Yellowstone River Facts

Location:

The Yellowstone River is born high in a remote part of Yellowstone National Park.  If flows north, exiting Yellowstone Park at Gardiner, Montana.  From there, the Yellowstone River flows up Paradise Valley to Livingston.  

After Livingston, the river turns northeast to join the Missouri River near the North Dakota border, over 600 miles away.  The Yellowstone River is not dammed, making it the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48. 

Features:

The Yellowstone is one of the most famous rivers in Montana; some would argue it is the most famous.  It is little wonder why, as the Yellowstone offers beautiful scenery and great fishing.  The Yellowstone is a wide river, measuring between 75 and 300 feet across.  Floating is the best way to fish the Yellowstone.  There are some places you can wade, but the best water is reached by boat. 

From the Wyoming/Montana border to Paradise Valley, the Yellowstone flows through a narrow corridor which includes the rapids of Yankee Jim Canyon.  The terrain opens up in the spectacular Paradise Valley.  The valley is aptly named.  The Paradise Valley section sees the most fishing pressure on the Yellowstone. 

Below Livingston, trout populations thin, as does fishing pressure.  There are still lots of fish in this section, including some decent trout.  Rainbows, browns, and cutthroats make up the trout selection on the Yellowstone.  The river also holds impressive numbers of mountain whitefish, so be prepared to catch some. 

Seasonal
Strategies:

Due to the length of the Yellowstone and the diverse character of the different sections of the river, a detailed report on each area is best obtained from a local fly shop.  Generally speaking, look for Baetis in April and May, September and October. 

Caddis hatch from May to August, and in October.  Mayflies are on and off from April to August.  March Browns play an important role in pre-runoff fishing.  Golden Stone, Salmonflies and Green Drakes hatch around the time the river clears and drops, around mid to late July.  The Mother’s Day Caddis hatch can be spectacular, particularly on the stretch from Livingston to Big Timber. 

Being successful on the Yellowstone generally entails being flexible and willing to adjust your strategy depending on the situation.  Fall is a good time to nab a spawning rainbow on a big streamer. 

Special Regulations:

There are many regulations in effect for the Yellowstone River, check with a local fly shop before fishing. 

Catch and release all cutthroat trout. 

Access and River Mileage:

Access to the Yellowstone is very good, with boat launches every few miles. 

Floating the Yellowstone is recommended, as the best water can hardly be reached when wading. 

Special Cautions:

Strong currents exist for waders all year long.  Upriver winds can be very strong at times, making floating and casting a pain. 

The only dangerous whitewater on the Yellowstone River is in Yankee Jim Canyon.  Do not attempt this unless you are an experienced oarsman.