Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Slow But Steady Action, Prep for Winter Conditions

Artificial Lure here with your November 1, 2025 Yellowstone River fishing report, coming to you from Paradise Valley, Montana. With sunrise at 7:58 AM and sunset at 6:05 PM, anglers will get about 10 hours of daylight—perfect for working the riffles before the cold really settles in. While Yellowstone doesn’t have tides, keep an eye on river flows: late October’s dry spell helped things settle, but early November has brought brisk mornings in the 20s and highs in the low 50s, with cloudy spells rolling through the valley and maybe a shower this weekend, according to NBC Montana. Layer up and expect light winds.

Road closures inside Yellowstone National Park just kicked in for the winter, with only the stretch between Gardiner and Cooke City open for regular vehicles. Anglers can still chase trout outside the park boundaries along the main river, but flexible travel plans are crucial with closures and unpredictable weather reported by Buckrail.

Fish activity is slowing with the drop in water temps, but the bite’s still decent in slower runs and deeper pockets. Recent catches have put up some solid brown trout, with rainbows also coming to net—but in lower numbers than mid-October. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks continues to monitor regional trout health and overall numbers. Some regions experienced sick trout in earlier months, but reports from local outfitters along the Yellowstone still point to good, healthy fish for November.

November means mayfly hatches have shifted: tricos and blue-winged olives are fading, replaced by mahogany duns and midges. The bite’s best from late morning to mid-afternoon. Streamer fishing often becomes the ticket as active insect hatches drop off. Locals swear by Sparkle Minnows and Kreelex streamers—twitch them slow through deeper slots. For dries, try X-Caddis, Sparkle Dunns, or Mahogany Duns in riffles and runs. Nymphing with Frenchies, Pat’s Rubber Legs, and Spanish Bullets can turn up browns and fewer, but larger, rainbows.

Bait anglers: worms and salmon eggs remain steady producers this time of year. If you’re after numbers, focus near quieter eddies and along cutbanks; larger browns are prowling near undercut banks and deeper holes.

Hot spots today:
- Mallard’s Rest: A few miles south of Livingston, this public access has given up hefty browns lately, especially on streamers worked slow against the current.
- Emigrant Fishing Access: The gravel bar and drop-offs here are holding fish—especially during colder spells when trout stack up in deeper water.

Some locals are reporting a respectable mix of fish: mostly browns from 14 to 19 inches, a handful of rainbows near 16 inches, and an occasional whitefish. The numbers aren’t huge, but quality is up, with fish fattening up before full winter.

Best advice for today: arrive around mid-morning after the frost lifts, target deeper runs and cover, mix up streamer colors (olive and black early, white and flashy as the sun gets higher), and save the dry flies for warmer afternoons when you spot a rise.

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