GUIDE'S CHOICE: Lower Madison

Fishing is good with this nice weather we are getting. Cloudy days have made for good midge hatches that have been bringing fish to the surface during the afternoon. If you find a pod of rising fish then try throwing something like a Griffiths Gnat or Miracle Midge. The usual crayfish, worms and small mayfly nymphs are catching fish in the buckets.

Gallatin

CFS: 252 at Gallatin Gateway

The Gallatin has been fishing very good with the nice weather. Midge hatches have been making for some great surface action on cloudy afternoons. Nymphing has been very effective in the slower, deeper runs with stoneflies, worms, eggs and small midge or baetis patterns.

Upper Madison

CFS: 871 Kirby Ranch

The river is now closed to fishing from Quake to McAtee and also Ennis to Ennis Lake. Between Hebgen and Quake Lake is productive all winter with little midge nymph patterns trailed behind a stonefly or worm. Red is usually a good color here in winter and ice is not much of a problem. Getting to the river when the snow is deep can be a challenge. The river around Varney and Eight Mile is open enough for fishing. Stonefly nymphs, worms, eggs and small beadhead nymphs are the usual winter fare.

Lower Madison

CFS: 1,410

See Guide's Choice

Yellowstone

CFS: 1,140 Livingston

The ice is cleared out around Livingston. Midge hatches are improving, and you will find fish sipping them from the surface in the slower water. Try dead drifting with stonefly nymphs or sculpins trailed by small caddis or midge droppers. Red can be a good winter color, so try something like a Red Disco Midge or Red Headed Step child for a dropper. When it does thaw out there can be some great fishing to be had in the late winter and spring months before run-off.

Upper Missouri

CFS: 3,900 Wolf Creek

The Missouri is a good winter option when the wind isn't blowing too bad. The ice doesn't get so bad in the area below Holter Dam. Deep nymphing with the usual winter tailwater patterns will be the best method to catch fish. Worms, sowbugs, scuds and midges are all great winter nymphs. Pink is often a good color choice through winter. Slowly stripped or dead drifted streamers can also work. Midge hatches will be getting better with warmer days.

Bighorn

CFS: 2,000 St. Xavier

Winter is the one time of year an angler has a good chance of solitude on the 'Horn but pay attention to weather forecasts in the area. If the wind is really up it can be tough. Worms, scuds, and eggs with a small midge pupa dropped below take fish pretty consistently on the Bighorn and you might even find some fish rising to midges.

Spring Creeks

CFS:

The crowds are gone and winter rates make it a great time to head over. Baetis hatches can make for great dry fly action at times. Midges will also be important, so having a good selection of Midge and Baetis patterns is a good idea. Changing patterns can help when the fish catch on to a particular fly. You can always nymph with baetis, midge larva, scuds, mini worms and eggs. Leeches, buggers and sculpins can work well, especially on cloudy days. Be extra careful not to walk on spawning beds!

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is closed to fishing for the winter! Check back in May.

The Dillon Area

CFS:

The lower Beaverhead is still open and should fish well enough with usual tailwater junk like worms and eggs. Small bead head droppers should also take fish.

The Missoula Area

CFS:

The Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Rock Creek and Clark Fork are all in winter mode. There still can be some midge activity to bring fish to the surface on warm afternoons. Otherwise it will be mostly small nymphs, worms and eggs.

The Henry's Fork

CFS:

The water below Ashton is still open and should fish like any other big tailwater this time of year. Try worms, eggs, and scuds with small bead head droppers and keep an eye out for midge eating risers. It will be a while before the baetis are back.

Area Lakes and Reservoirs

CFS:

If you're a die-hard still water angler and don't know what to do with yourself you might try ice fishing. Sitting in a dark shanty staring through a dark hole in the ice can be more educational than you might think plus it builds character. If you're going for the first time go with someone experienced for safety reasons and make sure they're someone you can sit right next to in that dark shanty for a few hours. You might find that this narrows down your list of fishing buddies.