The fishing season on many Montana waters is open year-round. Yellowstone Park's general fishing season opens the Saturday of Memorial Weekend and runs through the first Sunday in November. Each season throughout the year is unique and offers a variety of opportunities. The following is a summary of what to expect in the form of weather and fishing opportunities throughout the year.

Early Spring (March & April)
Fishing in the Bozeman area in the early spring is excellent. This is one of our favorite times of the year to fish. As the days lengthen and warm, the trout famished from a long, hard winter of lethargy begin to feed aggressively. Float fishing the Madison and Yellowstone rivers or wade fishing the Gallatin or area spring creeks can produce some of the best fishing of the year. Best of all there are no crowds like you can find in the summer. Early hatches of Baetis, March Browns and midges provide us with early season dry fly fishing opportunities. The most productive fishing is usually with nymphs and streamers. Temperatures this time of the year range from 30 - 70 degrees.

Spring (May - June)
Spring is a season of growth and renewal, replete with newborn wildlife. Lush verdant meadows adorned with a plethora of wildflowers make for a memorable fishing experience. The weather is generally mild 50 - 80 degrees, but cool rainy days and occasional snow showers are not uncommon. Highs can exceed 90 degrees by June. The Mother's Day caddis hatch usually occurs from about late April until mid May most years. This massive hatch can often blanket the water with caddis and draws even the largest fish in the river to feed on the surface. The caddis hatch often is the best dry fly fishing of the year. Winter's snow begins to thaw and by mid May most rivers are swollen with runoff. The lower Madison, Firehole, spring creeks and lakes are great fishing options during runoff. As the runoff subsides and the rivers begin to clear towards late June, great fishing can be had with large stonefly nymphs, streamers and dry flies. The world-renowned salmonfly hatch begins in June on local rivers and if you hit the hatch just right it is an experience you'll never forget!

Summer (July - September)
Summer is peak season in our area. Days are long and hot with intermittent thunderstorms and wildlife abounds. Temperatures range from 60 - 100 degrees. Superb hatches are a daily occurrence making for excellent dry fly fishing. The salmonfly hatch continues on into July along with golden stones on the area rivers. Large bushy stonefly dries and attractors are typical of the fishing during the summer months. Match-the-hatch fishing with tiny flies on the spring creeks challenges even the most able of anglers. Late July through September is when hopper fishing is at its best.

Autumn (October - November)
Fall is a special time in the Greater Yellowstone Area. For most wildlife (including fish) it's a time of preparation and anticipation of the upcoming winter season. Weather is very unpredictable so be prepared for anything from 20 degrees and snowing to 80 degrees and sunny. In general, days are mild or cool, while nights are cold and snow is imminent. Streams are low and clear, but hoppers, attractors and hatches of Baetis provide great dry fly fishing at times. Brown and brook trout spawn in the fall and invigorating streamer fishing can be exceptional on area rivers. Aspens, cottonwoods and willows paint the landscape with their fall colors and the majestic chorus of bugling elk pierces the crisp air. The solitude makes fall a relaxing, yet arousing time to visit Montana and Yellowstone.

Winter (December - February)
Old Man Winter covers the area in a blanket of snow and ice. Although most people trade in their fly rods for skis there are good winter fishing opportunities in the Bozeman area. Warm, mild and sunny days are common throughout the winter with highs temperatures ranging from 30 - 50 degrees. These mild days will often trigger trout to feed on area streams. The Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone rivers can all fish well during the winter. The Paradise Paradise Valley Spring Creeks are one of our favorite wintertime destinations as the spring fed creeks provide excellent nymph fishing with occasional midge dry fly fishing as well. Many people will combine their ski trip at Big Sky or Bridger Bowl with a day or two of fishing to break things up.