Yellowstone Winter Trout Report: Bundled Up on the River for Late 2020s Fishing Action

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rod and reel on the Yellowstone River in Montana. It's January 5th, 2026, and we're bundled up tight out here—weather's got us in the grip of winter with highs scraping the lower 30s today, southwest winds gusting 10-30 mph, and snow showers dumping up to 5 inches by tonight according to the National Weather Service forecast for Yellowstone areas. No tides on this river, but flows are low and icy in spots after that recent report from Montana Outdoor on December 29th. Sunrise hit around 8:15 AM, sunset's pushing 5 PM—short days mean prime low-light bites.

Fish activity's been steady but weird this new year, says Kamp Cook's Montana Fishing Report from January 3rd. Trout are key players—rainbows, browns, cutthroats holding in deeper pools below riffles, avoiding the cold surface. Recent catches? Solid numbers of 16-20 inch rainbows and a few chunky browns up to 24 inches near Livingston and Big Timber, per those Montana Outdoor updates. Not a banner week, but persistent anglers pulling 5-10 fish limits ice-free.

Best lures right now: small jigs or spoons in gold or silver—think 1/8 oz Kastmasters or tube jigs under a float for suspended trout. Artificials shine since baitfish are sluggish; if you're live-lining, worms or minnows on light split-shot rigs below dams. Fly guys, nymphs like pheasant tails or midges on the swing.

Hot spots? Hit the stretch below Mallard's Rest FAS near Livingston—deep runs with less ice. Or try Yankee Jim Canyon upstream, where tailouts hold big browns if you can wade safe.

Bundle up, watch for thin ice, and respect private water. Tight lines!

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