Bozeman & Livingston
About this
Bozeman and Livingston sit between the Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone rivers in southwest Montana, north of Yellowstone National Park.
Destination hub · 28 mi away in a straight line
Jefferson River
- Type
- Freestone river, Montana (West)
- Designation
- Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey) · Special-regulation trout water
- USGS gauges
- 2 live
- Guides
- 12 name it
- Shops
- 3 nearby
Today on the Jefferson River
Reading the gauge…
The Jefferson River is a freestone river in Montana, listed as Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey) by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
More about the Jefferson River
2 USGS gauges on the water report flow; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks lists 15 species, including arctic grayling, brook trout and brown trout. 14 guides and 3 shops nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Bozeman & Livingston.
Photo credit
The Jefferson River near Waterloo, Montana, in January. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where it is
Jefferson River is a freestone river in Montana. Our destination hub Bozeman & Livingston is 28 mi away in a straight line and lists it among its waters.
Flow now at 2 gauges
Reading the gauges…
Follow Jefferson River for flow alerts
Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.
Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.
Where to fish
About this
Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Jefferson River on the map
About this
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of Jefferson River: gauges, shops and guides
Map of Jefferson River with 2 USGS gauges, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.
Restrooms near Jefferson River
Restrooms near Jefferson River
Restrooms within 2 miles of Jefferson River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
Map of the restroom near Jefferson River
Skip the map; every place is in the list belowMap of 1 restroom near Jefferson River, numbered as in the list, with the water’s point marked.
Restroom
2.0 mi away in a straight line- Public (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
More water near Jefferson River
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Photo credit
The upper Gallatin River in the Yellowstone National Park section of the Gallatin valley. Photo: NPS / Diane Renkin, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not East Gallatin RiverPhoto credit
The upper section of DePuy Spring Creek near Livingston, Montana, in January. Photo: Mike Cline, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not East Gallatin River.
East Gallatin River
Montana · about 61 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Bozeman CreekPhoto credit
The lower Yellowstone River at the Badlands Fishing Access Site near Terry, eastern Montana (far downstream of the Paradise Valley trout water). Photo: Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Bozeman Creek.
Bozeman Creek
Montana · about 63 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Hyalite ReservoirPhoto credit
Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Hyalite Reservoir.
Hyalite Reservoir
Montana · about 67 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Hyalite LakePhoto credit
Henrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Hyalite Lake.
Hyalite Lake
Montana · about 68 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Dailey LakePhoto credit
Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon. Photo: icetsarina, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Dailey Lake.
Dailey Lake
Montana · about 77 mi
Regulations
About this
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
- FISHMT :: Waterbody DetailsMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-14
- Montana fishing regulationsMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-14
- Montana fish stocking dataMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-14
2 official designations
Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.
- Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
On the Montana's most-fished waters (FWP statewide angling pressure estimates, 2023 license year, top 250 by state rank) list (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, read 2026-11-05). All waters with this designation
- state rank 71, 11,019 angler days (2023)
- Special-regulation trout water
On the District Exceptions to Standard Regulations (trout / gear rules) list (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, read 2026-11-05). All waters with this designation
The water on the map
About this
Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.
- Length
- 74.4 mi (72.7 in MT)
- Drains
- 10,440 sq mi
- Drop
- 576 ft · 7.7 ft/mi
- Flows into
- Missouri River
- Watershed
- Jefferson, Beaverhead
Public land along it
About this
Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
3.1 of 72.7 mi on public land
- Butte Field OfficeBureau of Land Management · 0.8 mi
- Dillon Field OfficeBureau of Land Management · 0.7 mi
- Lewis and Clark Caverns State ParkState Fish and Wildlife · 0.7 mi
- Silver Star Fishing Access SiteState Fish and Wildlife · 0.4 mi
- Kountz Bridge Fishing Access SiteState Fish and Wildlife · 0.3 mi
- Mayflower Bridge Fishing Access SiteState Fish and Wildlife · 0.2 mi
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Guides and shops near Jefferson River
About this
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
12 guides name it on their website
Guides
Four Rivers Fishing Company
Twin Bridges, MT · 5 mi
Beginners & lessons · Multi-day trips · Madison & Missouri
- Unclaimed
Names this water
Anderson & Platt Outfitters
Dillon, MT · 29 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Madison & Big Hole
- Unclaimed
Names this water
Camp Creek Outfitters
Ennis, MT · 33 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Madison & Blackfoot
- Unclaimed
Names this water
Wild Ace Outfitters
Ennis, MT · 34 mi
Beginners & lessons · Madison & Yellowstone
- Unclaimed
Names this water
Hooked Outfitting
Ennis, MT · 35 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Madison & Missouri
- Unclaimed
Names this water
Fins & Feathers Guide Service
Bozeman, MT · 55 mi
Wade trips · Beginners & lessons · Madison & Gallatin
- Unclaimed
Names this water
Montana Fishing Guide School
Gallatin Gateway, MT · 58 mi
Wade trips · Drift boat · Madison & Gallatin
- Unclaimed
Names this water
Montana Angler
Bozeman, MT · 63 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Madison & Gallatin
- Unclaimed
Names this water
3 shops nearby
Species and hatches
About this
The species the agency lists here; presence varies by reach and season.
Listed by the state agency
Rainbow trout
Species guide
Photo credit
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brown trout
Species guide
Photo credit
Brown trout (Salmo trutta), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service illustration. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brook trout
Species guide
Photo credit
Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Arctic grayling
Species guide
Photo credit
Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus), painting by Robert W. Hines for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Robert W. Hines, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Common carp
Species guide
Photo credit
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern pike
Species guide
Photo credit
Northern pike (Esox lucius), illustration by Timothy Knepp for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Timothy Knepp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Burbot
- Longnose Dace
- Longnose Sucker
- Mottled Sculpin
- Mountain Sucker
- Mountain Whitefish
- Redside Shiner
- Stonecat
- White Sucker
When the bugs come off
About this chart
5 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
- January: no charted hatch
- February: no charted hatch
- March: no charted hatch
- April: no charted hatch
- May: 3 charted hatches
- June: 2 charted hatches
- July: 2 charted hatches
- August: 1 charted hatch
- September: 1 charted hatch
- October: no charted hatch
- November: no charted hatch
- December: no charted hatch
Mother's Day caddis (Grannom) (May) · Salmonfly (May to June) · Salmonfly (May to July) · Salmonfly (July) · Trico (August to September)
Fish these abroad
About this
Matched on the fish the agencies list for both waters first, then the same water type, an official designation or flagship listing on both, and a similar mapped size where USGS hydrography covers both.
At most two waters per country. A shared fish is a listing, not a promise: presence varies by reach and season.
Like the Jefferson River? Same fish, overseas.
Flagship waterPhoto credit
The Tongariro River from the Tree Trunk Gorge track. Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Flagship waterPhoto credit
Daybreak on the Nipigon River. Photo: Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Freestone riverPhoto credit
The Sava Dolinka below the confluence with Beli potok. Photo: Savinjc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Flagship waterPhoto credit
The Clutha River / Mata-Au at Albert Town, near the Hāwea confluence. Photo: Photo by Lewis: Verduyn-Cassels, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Upper Clutha River / Mata-Au
Otago, New Zealand
Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river
Freestone riverPhoto credit
The Credit River at Streetsville. Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Flagship waterPhoto credit
The River Moy at Banada Priory. Photo: Andreas F. Borchert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fish it when it's winter here
Southern seasons open while ours close.
Flagship waterPhoto credit
Penstock Lagoon, Central Highlands, Tasmania. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Freestone riverRepresentative photo · not Río PetrohuéPhoto credit
The Río Puelo at Las Gualas, Cochamó. Photo: Nicolás from seno de reloncaví, Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Petrohué.
Lake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Lago LlanquihuePhoto credit
The Río Simpson passing Coyhaique, Aysén. Photo: Manxuc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lago Llanquihue.
Lake or reservoir
Flagship waterRepresentative photo · not Mataura RiverPhoto credit
The Oreti River near Lumsden, Southland. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mataura River.
Flagship waterPhoto credit
Great Lake, Tasmania. Photo: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gear checklist
About this
What to bring on a guided float fishing trip: rain gear, polarized sunglasses, sun protection, a dry bag and your license. Most guides supply rods and flies. Estimated prices and where to buy.
Guided float trip
Usually supplied by the guide; a 9′ 5–6 weight if you bring your own · Trout on most western float rivers
Open the checklistVideos for this water (5)
Watch: reading a trout stream
About this
Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
Watch: nymphing basics
About this
Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Fish Tales
About this
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Jefferson River.
No stories from here yet.
Sources for this page
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
All 19 sources and dates
A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge Jefferson River near Twin Bridges, MT. Water type is our own classification.
- FISHMT :: Waterbody DetailsMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-14
- Montana fishing regulationsMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-14
- Montana fish stocking dataMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-14
- Montana FWP fishing access sitesMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-14
- Montana's most-fished waters (FWP statewide angling pressure estimates, 2023 license year, top 250 by state rank) (official list)Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-11-05
- District Exceptions to Standard Regulations (trout / gear rules) (official list)Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-11-05
- NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies)U.S. Geological Survey · checked 2026-11-04
- Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public accessU.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project · checked 2026-11-05
- USGS gauge 06026500: Jefferson River near Twin Bridges, MTU.S. Geological Survey · checked 2026-10-21
- USGS gauge 06036650: Jefferson River near Three Forks MTU.S. Geological Survey · checked 2026-10-21
- Overture Maps places (guide map points)Overture Maps Foundation, CDLA-Permissive 2.0 · checked 2026-09-30
- Statistics documentation (percentiles of daily mean discharge)U.S. Geological Survey · checked 2026-10-15
- hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema)U.S. Geological Survey · checked 2026-10-15
- Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major floodingNational Weather Service · checked 2026-10-15
- Turn Around Don't DrownNational Weather Service · checked 2026-10-15
- “Giving a hoot”, Montana Outdoors (July–August 2024)Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-22
- Drought and fishingMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-22
- Additional fishing restrictions begin July 22 on several Montana rivers (21 July 2026)Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-22
- Current waterbody restrictionsMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · checked 2026-10-22