Yellowstone River Winter Fishing Report: Rainbows, Browns, and the Occasional Cutthroat in Slower, Deeper Lies

This is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report.

The Yellowstone’s sliding into full winter mode now, but according to Montana Outdoor’s mid‑December reports the river is still producing trout if you fish it slow and smart. Winter flows near Livingston are running steady, and Snoflo shows the Yellowstone holding good volume in the valley, so there’s plenty of water but also plenty of cold.

No tides to worry about here, just daylight and temps. Around Paradise Valley you’re looking at a hard freeze at night, teens to low 20s at first light, climbing into the upper 20s or low 30s in the afternoon under mostly cloudy skies with light west wind. Sunrise is right around eight in the morning, sunset a bit before five. The warmest, brightest slice—late morning into mid‑afternoon—is when you want to be on the water.

Fish activity has shifted to classic winter lies: slower, deeper buckets, soft edges, and inside bends. Montana Outdoor’s recent statewide report says the Yellowstone is still giving up rainbows, browns, and the odd cutthroat, but it’s a “work for ’em” deal now. Most folks are seeing a handful of solid fish in a short mid‑day window rather than all‑day numbers.

Best approach is nymphs and the occasional small streamer. Borrowing from what’s working on the Gallatin and Yellowstone right now per Montana Outdoor and Fins & Feathers:
– For nymphs, run a **rubberlegs** or small stonefly on top with a **Prince Nymph**, **Pheasant Tail**, **Rainbow Spanish Bullet**, or **black Zebra Midge** as a dropper. Long leader, 3X–4X fluoro, and enough split shot to tick bottom.
– For streamers, think small sculpin and baitfish patterns in olive, black, or white on a short, stout leader; slow swings and gentle strips through the deep seams are moving a few bigger browns when the sun nudges the water up a degree.

If you insist on bait where it’s legal, go subtle: half‑crawlers, salmon eggs, or a single small worm drifted right on the deck. Most fish reported lately have been 12–16 inch rainbows and browns with a few beefier fish in the high teens from the deeper holes; nothing crazy, but good winter trout.

Couple of local hot spots to consider:
– **Paradise Valley between Carter’s Bridge and Pine Creek**: classic winter water, plenty of softer inside bends and deep slots; easier wading where shelf ice hasn’t locked things up.
– **Town stretch at Livingston down to Mayor’s Landing**: deeper mid‑river trenches and walking‑pace runs; gets a bit of color on warmer days, which helps the bite.

Dress like you’re going elk hunting in January, watch for shelf ice and floating slush, and keep it short and deliberate—two or three prime runs fished carefully will out‑produce a day of wandering.

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