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Yellowstone 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
19 name it
Shops
6 nearby

Today on the Yellowstone River

Reading the gauge…

Regulations & access Guides & shops

The Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone River

2 USGS gauges on the water report flow; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks lists 59 species, including bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead and black crappie. 20 guides and 6 shops nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Bozeman & Livingston.

Updated · Sources: Montana's most-fished waters (FWP statewide angling pressure estimates, 2023 license year, top 250 by state rank), FISHMT :: Waterbody Details, USGS Water Data

The broad lower Yellowstone River bending past a sandbar below badland bluffs near Terry, Montana
Photo 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

Where it is

Yellowstone River is a freestone river in Montana. Our destination hub Bozeman & Livingston is 24 mi away in a straight line and lists it among its waters.

Flow now at 2 gauges
Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow Yellowstone 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.

Follow this water

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.

Montana FWP fishing access sites

Yellowstone River on the map

About this

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Map of Yellowstone River: gauges, shops and guides

RestroomsAccess map

Map of Yellowstone River with 2 USGS gauges, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Yellowstone River

Restrooms near Yellowstone River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone River

Skip the map; every place is in the list below

Map of 1 restroom near Yellowstone River, numbered as in the list, with the water’s point marked.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

  1. Restroom

    1.5 mi away in a straight line
    • Vault or pit toilet (mapped)

    Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.

    Directions
    We don't know yet: is it clean? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
    • Is it clean?
    • Free?
    • Open to everyone?
    • 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 Yellowstone River

  • DePuy Spring Creek flowing clear through winter grass and bare trees, with mountains behindSpring creek
    Photo credit

    The upper section of DePuy Spring Creek near Livingston, Montana, in January. Photo: Mike Cline, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    DePuy Spring Creek

    Montana · about 1 mi

    Rainbow, brown & cutthroat trout

  • The Boulder River running open between snowy banks and bare cottonwoods in Sweet Grass CountyAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not West Boulder River
    Photo credit

    The Boulder River in Sweet Grass County, Montana, in February. Photo: USDA NRCS Montana, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not West Boulder River.

    West Boulder River

    Montana · about 13 mi

  • Ennis Lake partly iced over in early spring, with the snow-covered Madison Range across the waterAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Hyalite Reservoir
    Photo 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 21 mi

  • The upper Gallatin River meandering through a green meadow below forested hillsAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Bozeman Creek
    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 Not Bozeman Creek.

    Bozeman Creek

    Montana · about 22 mi

  • Marshy shallows at the edge of Henrys Lake, with the Henrys Lake Mountains behindAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Hyalite Lake
    Photo 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 24 mi

  • Lake Billy Chinook filling a basalt canyon, with layered rimrock cliffs along the waterAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Dailey Lake
    Photo credit

    Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon. Photo: icetsarina, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Dailey Lake.

    Dailey Lake

    Montana · about 26 mi

Sources Montana FWP fishing access sitesOverture Maps places (guide map points)

Where the map point comes from

Position: the USGS gauge Yellowstone River near Livingston, MT.

The map shows USGS gauges (tap one for its flow reading), and shops and guides within 40 miles that publish a street address on their own website. Everyone else is in the lists below.

Regulations

About this

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

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, bass.

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.

  • Yellowstone National ParkNational Park Service
  • Billings Field OfficeBureau of Land Management
  • Gallatin National ForestForest Service
  • Homestead Isle Fishing Access SiteState Fish and Wildlife
  • Butte Field OfficeBureau of Land Management
  • Two Moon ParkCounty Land
  • Montana State Trust LandsUnknown
  • Loch Leven Fishing Access SiteState Fish and Wildlife

+1 smaller areas

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Yellowstone 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.

19 guides name it on their website

Guides

All Montana guides

6 shops nearby

All Montana shops

How these are chosen

Guides whose own website names this water come first, nearest first. Distances are straight-line.

Shops: fly shops first. A distance is shown when the shop’s website gives its location (within 60 miles); otherwise the shop is in one of the towns within 25 miles of the water.

Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories.

Species and hatches

About this

The species the agency lists here; presence varies by reach and season.

Listed by the state agency

  • Bigmouth Buffalo
  • Black Bullhead
  • Blue Sucker
  • Bluegill
  • Brassy Minnow
  • Brook Stickleback
  • Burbot
  • Channel Catfish
  • Cisco
  • Creek Chub
  • Emerald Shiner
  • Fathead Minnow

And 43 more on the agency page.

When the bugs come off

Regional hatch months: Northern Rockies
About this chart

5 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

  1. January: no charted hatch
  2. February: no charted hatch
  3. March: no charted hatch
  4. April: no charted hatch
  5. May: 3 charted hatches
  6. June: 2 charted hatches
  7. July: 2 charted hatches
  8. August: 1 charted hatch
  9. September: 1 charted hatch
  10. October: no charted hatch
  11. November: no charted hatch
  12. December: no charted hatch

Mother's Day caddis (Grannom) (May) · Salmonfly (May to June) · Salmonfly (May to July) · Salmonfly (July) · Trico (August to September)

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 · 24 mi away in a straight line

Open the hubPlan a trip here

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 Yellowstone River? Same fish, overseas.

  • The Tongariro River running clear over boulders between steep native bushFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The Tongariro River from the Tree Trunk Gorge track. Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Tongariro River

    Waikato, New Zealand

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river

  • Daybreak light over the calm, dark Nipigon River between wooded banksFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Daybreak on the Nipigon River. Photo: Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Nipigon River

    Ontario, Canada

    Same fish: brook trout & northern pike · also a freestone river

  • The Sava Dolinka braiding over pale gravel between willows and spruce below the Julian AlpsFreestone river
    Photo credit

    The Sava Dolinka below the confluence with Beli potok. Photo: Savinjc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Sava Dolinka

    Gorenjska, Slovenia

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river

  • The clear blue-green upper Clutha running past golden autumn poplars at Albert TownFlagship water
    Photo 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

  • The Credit River running over a shallow bed under a leaning tree at StreetsvilleFreestone river
    Photo credit

    The Credit River at Streetsville. Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Credit River

    Ontario, Canada

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river

  • Evening sun on the green banks of the River Moy at BanadaFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The River Moy at Banada Priory. Photo: Andreas F. Borchert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    River Moy

    Mayo, Ireland

    Same fish: brown trout · also a freestone river

Fish it when it's winter here

Southern seasons open while ours close.

  • Lake Taupō's blue water framed by yellow kōwhai and bush, hills across the lakeFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Lake Taupō. Photo: Ériugena, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lake Taupō

    Waikato, New Zealand

    Season open all year · DOC

  • Penstock Lagoon's open water below a shoreline of tall eucalyptsFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Penstock Lagoon, Central Highlands, Tasmania. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Penstock Lagoon

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open Aug–May · Inland Fisheries Service

  • The clear turquoise Río Limay flowing past green willows and rock outcropsTailwater
    Photo credit

    The Río Limay, Argentina. Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Río Limay

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Nov–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The broad blue-green Río Puelo between forested banks, mountains beyondFreestone riverRepresentative photo · not Río Petrohué
    Photo 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.

    Río Petrohué

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • The Río Simpson running past the edge of Coyhaique under cliffs and hills in AysénLake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Lago Llanquihue
    Photo credit

    The Río Simpson passing Coyhaique, Aysén. Photo: Manxuc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lago Llanquihue.

    Lago Llanquihue

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • Lago Nahuel Huapi's blue water and wooded islands below snow-capped Andes, framed by conifersLake or reservoir
    Photo credit

    Lago Nahuel Huapi from Llao Llao. Photo: David, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lago Nahuel Huapi

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Oct–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The braided Oreti River across green farmland, mountains on the horizonFlagship waterRepresentative photo · not Mataura River
    Photo credit

    The Oreti River near Lumsden, Southland. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mataura River.

    Mataura River

    Southland, New Zealand

    Season open Oct–Apr · Fish & Game NZ

  • Old timber pilings reflected in the still water of Great Lake, a low wooded shore beyondFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Great Lake, Tasmania. Photo: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Yingina / Great Lake

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open all year · Inland Fisheries Service

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.

A woman rows a drift boat while a man stands in the bow and casts

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 checklist
Videos 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 Yellowstone River.

No stories from here yet.

Write the first story Share your day

Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

Something wrong?

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 Yellowstone River near Livingston, MT. Water type is our own classification.