Tight Lines! Fishing in Montana’s Yellowstone Country
Photo by Andy Austin
We’re entering peak fishing season here in Montana’s Yellowstone Country, the brief time after the spring runoff when the rivers have cleared, but before the summer heat causes us to ease off during the days when the fish can become stressed. It's a fantastic time of year and a great experience no matter the type of angling you enjoy.
Rivers in Montana's Yellowstone Country
Our region is considered a fly-fishing mecca, with eight stellar trout-fishing rivers: Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Shields, Stillwater, Boulder, Gardner and Jefferson. You’ll also find the headwaters of the Missouri River here, at Missouri Headwaters State Park. And on top of these iconic rivers, there are three private spring creeks in Paradise Valley: Armstrong, DuPuy and Nelson’s.
Mountain Lakes
And of course, fishing is also great at Cooney Reservoir, Hebgen, Hyalite and Quake lakes, although these water bodies are best fished from a vessel such as a boat, canoe or floatation device. Yellowstone National Park also has some prime fishing opportunities (keep in mind that you’ll need a specific fishing license to fish inside park boundaries).
Photo by Alexandra Wardwell
The Benefit of Fishing Guides
Even if you’re a seasoned angler, it’s always a good idea to hire a guide if you are new to the area. Not only will they help you orient to where the fish are, as these rivers can be tricky to navigate, and their knowledge is useful for finding the fish, but also as a practical safety precaution. You can find a list of guides and outfitters here.
Photo by Donnie Sexton
Licenses and Regulations
Montana law allows public access to all our rivers, but you’ll need permission to enter or cross private lands. Please be respectful and heed the stream access law so we can all continue to enjoy these waters.
Fishing licenses are available online — you will also need to purchase a conservation license if you plan to access state land. And if you have a watercraft, remember to keep it clean, drained and dry! Montana has done an exceptional job of keeping out Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), largely due to its AIS watercraft inspection stations, which have stopped hundreds of AIS-infested boats from entering its waters. If you come across a checkpoint, you must stop. (If you don’t, you will likely face law enforcement!)
Please be mindful of other people, don’t crowd other anglers, and be efficient yet friendly at boat launches. And finally, check the current fishing regulations before you go. When water temperatures get too high, Hoot Owl restrictions are enforced, which prohibit fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight each day.
We hope you enjoy your time on our pristine waters.
Tight lines!
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