Gallatin River Fishing Report by Fins & Feathers 8.7.21
By angelamontana

Posted: August 9, 2021
 

Current Conditions

Fishing restrictions on the Gallatin can be confusing, so let’s see if we can sort them out real quick. Starting from the top:

    • The upper river which is inside of Yellowstone National Park is open to fishing from sunrise to 2pm.
    • From Yellowstone National Park boundary down to where MT Highway 84 crosses the river (near Four Corners) is open all day.
  • From the MT Highway 84 crossing all the way down the rest of the river to the confluence with the Missouri River (near Three Forks) is closed to all fishing at all times of day.

For up-to-date fishing restriction and closure information, there two resources:

Montana FWP River Restrictions and Closures
Yellowstone National Park Fishing

The Gallatin is currently quite chalky. The rain is pushing the color through and this plug looks like it may take a while to get through. When it clear up fishing a Spruce Moths, Rusty Spinners, Tricos, and some Caddis has been the most fun. Fish attractor patterns like Wulffs, PMXs, Humpys, Purple Hazes, etc. Try to avoid fishing in areas that multiple people are fishing, not only as a courtesy to your fellow anglers but also for relief for the fish. Focusing on the faster water has also been producing better, healthier fish. It is good to get out earlier in the morning and keep a thermometer with you to check water temperatures. Subsurface action has been consistent with Perdigons and small Pat’s Rubberleg’s (#10-#14)

Gallatin River Webcam – Located at Karst, which is about 1/2 way between Bozeman and Big Sky on HWY 191.

 

For more information from Fins and Feathers, click here.

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