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There is something for everyone on the Yellowstone and it is full of trout so you can expect nothing but good things from spending a few days on this one. With over 100 miles of trout water and numerous tributaries the possibilities are endless. The upper sections are closest the Yellowstone National Park and boast the largest populations of Cutthroat Trout in the river. If you like to throw dries and see arguably the best trout species rise on the planet, strap on your big foamies and attractors and get after the cutties. From the incredibly scenic Paradise Valley through the town of Livingston, you’ll find cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout all over the place. This is the best section for consistently large fish and abundant hatches. Below Livingston, you’ll find the largest fish in the river. The cutthroat population is pretty much nonexistent here and the browns and rainbows take over. There may be fewer fish per mile throughout these floats but you will also find the gold in some of the biggest fish in the river.

The Yellowstone River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 692 miles long, in the western United States. Considered the principal tributary of the upper Missouri, the river and its tributaries drain a wide area stretching from the Rocky Mountains in the vicinity of the Yellowstone National Park across the mountains and high plains of southern Montana and northern Wyoming. It is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states.

The river rises in northwestern Wyoming in the Absaroka Range at the Continental Divide in southwestern Park County. The river starts where the North Fork and the South Fork Yellowstone River converge. The North Fork, the larger of the two forks, flows from Younts Peak. The South Fork flows from the southern slopes of Thorofare Mountain. The Yellowstone River flows northward through Yellowstone National Park, feeding and draining Yellowstone Lake, then dropping over the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls at the head of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone within the confines of the park. After passing through the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone downstream of the Grand Canyon, the river flows northward into Montana between the northern Absaroka Range and the Gallatin Range in Paradise Valley. The river emerges from the mountains near the town of Livingston, where it turns eastward and northeastward, flowing across the northern Great Plains past the city of Billings.

East of Billings, it is joined by the Bighorn River. Further downriver, it is joined by the Tongue River near Miles City, and then by the Powder River in eastern Montana. It flows into the Missouri River near Buford, North Dakota just upstream from Lake Sakakwea. At the confluence with the Missouri, the Yellowstone is actually the larger river.

The Yellowstone River is considered to be one of the great trout streams of the world and is officially classed as a blue ribbon stream in Montana from the park to the confluence with the Boulder river east of Livingston and from the mouth of Rosebud creek near Rosebud, Montana to the North Dakota border[. The lack of dams along the river provides for excellent trout habitat from high inside Yellowstone Park, downstream through Gardiner, the Paradise Valley, Livingston, and to Big Timber, a stretch of nearly 200 miles. Fishing is generally done from a boat. The most productive stretch of water is through Paradise Valley in Montana, especially near Livingston which produces brown trout, rainbow trout and native cutthroat. From Billings downstream to the North Dakota border, anglers seek Burbot, Channel catfish, Paddlefish, Sauger, Smallmouth bass and Walleye.

Yellowstone National Park is the most popular park in the country. Through years of evolution, Yellowstone National Park has become a place consisting of mud bubbles, hot springs, geysers, incredible waterfalls, sheer beauty and tons of trout. There’s a good reason to bring both your family and your fly rods. The Yellowstone area is a natural attraction to anglers looking for variety within an ecosystem. If you’re trout travel plans include Yellowstone Park and the nearby streams, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Upper Yellowstone

The upper Yellowstone River flows for about thirty miles before entering the southeast side of Yellowstone Lake. The upper part of the river is small, very remote and nearly impossible to access without a horse or canoe. The River above Yellowstone Lake is followed by Thorofare trail which will provides access to those people who choose to horseback to the river. Cutthroats are the only trout found in this part of the river.

Yellowstone Lake to Yellowstone Falls

the River below Yellowstone Lake flows through a beautiful canyon before reaching Gardiner which lies just on the outskirts of the park. The upper seven miles of this section to Sulphur Cauldron are the most popular. The river inside Yellowstone National Park provides accessible flat water fishing and abundant Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The portion of the river through the Hayden Valley is closed all year long to preserve spawning habitat, but the rest is accessible and easily wadeable. No floating is allowed. Numerous insect hatches occur following the opening of the river on July 15th providing anglers the opportunity to try numerous artificial flies including Pale Morning Duns, Green Drakes, Gray Drakes, Caddis and salmonflies.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Black Canyon of the Yellowstone

The canyon reaches inside Yellowstone National Park are accessible only by hiking or horseback. The river here is usually quite swift, with sheer canyon walls in spots. Below Knowles Falls, about four miles upstream from Gardiner, anglers will find browns, rainbows and cutthroat trout.

Gardner to Yankee Jim Canyon

The Yellowstone River becomes a part of Montana when it leaves the park in Gardiner. The river fishes well from there to Laurel. The most popular and productive stretch in Montana is from Gardiner to Livingston which is a little over fifty miles of water. This section of the Yellowstone holds a good population of medium-sized rainbow and cutthroat trout, with a few big browns as well. The first half of this section from Gardiner to the bridge at Corwin Springs is mostly fast water, with some class II and III white water. From Corwin Springs to Yankee Jim Canyon, the river flattens out substantially and gives the angler more time to cast to fish along the banks. Most anglers choose to wade fish this area. If you decide to drift, it is very difficult water to navigate, and should be done by only the experienced.

Yankee Jim Canyon

Yankee Jim Canyon is the Yellowstone's best white water, with several major rapids. The river flows past the towns of Miner, Emigrant, Pray, Pine Creek, and Brisbin before entering Livingston. Steep canyon walls make it a difficult stretch to fish. Because of the potential danger floating the Canyon many commercial fishing guides do not float this stretch, though recreational floaters are common. The stretch from just below Pray to Livingston is a wonderful stretch of water. Rainbows and browns with quality hatches of insects create awesome fishing. Floating is the first choice of most anglers. Wade fishing is available in some parts.
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Tom Miner Bridge to Emigrant

From the Tom Miner Bridge (or the Carbella access just downstream) down to Point of Rocks, there is some excellent water, lots of fast pocket water with several nice pools. Once the river reaches the Point of Rocks, the gradient decreases substantially and the river turns into slower, longer pools.

Emigrant to Mallard’s Rest

Just downstream from Emigrant is Grey Owl, one of the best fishing access points on the river. From here down to Mallard's Rest there is a pleasant mix of big pools and large browns and rainbows.
Mallard’s Rest to Carter’s Bridge

This section of river known as Paradise Valley provides some of the most spectacular scenery on the Yellowstone, along with some of the best fishing. The scenery is dominated by the Absaroka Mountains to the east and the Gallatin Mountains to the west. Along this stretch numerous spring creeks flow into the river, many of which are blue ribbon trout streams in their own right, such as DePuy Spring Creek. Rainbows dominate this part of the river, but browns can be found here also.

Carter’s Bridge to Hwy 89 Bridge

Because the Yellowstone flows right through Livingston between these points, this is known as the "town stretch". Given the presence of the upstream spring creeks for spawning, this reach of fast water is ideal habitat for rainbows which make up most of the population here. The use of a drift boat is the best way to access this stretch, though there are some good access points for walking and wading as well.

Hwy 89 Bridge to Big Timber

This section starts about five miles to the east of Livingston, just off Interstate 90, where Highway 89 turns north, toward White Sulphur Springs. This lower river, from here on down through Big Timber is similar to the water around Livingston, but the riffles and pools are farther apart so there is more unproductive water. The fish populations are not as high as in the upper river and water through town, but there are some very large rainbows and browns to be caught in this stretch. In late summer, wind gusting across hayfields blows a lot of grasshoppers in the river which creates explosive reactions from big fish.