Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Trout Tactics for Late Fall Flows

Yellowstone River folks, Artificial Lure coming in with your fishing report for Friday, November 21, 2025. Livingston’s air’s got a bite to it this morning—sunrise snapped the cold just after 7:29 AM, with sunset coming at 4:43 PM. Temps are floating several degrees above normal for November, so expect highs in the mid-40s and overnight lows in the 20s according to Weather for You and MountainWeather. Still, layers and waders are a must, especially early or late.

No tides to worry about, but water’s on the low side for late fall and running clear. Drought and warm spells have crept back in, so be sure to step slow and keep your approach light—these trout will spook easy as whitetails in November. Occasional flurries brushed the Absarokas, but not much snow making it to river level—Montana Outdoor says winter’s late, only adding to these mellow flows.

Now, onto the bite: Up and down Paradise Valley, the late-fall trout pattern is your best bet. Browns are settled back in after the spawn, rainbows are feeding up. Local shops and Montana Outdoor's angling reports from this week say it’s mostly *nymphing* for numbers—think size 16-18 blue-winged olive nymphs, zebra midges, pheasant tails, and small stonefly stuff. Dead drift a Pat’s Rubberleg or a black Perdigon along the deeper seams and bucket holes. Small, shiny streamers like olive Sparkle Minnows and Mini Peanut Evys picked up a few nice browns this week, especially under cloud cover.

There have been reports of a couple cutthroats and cuttbows near Carter’s Bridge, but browns and bows are the mainstay. Word around the fire ring has it that O’Rea Creek confluence and Mayor’s Landing fished best, especially with BWO emergers and Perdigon nymphs bounced tight to the bottom.

The old timers drifting near Pine Creek found a pod or two of rising fish late in the afternoons. Bring a couple size 18 BWO Sparkle Duns if the weather turns overcast and calm in the afternoon—that’s when midges and olives get those noses up. Otherwise, stay down and deep.

Not much on the bait scene this time of year; those sticking it out with worms or eggs near Livingston and Emigrant have managed some eaters, but flies are outfishing hardware and bait right now. Leave the big spinners at home—these trout are too wise for much flash, especially with the clear conditions.

Most folks are reporting modest catches: a handful of browns pushing 14-18 inches, a couple rainbows in the same class, and the occasional cutthroat. Nothing barn-door sized this week, but plenty of healthy fall fish for the careful angler.

Best hotspots right now? O’Rea Creek confluence for numbers, and Pine Creek Bridge for a shot at a bigger brown, especially swinging a streamer in low light. Mayor’s Landing is a safe bet mid-morning for nymphing tracks. Bring caution—those fish have been seeing a lot of pressure, so stealth counts.

Remember, most of the Yellowstone inside the park is closed now for winter, except the Gardner River and the lower Madison. But downriver from Gardiner through Paradise Valley and around Livingston is still wide open and fishing well with a little patience and some cold toes.

Treat your catch right and don’t keep them out long—Montana Outdoor reminds us even catch-and-release can be tough on trout with these conditions. Keep ’em wet, quick photos, and back they go.

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