Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Late Fall Action, Subtle Presentations, and Trophy Potential

This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Saturday, November 15, 2025. It’s been a classic late fall week—cold mornings, wind some days, but the trout are still hungry, and the diehards are being rewarded near Livingston and down into Paradise Valley. If you’re looking for real-time action, now’s the time before the river settles fully into winter.

First, weather around the Yellowstone today is brisk and autumnal. This morning saw temps in the upper 20s, rising to highs near 44°F by the afternoon. Skies are mostly sunny early, clouding up later with a damp chill settling in by sunset. Winds are light but expect an occasional gust out of the southwest. Sunrise was 7:22 AM and you’ll need to pack up by sunset at 4:48 PM—short days mean every cast counts. According to MountainWeather, a cold front is on approach, so you may want to plan for mixed rain and snow by the evening, especially if you’re out past dinner.

No tidal report for this freestone river, but flows near Livingston are steady and just a touch up after recent mountain run-off. The water's got that clear, clean late-fall look—the kind that calls for long leaders and subtle drifts.

Trout activity has been shockingly good for mid-November, with Sweetwater Fly Shop reporting a solid run of both browns and rainbows this week. The browns are still coming off their spawn and are hungry, looking to pack on calories before deep winter. Rainbows are feisty in the runs and tailouts, often rising on milder afternoons. Anglers have been pulling in plenty of 14–18” rainbows, with a few thick browns in the low 20s showing up from the deeper holes. The bite really heats up midday when the sun softens the water just enough.

Numbers-wise, it hasn’t been shoulder-to-shoulder but those in the know are putting a half-dozen solid trout in the net per outing—and a couple locals down near Mallard’s Rest even showed off some monster catches topping 22”.

Best bet for lures and flies right now? Think small and slow. Midge nymphs and zebra midges are money, as these are the main food source this time of year. Classic patterns like the Juju Midge in black or red, size 18–20, and a tan scud or small beadhead pheasant tail will draw steady strikes. For streamer junkies, dead-drifted olive or black buggers and smaller Sculpzillas fished deep and slow are getting big brown attention, particularly early and late. Sweetwater Fly Shop says don’t forget about Blue Winged Olives—if you see noses breaking the surface on a sunny stretch, tie on a size 18 BWO emerger or a Parachute Adams and get after them.

Traditional bait isn’t permitted in many stretches, especially inside or near the park, so check your regs—but artificial lures and flies are the go-to now. If regulation permits, a well-drifted worm imitation or even a plain old San Juan worm in pink or red can turn slow periods into action.

Hot spots? Livingston town stretch is still seeing consistent numbers. Paradise Valley, especially around Mallard’s Rest and DePuy’s Spring Creek, is a favorite for locals chasing both numbers and the occasional trophy. For some solitude and a shot at an unpressured brown, head to the sections between Emigrant and Pine Creek.

Remember, most area roads into the park are gated for the winter season now, and only the Gardiner to Cooke City road remains open. The lower valley, down to Springdale, offers easier access and less ice along the banks.

That’s the scoop for today on the Yellowstone—grab your winter gear, keep your presentations subtle, and stay safe as the temps drop. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe for real-time river updates, gear tips, and all things Montana trout. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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