Yellowstone Fishing Report: Winter Bite Alive on Midges, PMDs, and Stealthy Streamers

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure comin' at ya with your Yellowstone River fishin' report for Sunday, January 25th, 2026. Winter's grip is tight on these Montana waters, but the bite's alive if ya know where to look.

No tides up here in the high country, but expect clear skies with highs around 25°F and light winds from the northwest—perfect for bundle-up wadin'. Sunrise hit at 7:45 AM, sunset's 5:15 PM, givin' ya a solid 9+ hours of daylight. Fish are hunkered in deeper pools and slower seams, feedin' midday on midges and sparse baetis.

Yellowstone Angler reports the Park's general season's closed, but Gardiner and Madison stretches stay open year-round. Natives like Yellowstone cutthroat are risin' to PMDs #16-18 on cloudy days, with drakes, ants, hoppers, beetles, and caddis patterns workin' magic. Guides like Justin Todd and Joe Sherman pulled nice cuts from NE sections and Lamar Valley lately—hikin' 3-6 miles opens prime low-pressure spots. Montana Outdoor notes winter fish bitin' despite closures, with midges, nymphs, and streamers haulin' in trout on sneaky Park stretches.

Best lures? Tungsten Sunken Ant #18-20, PMD Sparkle Dun #16-20, Black Mini-Chernobyl #14-16, and buggers or sparkle minnows #4-8 for streamers. Bait-wise, scuds, sowbugs, and midge larvae under indicators—small and slow wins. Nymph deep troughs early, swing streamers cold-water style.

Hot spots: Try the open Gardiner River tailwater for midge action, or hike into Lamar Valley bends for cutthroat solitude. Stay safe on ice edges elsewhere.

Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

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