Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Winter Arrives, Wade Fishing Shines, Streamers and Midges Entice Trout

Well folks, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with today's Yellowstone River fishing report for December 4th, 2025.

Winter has officially arrived here in Montana, and let me tell you, conditions on the Yellowstone are shifting fast. The river's running at 1,450 CFS with water temps hovering right around 40 degrees. We're looking at mostly cloudy skies this morning with a chance of snow showers, and highs only reaching into the mid-teens to low twenties. Southwest winds are gusting up to 40 miles per hour in the higher elevations, so bundle up out there.

Here's the thing about December on the Yellowstone—the float game is getting tough. Unless you're feeling particularly brave, wade fishing is your move right now. The sub-freezing temps and those relentless winds make a 10-mile float feel less like recreation and more like a punishment.

Now let's talk what's biting. The fly menu is absolutely stacked this time of year. Big meaty streamers are producing solid, especially the Home Invaders in white and the Olive Leadeye Stingers. If the trout want something smaller, you've got excellent midge options. Think Harrop's Hanging Midges in black and grey, George's Tailless patterns, and Tungsten Zebra Midges in both black and copper. Sizes 14 through 22 are your sweet spot. For bigger presentations, don't sleep on the Sex Dungeons or Silk Kitties.

For hot spots, focus your effort around Livingston. The areas downstream and around the confluence zones have been producing consistent results for wade anglers. Early morning and late afternoon are your windows when the light's low and the fish are feeding.

Here's my honest take—this might be the perfect time to stay warm, tie some flies, reorganize that fly box, or do some holiday shopping for your fishing buddies. But if you do get out there, you'll have good water conditions and plenty of options in your fly box.

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