West Yellowstone Montana Fishing
Fishing Under a Rainbow
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Welcome to the TROUT CAPITAL OF THE U.S.
Within a fifty-mile radius of West Yellowstone are some of the country's top rivers: the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, and the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. A short drive into Yellowstone Park brings you to the upper Madison, the Firehole, and the Gibbon Rivers. Yellowstoneland offers a multitude of small lakes and streams which await the ambitious angler. High-quality lake fishing is available on Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake as well as Henry's Lake and Island Park Reservoir in Idaho, all a short drive away.
Who knows how to fish the Madison River best? Madison River Guides - local "big fish" experts.
West Yellowstone's legendary shop for more than 50 years. Guide service, gear, expert advice & more.
Just as our name implies, MRO is "the" outfitter for Madison River fly fishermen. Come see why.
Fly fish exclusive Idaho rivers: The Teton, South Fork of the Snake & Henry's Fork. All inclusive.
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Fishing near West Yellowstone, Montana
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SPRING SEASON: Late May to June 20th
Each year in late May, on the Saturday before Memorial Day, the general fishing season opens in Yellowstone National Park. The Firehole River, named for its many geysers and hot springs, is one of the best early season streams in which to entice that acrobatic rainbow or cagey brown. Small dry flies like the Pale Morning Parachute, will work best.
Another great fishery in full swing in early June is the Henrys Fork of the Snake River. Known for its great mix of water types, prolific hatches of aquatic insects, and some of the best dry fly fishing in the world. On the 15th of June the fishing in Yellowstone Lake opens for the season. Fishing along the shoreline with a small nymph or Woolly Bugger will produce the Yellowstone Black Spotted Cutthroat Trout that are Native to the Yellowstone drainage.
SUMMER SEASON: June 20 to August 1
The upper Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon Rivers in the Park, are good choices during late June and the first part of July. Small mayflies and caddis will hatch almost every morning and evening. Great evening hatches of caddis and Rusty Spinners bring the big fish to the surface.
July has been noted as the Month The Madison Goes Wild. Usually, around the last week of June and over the Fourth of July weekend, the renowned Salmon Fly Hatch will start on the lower Madison River. Each day, the giant Stone Fly hatch will progress upstream from Ennis, MT. The trout will feed on either the nymph or the adult stage of this large aquatic insect. Mid-July offers an abundance of fishable water. Alpine Lakes are open and in prime shape for the back-country fisherman. All of the smaller rivers and streams have warmed and cleared, and will have good hatches of insects.
July l5th is the normal opening of the Yellowstone River within Yellowstone Park. From its outlet at Yellowstone Lake to the Upper Falls, the river is a large body of water with an even flow. Here the river parallels the road for approximately twelve miles. This unique fishery is in reality a wild native hatchery of Yellowstone Black Spotted Cutthroat Trout averaging in size from l4 to l8. This portion of the upper Yellowstone River has insect hatches which are quite predictable, and the brilliant Cutthroats are not usually selective. If you like large trout rising to dry flies and lots of insects hatching, the Upper Yellowstone River is a must.
LATE SUMMER: August 1 to August 31
August brings low-water conditions and a change in tactics for the fisherman. The upper Madison River, Firehole River, and many of our small streams are low and clear. Using Grasshoppers, Ants, Crickets, and other terrestrial imitations will produce some great mid-day fishing. Trophy-size trout will take up feeding stations near the banks of rivers and streams to inhale grasshoppers which have fallen in the water. Remember, late summer is the prime time for all small streams. Here in Yellowstoneland, just about all rivers, streams and even rivulets have a population of wild native trout. Starting in the high elevations of Yellowstone, and flowing north into Montana along Highway l9l, the Gallatin River is a clear, cold mountain stream. Due to the late runoff and cold temperature, the Gallatin River is most productive from mid-July through late Fall.
EARLY FALL: September 1 to Sept. 20th
Because of the cooler conditions in the high country at this time of year, much of the insect activity is focused during the middle of the day. Small mayflies and some caddis can hatch on the Firehole, Madison, Henrys Fork, and many of our smaller streams.
About September 10th the brown trout in Hebgen Lake will have started their annual spawning run. The average size spawner is from two to three pounds. The Platte River, Light Spruce, and the Woolley Bugger are my favorite flies.
LATE FALL: Sept 20 to Oct. 31
Along with the fall run of brown trout out of Hebgen Lake, we have a fall run of large rainbow trout. These fall run rainbows will also average from two to three pounds with some larger. Most of the fishing in late fall is on the upper Madison River near West Yellowstone. The Firehole, Gibbon and the South Fork of the Madison also have fall runs of brown trout.
West Yellowstone, MT Weather
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Other pages you might find helpful:
Friends of the Bighorn River
Friends of the Bighorn River strives to protect its fishery by fighting the recommendation to lower water flow levels. The organization updates its website often with news releases and information.
Internet Angling Club
The Internet Angling Club provides on online metting room for fellow anglers to share stories, reports, and information.
Montana Hunting and Fishing Journal
The Montana Hunting and Fishing Journal is an online resource for hunters and fishermen to find information on seasons, licenses, regulations, reports, and gear reviews.
Protect Your Waters
How You Can Conserve Fisheries of the Greater Yellowstone Region.
Wyoming Fishing Information
Jackson Hole Wyoming fishing page.
