Yellowstone River Montana Hatch Chart - Livingston to Billings

South-central to central Montana, from Livingston to Billings. Below Livingston the Yellowstone transitions from the mountain-valley character of Paradise Valley into a broader, lower-gradient river flowing east across the Montana plains. The canyon sections near Columbus and Reed Point break up the prairie valley and concentrate fish in predictable lies. This is a less-pressured, more overlooked stretch than the famous water above Livingston - and it holds large fish.

Brown trout dominate throughout, with rainbows present particularly in the upper reach near Livingston. Fish average 14-18 inches with larger browns common - the lower section toward Billings produces some of the biggest brown trout of any Montana river, particularly in the fall streamer season. The river is wider and more difficult to wade than the Paradise Valley section; floating is the most effective way to cover water.

The hatch calendar mirrors the Paradise Valley section but runs slightly later due to the lower elevation and the broader, slower river character. Summer water temperatures can be a concern in August - check current conditions and Montana FWP hoot owl advisories before each trip.

Check current Montana FWP regulations before you go.

Shop by type: dry flies, nymphs, Euro nymphs, hoppers and terrestrials, streamers.

Year at a glance

Month Primary hatches Also carry Typical sizes
Jan Midges BWO on mild days, streamers 18-22
Feb Midges, BWO Streamers for active browns 16-22
Mar BWO, midges Streamers, early Skwala lower reach 16-22, Skwala 8-12
Apr BWO, caddis, March Brown Streamers, runoff begins late month 12-18
May Caddis, BWO Stonefly nymphs, high runoff typical Caddis 14-16, BWO 16-20
Jun Golden stone, caddis, PMD Salmonfly lower reach, BWO Stones 6-10, PMD 16-18
Jul PMD, caddis, yellow sally Hoppers start, tricos on slow sections 14-18
Aug Hoppers, caddis, tricos Ants, beetles - monitor temps Hopper 8-12, trico 20-22
Sep Hoppers, BWO, mahogany dun Streamers for pre-spawn browns 10-18, BWO 18-20
Oct BWO, mahogany dun, streamers October caddis, midges BWO 18-22, caddis 8-12
Nov Midges, BWO Streamers for post-spawn browns 18-22
Dec Midges Small nymphs, streamers 18-22

January

The Yellowstone fishes year-round. The slower, deeper character of this stretch means fish concentrate in the main channel seams and inside bends through winter. Midge activity on mild afternoons. Streamer fishing can be productive for active browns even in cold water.

February

Same midge and BWO program. Streamer fishing picks up on warmer days as browns become more active ahead of the spring season. The canyon sections near Reed Point and Columbus concentrate fish and are worth targeting.

March

BWO hatches strengthen. Early Skwala activity can occur on the warmer lower sections near Billings when water temperatures climb. Streamer fishing is at its best of the year in March - big browns are actively feeding before runoff pushes them off their lies.

April

Olives, March Browns, and caddis provide dry-fly opportunities. Runoff builds toward the end of the month - the broader lower river tends to color up faster than the canyon sections. Fish the canyon reaches and any clear tributary mouths when main river flows push.

  • BWO and March Brown, 12-18, on cloudy afternoons.
  • Early caddis on warming afternoons.
  • Streamers in off-color water as flows rise.

May

Caddis can be excellent in early May before the river blows out. The Yellowstone typically runs high and dirty through mid-to-late May. The canyon sections near Columbus clear faster than the open valley stretches. Float the canyons when the main valley is too dirty to fish effectively.

June

As flows drop and clear - usually mid-to-late June - the lower Yellowstone comes into form. The salmonfly hatch reaches this stretch later than the Paradise Valley section; golden stones are often more prominent here than true salmonflies. PMDs begin by late June. The canyon sections near Columbus and Reed Point are the prime June water.

  • Golden stone - 6-10. More reliable on this stretch than salmonfly. Stone nymph dropper below a large dry.
  • Salmonfly - 4-8 on the upper reach near Livingston in early June. West Fork Salmonfly against undercut banks.
  • Evening caddis - 14-16. Elk hair.
  • Late June: PMD in riffles, 16-18. Pale Morning Dun.

July

Good summer dry-fly fishing throughout the stretch. PMDs in the morning, caddis in the evening, hoppers along the grass and cottonwood banks. This section sees far less float traffic than the Paradise Valley - a significant advantage for both wade and float anglers. Monitor water temperatures in late July.

August

Hopper season. The lower Yellowstone's cottonwood and grass banks make it excellent hopper water. Monitor water temperatures carefully - the broader, slower lower river can warm more significantly than the canyon sections above Livingston. Check FWP hoot owl advisories. Fish the canyon sections near Columbus in August for cooler water and better midday conditions.

  • Hoppers - 8-12. Hopper-dropper with a small nymph underneath. Shop hoppers and terrestrials.
  • Trico - 20-22. Early morning spinner falls on flat sections.
  • Ants and beetles in foam lines.
  • Evening caddis.

September

The best month on the lower Yellowstone for big fish. Water temperatures cool, crowds are minimal, and brown trout begin staging for the fall spawn with aggressive pre-spawn feeding. Streamer fishing from a drift boat through the canyon sections is among the best fall streamer fishing in Montana. Dry-fly fishing remains good into mid-month with hoppers and olives.

  • Hoppers and ants through mid-September.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on gray afternoons.
  • BWO - parachute BWO and Baetis emerger, 18-20.
  • Streamers - the prime window for the largest brown trout of the year. Swing large olive, black, and brown patterns through canyon runs and undercut banks.

October

Fall streamer fishing at its peak. Pre-spawn browns are aggressive and territorial. October caddis and olives provide dry-fly opportunities on warmer afternoons. The canyon sections near Columbus and Reed Point are at their most productive. Handle spawning fish carefully.

  • Streamers - the most important pattern of the month. Large olive, black, and brown patterns through canyon holding water and undercut banks.
  • October caddis - 8-12, large orange dry, on warmer afternoons.
  • BWO and mahogany dun on overcast days.
  • Midges in slow water.

November

Spawning winds down. Streamer fishing for post-spawn browns holding in deeper runs. BWO and midges on mild afternoons. The canyon sections remain the most productive access points.

  • Streamers swung slowly through deeper canyon runs.
  • BWO and midges, 18-22, on mild afternoons.
  • Small nymphs through holding lies.

December

Midge and nymph program. The canyon sections are the practical focus - the open valley stretches can be exposed and very cold in December. Streamers remain effective on warmer days when fish are active.

A western dry and nymph assortment covers the dry-fly season. The real differentiator on this stretch is the streamer box - bring large olive, black, and brown patterns in 3-5 inch sizes for the fall brown trout season. Add hoppers, mahogany duns, and October caddis for the complete lower Yellowstone experience.