Yellowstone's Winter Wonderland: Midges, Streamers, and Trout Galore on Montana's Frozen River

Hey folks, Artificial Lure here, your go-to guy for all things rod and reel on the Yellowstone River in Montana. It's February 15th, 2026, and we're knee-deep in winter warrior mode down here on the frigid Yellowstone. No tides to worry about in these mountain flows, but the river's running steady with no major ice jams reported per Montana Outdoor's latest fishing report from yesterday.

Weather's classic mid-winter: mostly cloudy turning partly cloudy, highs scraping the low 30s around Yellowstone Park per Weather.gov, with southwest winds gusting 25-35 mph and a good chance of snow showers—up to 5 inches today. Dress warm, layers and windproof gear or you'll be a popsicle. Sunrise hit around 7:26 AM near West Yellowstone according to The Weather Network, sunset about 5:51 PM—short days mean prime midday bite when the sun cracks through.

Fish activity's solid in open water stretches; ice is iffy statewide, so stick to the river. Montana Outdoor reports steady trout action on midges, small nymphs, and slow rigs—best mid-day as fish hunker in deeper runs. Streamers are pulling 'em too, especially rainbows and browns. Recent catches? Canyon Ferry cams from Walleye Cams show good walleye near the river influence, plus shore rainbows firing up, though slowing as they move off. Expect 10-20 fish days if you nymph deep.

Best lures: small midges like a size 20-24 zebra midge or perdigon nymph, or slow-trolled streamers like a woolly bugger in black/olive. For bait, worms or midges under a float in slower water. Dead drift those nymphs!

Hot spots: Hit the runs below Livingston Bridge for trout staging deep, or the lower stretches near Billings where a new bypass channel's boosting fish passage per Montana Outdoor Radio. Fish smart, check ice if venturing near edges, and stay safe out there.

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