Yellowstone River and Livingston Area Fishing Report - July 30

The dog days of summer are here, and the fishing is fantastic. However, many of our river and creek flows are well below normal, including the Yellowstone River. Several rivers within Yellowstone National Park are closed to fishing altogether.

Please do everything you can to avoid over-stressing fish. Use barbless hooks, land fish with a net, and keep them in the water while you unhook them. If you are taking a photo, please consider getting out of the boat and holding the fish close to the water above the net. And make it calm but quick.

For up-to-date beta on our local fishing and everything you need to get out on the water, don't forget to stop by our shop in historic downtown Livingston.

Yellowstone River

2,210 CFS in Livingston on 7/30/25

The Yellowstone River is fishing really well right now, but the flow is dropping quickly and well below where we should be at this point in the summer. Hard boats should take extra caution as more rocks are exposed every day.

The good news is...the hopper bite is on! Fish are taking hoppers both above and below town. The classic hopper/dropper rig is an excellent option from mid-morning into the evening. If you're a purist, committing to a single hopper will be a great way to see fish rise in tough-to-reach places, but don't forget to get drifts through foam lines and choppy riffles; fish are holding in faster water in addition to shady pockets on the bank. Try different patterns and sizes of hoppers, depending on the action you're seeing. If you're running a dropper, give it about three feet and tie on a larger size #10 or #12 nymph. The classic Prince Nymph has been doing good work, but don't be afraid to tie on other patterns in that general size range.

The evening caddis hatches have been excellent, and you may have the river to yourself if you float until dusk. Elk hair caddis are best, but a Madam X with a post will also coax fish to the surface and is easier to see in low light or heavy glare.

If you are dry fly fishing, put a good mend in the line and let your flies get a nice, long drift.

Streamer fishing can produce as always, especially on the overcast conditions we are seeing here and there. Try darker olive streamers, and don't discount fast runs in the middle of the river. A sink tip is recommended.

Paradise Valley Spring Creeks

The Paradise Valley spring creeks are still fishing quite well. Early mornings have seen good midge fishing, both dry and sub surface.

PMDs can still be found, but the hatch has definitely trailed off. Fish appear to have transitioned back to midges as their primary food source.

Afternoons and evenings can provide some great terrestrial fishing, but the hallmark of a day on the spring creek is the evening western sulfur hatch. These small mayflies, size #20 or #22, hatch after 4:30 p.m. and go until about 7 p.m. They have provided the best dry fly fishing of the day recently.

We recommend going early, taking a siesta midday, and staying late. With the PMD hatch falling off, downsize your flies slightly to thin, lightly dressed patterns. Fish on 5.5 or 6X tippet.

Yellowstone National Park

To protect fish from low flows and high water temperatures, select rivers and creeks in the park are closed to fishing. The Madison River and all associated tributaries are closed. The Firehole River and all associated tributaries are closed. The Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground are also closed.

There are great alternatives though, with excellent dry fly fishing happening on the Yellowstone River, Lamar River, Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, and the Gardner River. There are caddis, drake and PMD hatches in the early and late hours. Hopper fishing is just starting to turn on too, but make sure to have other terrestrial fly options like beetles and ants to experiment with.

Madison River

Upper Madison

296 CFS near West Yellowstone on 7/30/25

As mentioned above, the Madison River and its tributaries in Yellowstone National Park are closed to fishing.

If you're fishing below the park, please take extra caution in handling fish. Dry fly fishing continues to be the best bet right now with great caddis, mayfly and stonefly hatches. Having a variety of sizes for these flies is important, and natural looking flies seem to be working better than flashy ones. While the dry fly fishing has been great, the fish are spooky in low water with heavy fishing pressure. Go slow and stalk water carefully.

Below the surface, follow suit with a double stonefly nymph and caddis larva or mayfly nymph. Fishing subsurface caddis or mayfly beneath a larger stimulator has been a good bet too.

Lower Madison

1,280 CFS near McCallister on 7/30/25

The Lower Madison River from the Warm Springs BLM day-use area to the confluence with the Jefferson River is under Hoot Owl restrictions (fishing is prohibited from 2 p.m. to midnight).

With Hoot Owl restrictions in place, get out early in the morning on the lower Madison. Try throwing a single dry fly or even a double-dry rig. A hopper with a size #16 caddis is a fun and effective rig to fish. If you prefer a dropper, try a variety of medium size Prince Nymphs and smaller pheasant tails. The shady, grassy banks are always good but don't forget to hit the foam lines and riffles off of gravel bars.

GALLATIN RIVER

544 CFS near Gallatin Gateway on 7/30/25

The Gallatin River from Amsterdam Road to the confluence with the Missouri River is under Hoot Owl restrictions (fishing is prohibited from 2 p.m. to midnight).

The dry fly fishing is in full summer form on the Gallatin River right now. The mornings are seeing good caddis, PMD and Yellow Sallie hatches. The fish are also still taking a Chubby Chernobyl. A dry dropper rig with a stonefly nymph behind a Chubby is double trouble. Look for deep pocket water and give yourself a long drift to give the fish time to key in on your fly.

Alpine Lakes

Now is an ideal time to fish our countless alpine lakes. The reward of eager, rising fish is always worth the effort...and the views are never bad either. Plus, the bite is typically on all day.

Take a variety of bugs in case you run into picky fish. We recommend multiple sizes of elk hair caddis, Parachute Adams and terrestrials like ants and beetles. Giving your fly a little action by skating it across the surface can attract fish from distance in these crystal clear lakes. Having a few small wooly buggers is always a good trick to have up your sleeve too.