Montana / West
Yellowstone River
A practical Yellowstone River report for the Paradise Valley and Livingston corridor, with flow, hatches, access, regulations, and safe-day planning.
Image: Yellowstone River - Sidney Montana - 2013-07-03 / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Tim EvansonFishability now: Yellowstone River fishability today
GreatData confidence: High96/100
Fishable now because the live gauge is falling, weather is mild, and no public alert is active.
Flow observed
4:00 PM UTC
Weather observed
5:00 PM UTC
Score calculated
5:25 PM UTC
Why this rating
Flow
Water temperature
Public alerts
Next 6-12 hours
Improving / hold
A falling gauge and usable weather should keep the next 6-12 hours in play unless tributaries stain or heat builds.
USGS flow
9,850 cfs
Current trend: flow falling, rating likely holding strong unless weather or clarity changes.
More planning details: flies, flow bands, and live source checks
Fish it today
Start here
Start with the Livingston gauge, current restrictions, and one access pair such as a Livingston-area or Mallard's Rest plan. Then decide whether the day is a nymph, dry-dropper, hopper, or streamer window.
Best flow clue
Use RiverReports and USGS 06192500 near Livingston together. Dropping post-runoff water and cool stable mornings are the cleanest windows; rising dirty water or hot low conditions should move the plan to another river or a shorter safe edge.
Skip trigger
Skip or pivot when runoff is rising, FWP restrictions are active, water temperatures make trout handling poor, wind makes boat control unsafe, or the public access and takeout plan is not clear.
Flow decision bands
Low but fishable
Low clear Paradise Valley water can still fish, but wind, spooky trout, and warm afternoons should shorten the plan and favor careful edge water.
Best dropping-runoff window
Dropping Livingston flow with cool clear water is the cleanest signal for nymphs, dries, hoppers, and short streamer windows.
Pushy, dirty, or unsafe
Rising runoff, dirty water, or wind strong enough to break the boat or wade plan should move the day to another river.
Heat or restriction caution
A big fishable-looking graph still becomes a poor trout decision when FWP restrictions, unsafe boat control, or hot water change the risk.
USGS flow
9,850 cfs
Current trend: flow falling, rating likely holding strong unless weather or clarity changes.
Live USGS flow
9,880 cfs / falling about 22%
Live NWS forecast
62F / Sunny
Live water temperature
50F from USGS
No NWS alert flag
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Use the Livingston gauge for Paradise Valley and town-section planning.
Check Montana FWP current restrictions before committing to a trout day.
Fish banks, shelves, and soft inside seams instead of trying to cover the whole river.
Expect different rules and species issues as you move from the upper trout corridor to lower river water.
Editorial review
How this report is maintained
This Yellowstone River report is maintained from RiverReports and USGS Livingston flow data, Montana FWP fishing regulations, central district rules, current closure and restriction sources, stream-access law, FishMT and Mallard's Rest access information, Yellowstone National Park fishing context, weather, media-credit, and Paradise Valley freestone planning guidance.
Byline
BlueStreamFly editorial team
Reviewed by
BlueStreamFly source review
Maintained by
Mountain Brook Run LLC
Last material review
2026-05-31
Report confidence
High confidence
91/100
High confidence: RiverReports, USGS Livingston flow, Montana FWP rules and restrictions, stream-access law, FishMT and Mallard's Rest access support, park context, and weather support the page. Confidence is moderated by broad reach scope, runoff, wind, boat traffic, and heat restrictions.
Regulations
Montana FWP regulations, central district rules, current restrictions, and park fishing context support the legal-check path.
Access
Stream-access law, FishMT waterbody context, and Mallard's Rest information support public planning, while reach-by-reach launches and private banks still need day-of checks.
Flow and weather
RiverReports Yellowstone River near Livingston is backed by USGS 06192500 and provides a strong big-river trend, but runoff color and valley wind can still change the practical call.
Fishing usefulness
The page now separates runoff timing, wind, float versus wade choice, public access pairing, heat caution, and backup-water decisions.
Fishability dashboard and source review
2026-05-31 / material content or source review
RiverReports Yellowstone River near Livingston, USGS 06192500, Montana FWP regulations and current restrictions, Montana stream-access law, FishMT Yellowstone River and Mallard's Rest access information, Yellowstone National Park fishing context, and the National Weather Service point were checked before updating the current-fishability decision layer.
2026-05-31
Updated Yellowstone River to the current fishability-page standard with runoff-aware flow bands, access cards, backup cues, stable fishability SEO, and confidence signals.
2026-05-28
Added Livingston and Paradise Valley trip fit, runoff and heat skip cues, wade-versus-float framing, park-versus-Montana boundary nuance, access and pressure notes, backup-water suggestions, editorial review signals, and a page-specific report-confidence meter after source review.
2026-05-25
Initial source-reviewed report published with flows, weather, hatches, flies, tactics, access, regulations, and FAQs.
Angler planning edge
Local details that change the plan
Best for
Paradise Valley anglers planning a Livingston-area freestone day around flow, clarity, wind, heat, and access, Float or wade trips where RiverReports, USGS, FWP restrictions, stream access, and park boundary context all need to be checked, Stonefly, caddis, PMD, hopper, streamer, and fall BWO windows when the river is stable enough to read, Anglers comparing the Yellowstone with the Gallatin, Madison, or Missouri when runoff or heat changes the best option
Wade or float
Treat the Yellowstone near Livingston as big mixed wade-and-float water. Choose a reach, access pair, and safety plan first, because flow, wind, private banks, and boat pressure can matter more than fly selection.
Best flows
Use RiverReports and USGS 06192500 near Livingston together. Dropping post-runoff water and cool stable mornings are the cleanest windows; rising dirty water or hot low conditions should move the plan to another river or a shorter safe edge.
When to skip
Skip or pivot when runoff is rising, FWP restrictions are active, water temperatures make trout handling poor, wind makes boat control unsafe, or the public access and takeout plan is not clear.
Local plan
Start with the Livingston gauge, current restrictions, and one access pair such as a Livingston-area or Mallard's Rest plan. Then decide whether the day is a nymph, dry-dropper, hopper, or streamer window.
Pressure
Pressure follows famous hatch windows, guide traffic, and easy valley launches. Early starts, clean boat spacing, and a backup reach matter more than chasing every report of fish on top.
Access nuance
Montana stream-access law and FishMT sources support public planning, but park boundaries, private banks, islands, ramps, and takeout logistics still need exact day-of checks.
Backup water
If the Yellowstone is high, dirty, hot, windy, or crowded, compare the Gallatin for canyon wading, the Madison for a different west-side freestone, or the Missouri for steadier tailwater conditions.
About the river
Setting, character, and why it fishes the way it does.
The Yellowstone leaves Yellowstone National Park near Gardiner, cuts through Paradise Valley, and runs past Livingston before dropping into warmer lower river country. This page is scoped to the upper Montana trout corridor, where flow, temperature, access, and wind drive most fishing decisions.
The river is famous because it is big, wild, and still largely free flowing. That also means it does not fish like a small controlled tailwater. Runoff can be powerful, summer afternoons can warm up, and a safe wading line in one season can be a poor idea in another.
A useful Yellowstone plan starts with the gauge, but it also needs on-the-ground judgment: clarity, bank speed, FWP restrictions, boat traffic, and whether the reach you chose has clear public access.
Target species
Cutthroat trout
Key native trout in upper and connected water; handle carefully and check reach rules.
Rainbow trout
Common in riffles, shelves, and bank seams through the trout corridor.
Brown trout
Often the target for streamers, undercut banks, and lower-light edge water.
Mountain whitefish
An important native fish and a good sign of healthy coldwater habitat.
Smallmouth bass
A regulation-sensitive lower river issue; check FWP rules before moving downstream.
Reading the water
Stable and clear
Fish dry-droppers, caddis, PMDs, terrestrials, and streamer edges.
High or rising
Avoid aggressive wading and look for protected banks only if safe.
Runoff stain
Use large dark streamers or wait until clarity returns.
Warm water
Check restrictions, fish early, and stop trout fishing before handling becomes risky.
Best seasons
Spring
Pre-runoff windows can fish with nymphs, streamers, and early mayflies.
Early summer
Runoff drop brings salmonflies, golden stones, caddis, and heavy bank fishing.
Summer
Hoppers, ants, caddis, and mornings are useful with temperature checks.
Fall
BWOs, October caddis, and streamer days improve as water cools.
Preferred flow source
Yellowstone River near Livingston
RiverReports is the preferred chart source when coverage exists. When a matching USGS gauge exists, keep it open as the official backstop for station data and current hydrograph context.
USGS data chart
Official USGS trend
Streamflow over the latest USGS reporting window.
Latest
9,880 cfs
Jun 3, 4 PM UTC
Weather
River weather report
Weather can change wading safety, road access, water temperature, hatches, and the best time of day to fish.
Live forecast loads as you reach this section
This keeps the report fast while still using the official National Weather Service forecast point.
Hatches and flies
Hatch chart and fly picks
March to April
Skwalas, March Browns, BWOs, midges, and early stoneflies
Skwala dry, Pat's rubber legs, March Brown, BWO emerger, zebra midge
May to June
Runoff edges, salmonflies, golden stones, caddis, PMDs
Chubby Chernobyl, salmonfly dry, golden stone, caddis pupa, PMD emerger
July to August
Caddis, PMDs, hoppers, ants, beetles, nocturnal stones
Hopper-dropper, X-caddis, foam ant, beetle, small perdigon
September to October
Mahoganies, BWOs, October caddis, baitfish, fall streamer windows
Mahogany, BWO, October caddis, sculpin, leech
Stoneflies
Pat's rubber legs, Chubby Chernobyl, skwala, salmonfly, golden stone
Use before, during, and after stonefly movement or when trout hold tight to banks.
Mayflies and caddis
BWO, March Brown, PMD, caddis pupa, X-caddis
Use during spring and fall hatches or summer evening riffle feeding.
Terrestrials
Hoppers, ants, beetles, hopper-dropper rigs
Use during summer near grass, shade, undercuts, and slower bank seams.
Streamers
Sculpin, leech, sparkle minnow, small articulated streamer
Use in stained water, cloud cover, fall, or when larger trout hunt edges.
Tactics
How to fish it
Start with the Livingston gauge, then decide whether the day is better for floating, careful wading, or skipping the river.
Fish bank-soft spots and inside shelves with a large dry and a weighted dropper after runoff clears.
Use streamers on cloud cover, slight stain, or low light, but keep casts tight to structure.
Carry smaller caddis, PMDs, and BWOs for riffle pods when the river calms down.
Check FWP restrictions and smallmouth/cutthroat rules before fishing a different reach.
Rigging
Rod, leader, and setup notes
A 5-weight is enough for dry-dropper fishing; a 6-weight is better for wind, foam, and streamers.
Use 2X to 4X for large stoneflies and streamers, and 4X to 5X for smaller dries.
Bring a thermometer, wading staff, and a backup plan for hot or restricted afternoons.
Float anglers should confirm ramp conditions, shuttle logistics, and current FWP notices.
Wade anglers should avoid crossing heavy pushy current just to reach a bank line.
Access
Access and planning notes
Livingston gauge and access check
Primary big-river decisionWade / float / trail
Gauge / scout
When to pick it
Start here when flow trend, color, wind, and public access pairings decide whether the Yellowstone should be the main plan at all.
Caution
The gauge is essential, but it does not remove the need to confirm reach-by-reach launch, island, and private-bank details.
Mallard's Rest corridor
Known public access anchorWade / float / trail
Launch / bank / scout
When to pick it
Use it when you want a named public access with a cleaner Paradise Valley planning anchor for either a float or shorter bank session.
Caution
Do not assume one named site solves wind, takeout spacing, or every upstream and downstream property line.
Paradise Valley public pair
Reach-specific float or wade planWade / float / trail
Access pair / road scout
When to pick it
Pick this when the Livingston trend looks right and you already know which public put-in and takeout or bank corridor matches the day.
Caution
Crowding, private banks, and broad-river safety can erase the value of a good flow window quickly.
Montana stream access law allows public use below the ordinary high-water mark, but it does not allow crossing private land without permission.
Boat traffic, wind, and high water make this a poor beginner wade river at many flows.
Yellowstone National Park water has separate rules and permits upstream of the Montana reach.
Regulations
Check before fishing
Montana FWP regulations include reach-specific trout and smallmouth bass rules on the Yellowstone. Check FWP regulations, restrictions, and access information before fishing.
Primary base
Livingston, Emigrant, Pray, or Gardiner
Best day style
Fishing access sites, boat ramps, long riffles, shelves, and private-land boundaries
Check first
FWP restrictions, Livingston flow and temperature, wind, runoff, and legal access
Safety
Big freestone current, boats, summer heat, cold runoff, and changing channel edges
Gear
Helpful gear for this water
5-weight rod
Best all-around choice for dries, nymphs, and dry-dropper rigs.
6-weight rod
Useful for wind, bigger foam flies, streamers, and boat fishing.
Wading staff and belt
Large freestone rivers change footing fast.
Thermometer
Critical during summer heat and hoot-owl restriction season.
Polarized glasses
Help read shelves, buckets, and safe crossing points.
Nearby water
Other water to research
Backup logic
High or dirty water
Let runoff settle and compare the Gallatin, Madison, or Missouri instead of forcing a bad Yellowstone day.
Wind or boat-safety issue
Treat hard wind as a fishability limiter and move to a smaller canyon or tailwater option rather than gambling on the float.
Heat or restrictions
Fish only cool legal windows and pivot immediately if active FWP restrictions or hot water make trout handling poor.
Crowding or access mismatch
Use another public access pair or another river instead of turning one famous launch into the entire plan.
Gallatin River
A canyon freestone option when Yellowstone wind or runoff is poor.
Madison River at West Yellowstone
A nearby famous trout river with different flow and access timing.
Missouri River
A tailwater backup when freestones are high, dirty, or too warm.
FAQ
Fast answers
Is Yellowstone River fishable today?
Yellowstone River looks very fishable right now. The live score is 96/100, based on current flow, weather, public alerts, and the report's planning context. Recheck the linked gauge and forecast before leaving because conditions can change quickly after rain, heat, access changes, or flow swings.
What flow is best for Yellowstone River?
Use RiverReports and USGS 06192500 near Livingston together. Dropping post-runoff water and cool stable mornings are the cleanest windows; rising dirty water or hot low conditions should move the plan to another river or a shorter safe edge.
When should I skip Yellowstone River?
Skip or pivot when runoff is rising, FWP restrictions are active, water temperatures make trout handling poor, wind makes boat control unsafe, or the public access and takeout plan is not clear.
Is Yellowstone River safe to wade right now?
The fishability score is not a wading guarantee. Wade only where your chosen access has safe edges, clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings; high, rising, stained, or storm-affected water should be treated conservatively.
What should I check first before fishing the Yellowstone River?
Check RiverReports or USGS at Livingston, FWP restrictions, water temperature, wind, clarity, and the exact reach rules.
Are there special regulations on the Yellowstone River?
Yes. Rules differ by reach, especially for cutthroat and smallmouth bass. Use current Montana FWP regulations.
What flies should I bring for the Yellowstone River?
Bring the hatch-chart flies, a few confidence nymphs, and a streamer or warmwater box that matches the river's species. Then adjust for water temperature, clarity, and the insects or baitfish you actually see.
Can I wade the Yellowstone River?
Yes in public reaches, but it is big water. Wade conservatively and respect private-land boundaries.
When should I skip the Yellowstone River?
Skip it when flows are unsafe, water is too warm for trout, emergency closures are active, or legal access for the reach is not clear.
Sources
Source set for this report
Reviewed 2026-05-31