Winter has arrived here in southwest Montana. Snow now is essential for good summer time streamflows, but even with winter now taking over there is still fishing to be had. If you still want to get in some streamer fishing, now is a great time to finish the fishing season strong. Many of our rivers and streams can provide decent winter fly fishing options, but some are better than others. Read some of our recent blog posts featuring: 5 Tips to Improve Your Fly Fishing with Streamers or Winter Fly Fishing Options Near Bozeman. Our tailwater fisheries of the Upper Madison and Missouri Rivers are good bets right now while our freestone rivers like the Gallatin and Yellowstone Rivers are still hanging in there but will soon have shelf ice and where you can fish safely will be limited to certain sections. If you are looking for consistently solid options for winter fly fishing near Bozeman, they are the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks because they have a consistent water temperature of 52 degrees 365 days of the year. For adventurous anglers, there are two options in Yellowstone National Park that are open year-round, but soon they will most likely be snow covered or unsafe to fish because of shelf-ice.
Southwest Montana Fishing Reports Overview
- Good
Winter is here on our local rivers near Bozeman and Big Sky. Check out a recent blog post on Winter Fly Fishing Tips That Go Beyond Just Dressing Warm and then go fishing! That doesn't mean we have hung up the waders and the rods until March. In fact, many of our rivers can fish quite well in winter...
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
- Fair
Winter is here on the Yellowstone River which means the big-time trophy trout hunters might have to wait another year before the behomoths really chase streamers again. For those anglers desiring their Yellowstone River trophy, this weekend might could still work as the forecast highs are going to...
Upper Madison River Fishing Report
- Good
Winter has finally hit the Upper Madison. With the latest cold snap and snow, winter is here to stay in the Madison Valley. The fishing is now going to shift to winter-like fishing compared to what we've seen the past several weeks. Hatches of Blue-Winged Olives are done and the streamer bite has...
Lower Madison River Fishing Report
- Good
The Lower Madison is a very consistent option for winter fishing near Bozeman and Big Sky right now. The Lower Madison has been outstanding on good days and good enough on slow days. This is always a good winter choice as long as the wind isn’t blowing too hard. Severe cold snaps can also cause the...
Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Winter fly fishing in the Big Sky and Bozeman area on the Gallatin River is as consistent as any winter fishery as any in the area. Additionally, the flows on the Gallatin River in winter are low, which means the fish are concentrated in the deeper runs, pockets, and holes. Because the Gallatin...
Montana Spring Creeks Fishing Report
- Good
The Livingston creeks ( Armstrong's and DePuy's) are a great option in the winter. Since these fisheries are fed by ground water they have higher than normal water temps in the cold weather month. Nymphing is the best option with a sow bug and a midge larva a good combination. Fly selection isn’t as...
Stillwater River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Stillwater River is low but trout are moving into the deeper slots and nymphing has been productive. This is a colder river and once the temperatures drop a bit more the big ice shelves will form, but the warmer weather has kept many of the ice shelves and slush from forming...
Boulder River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Boulder River near Big Timber and half way to Billings is running clear and cold right now, but is a viable winter option if the ice shelves don't get too large or dangerous. Fishing is still good but requires a stealthier approach and a decent cast to get to fish before they...
Jefferson River Fishing Report
- Fair
The Jefferson gets significant ice shelves in the winter but these still haven’t developed and the Jefferson could be a decent option for any adventuresome angler. We haven’t been over there recently but I bet it is pretty decent right now. This will be off the market as soon as some colder nights...
East Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Fair
The East fishes more like a spring creek than a freestone stream in the winter months. The numerous spring creeks and springs that feed the river in the lower valley keep ice shelves at bay and this is a decent winter fishery for locals. Definitely focus on the bigger and deeper runs that will be...
Missouri River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Winter has finally come to the Missouri River near Wolf Creek and Craig. That is not a bad thing as winter on the Missouri River can be a fun time to fish the river without the hustle of summer. Hatches are minimal and will mostly only consist of midges. Blue-Winged Olives are pretty much done...
Ruby River Fishing Report
- Good
The Ruby River in winter can fish well. The Ruby is a unique option as it is kind of like a tailwater and kind of like a freestone. The water below the reservoir stays open all year and can produce some decent dry fly fishing over midge hatches on a mild day. Nymphing or slow stripping dark...
Montana Lakes Fishing Report
- Good
Time to bring out the augers! Current Conditions: Not a good option until spring The Month Ahead: Not much Long Term Fishing Forecast: Ice out is from April until June depending on the elevation of the lake and is always a great time to site fish to cruising trout or strip streamers for trophies.
Small Streams Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The smaller streams around Montana are cold and difficult to fish in winter, spring creeks such as DePuy's and Armstrong's and the larger waters like the Madison and Missouri Rivers are a better option. Small mountain streams are a better mid summer option. Early spring will...