Fall Fishing on the Yellowstone: Trout, Walleye, and Moonlit Nights on Montana's Iconic River

Artificial Lure, reporting in from the banks of the Yellowstone River here in Montana on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Sunrise came at 7:23 this morning and we’ll see sunset right around 4:38 this afternoon—short days, chilly air, and enough golden cottonwoods left to remind us autumn’s still here, for now. The weather’s been unusually mild for early November, with daytime highs in the lower 70s and overnight lows in the mid-40s, according to Emigrant weather reports. Some passing clouds and a 40% chance of occasional rain mean you’ll want to keep a rain shell handy. Winds are out of the south at 9 to 10 mph, with gusts possible into the afternoon, especially through Paradise Valley.

No tides to worry about out here—that’s one less thing to keep your mind on; just focus on flows and weather. River levels are holding steady after recent rains, with slightly higher flows sparking some extra bug activity and keeping trout on the prowl.

Fish activity’s been solid this week. Around Livingston, river temps have dropped and blue-winged olive hatches are thick enough to keep both browns and rainbows feeding, especially during cloudy afternoons. Word from Montana Outdoor says the bite flipped with the colder weather and the browns especially are getting aggressive, with several good-sized fish landed around Mallard’s Rest and Pine Creek. A local caught a beautiful 20-inch brown Tuesday afternoon using a streamer, reported by the editorial staff at Coastal Angler Magazine. Rainbows are working seams and softer water—expect strikes on nymphs and the odd dry. Late-season walleye are still being found downstream near Duck Creek and the Silos, but it’s slow going and patience is key for those golden catches.

Best lures right now? Locals are running olive or black streamers—think Woolly Buggers, Zonkers, and sculpin imitations. If you’re fly fishing, keep blue-winged olive and midge patterns handy. For spinning gear, small spoons and Panther Martin spinners in gold or black are working well as the trout move up into the shallows to feed on smaller fish and insects. Nymphers are cleaning up with beadhead prince nymphs, hare’s ears, and copper Johns. For bait, it’s tough to beat fresh nightcrawlers—rainbow and brown trout are hitting them hard in the deeper cuts, especially early morning or dusk.

Yellowstone’s not just about trout, though. Paddlefish season is long closed, but if you’re dreaming for next year, that action runs May 15 to June 15 in the lower river, with yellow tags and a shared harvest cap between Missouri and Yellowstone. Bring a stout rod and get ready to snag deep—GearJunkie reminds us these prehistoric giants are a true Montana trophy, some topping the scales at 60 pounds or more.

As for hot spots, locals recommend:
- Pine Creek, just upstream of Livingston—good access, plenty of structure, and reliable fall hatches.
- Mallard’s Rest for streamer tossers; big browns lurk near the drop-offs.
- Duck Creek area if you’re targeting late-season walleye.

The full moon tonight means late-evening and night fishing could deliver, with predatory fish feeding more actively—fishingreminder.com notes predator action always heats up on bright nights.

Remember, river etiquette goes double in these shorter days. Give folks space, pack out what you carry in, and be mindful of spawning beds—let those big browns make more Montana magic for years to come.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI