Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Hopper Bonanza and Healthy Trout in Montana

Artificial Lure here with your Friday morning fishing report for the Yellowstone River and surrounding water in Montana, September 19, 2025.

Daybreak came right on time at 7:09 a.m., with sunset expected at 7:28 p.m. The weather’s on the mild side: we’re starting off cool this morning, but temps are forecasted to hit the low 70s by midafternoon, with a light haze lingering from distant wildfires. Winds are light out of the southwest, which means manageable casting and a comfortable day on the water.

Water flows at Livingston are holding around 1,580 CFS, and river temps are cycling from 61 to 67 degrees through the day, per Yellowstone Angler. Conditions have been steady, favoring both wade and float anglers, but the haze is making those subtle hopper colors stand out even more. Tidal considerations in this part of Montana are a non-issue—focus your energy on reading the riffles and seams, and you’ll do just fine.

Onto the fish: it’s prime time for Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. The past week’s action has been hot—nice valley bows, clean cutts, and some healthy browns being landed. There’s been a solid mix of fish sizes, most falling in the 12-18 inch class, though a few wild specimens have topped the 20-inch mark, especially down in Paradise Valley. Both floaters and bank anglers are reporting steady hookups.

For fly selection, it’s a hopper bonanza. Pro anglers and local guides are swearing by peach and pink patterns—Morrish Hopper, Thunderthighs, Sweetgrass, and Grand Hopper in sizes 8 to 14. Drift those right up on the grassy banks, and don’t be shy about switching to floating ant patterns, especially above Yankee Jim Canyon or in the Valley proper. If the bite slows down on top, pair your hopper with a Tungsten Bead Bugger or Bead Head Prince nymph as a dropper.

Terrestrials are dominating, but when trout turn selective, reach for Caddis—Elk Hair or Butch Caddis in 14 to 16—or try a slick little Euro nymph like a Duracell Bomb or Blow Torch. Streamer anglers have been moving bigger fish on Coffee Sparkle Minnows, Black Sex Dungeons, and Lawson’s Sculpin, especially in deeper runs mid-river.

No live bait needed here—flies are king, and artificials are the staple. Spin anglers itching to cover ground should stick to small black or olive marabou jigs and gold-bladed spinners, keeping to current seams and structure.

The river’s definitely busier as we near the weekend, so give everyone a little space and be polite as you move between runs. For the inside scoop, the Valley stretch from Carter’s Bridge through Mallard’s Rest is firing, particularly at first light and the last hour before dusk. Yankee Jim Canyon is another hotspot—challenge yourself with some pocket water if you’re up for it.

A heads up: with temps still moderate, there’s no mandatory river closure in the afternoons—but keep an eye on your fish handling, especially with cutthroats, and limit air exposure for the sake of river health.

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