Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime: July 1 - August 1; Runoff: May 1 - June 15)

Gallatin River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

39

Yellow Dog Flyfishing's Tip of the Week

Nymphing with large stonefly nymphs and worms has been the best way to catch fish with the slightly off color water. Perdigons have worked well too. Keep an eye out for rising fish as the spring hatches take flight.

Directions open in app

Map of Gallatin River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Firehole Ranch
Madison Valley Ranch
Fins & Feathers
Long Outfitting

5-Day Outlook as of 4/20/26

The river is running green. Very warm at the beginning of the week with cold temperatures and maybe snow expected by Thursday. Low temperatures drop down around freezing so it will still be worth waiting until the water warms to get out there.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/20/26

Nymph fishing will be the best option. Small black Stonefly nymphs or bwo nymphs or worms. A skwala dry fly with perdigon will be the second best option. Streamers might work. Fish have been looking up here and there to BWO's, Caddis, and March Browns.

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime: July 1 - August 1; Runoff: May 1 - June 15)

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

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    Rocky Mountian Whitefish

Yellow Dog Flyfishing's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Stonefly Peacock 12
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig Olive 16
Bubba's NBK Sculpin Natural 8-10
Bead Head Prince Black 12
Pat's Rubberleg Brown 10-14
BWO Comparadun Peacock 16
Bead Head Stonefly Brown 10
La Fontaine Sparkle Pupa Orange 6
Lite Brite Perdigon Purple 14

Bead Head Stonefly

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Yellow Dog Flyfishing's Recommended Gear

Description: About Gallatin River

The Gallatin River is a classic western freestone river. It begins its journey in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, flows through the scenic Gallatin Canyon passing the town of Big Sky, and eventually into the Gallatin Valley where it meets the Madison and Jefferson Rivers to form the Missouri. The Gallatin is characterized by its beautiful surroundings, easy access for wade fishing and abundance of rainbow trout, brown trout, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The Gallatin offers year-round fishing opportunities and anglers can be successful with dries, nymphs, or streamers.

Nearest Airport:

Gallatin Field Airport (BZN), Bozeman, Montana

Hatches:

Midges, Skwalas, BWO's

Best Time to Fish:

Mid Day

Best Stretch:

Canyon

Best Access:

Any of the turnouts throughout the Canyon.