Today
51°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 3 mph · 0% precip
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Today’s verdict
Current River Conditions
As of (11 days ago)
This intel is a couple of weeks old — conditions may have shifted.
As of ~2 weeks ago, conditions were fair.
The Bighorn is fishing — not lights-out, but definitely worth the trip. Lake turnover has pushed some green-tinted water out of the dam, which has made things a touch less consistent than earlier in the fall, but fish are still being caught throughout the day.
Nymphing is the clear go-to right now. A scud or sowbug up front trailed by a BWO nymph or perdigon, set four to five feet under an indicator with a split shot, has been a reliable producer. Frenchies, pheasant tails, and blowtorches are also worth having on hand, especially later in the day.
Getting your flies to the right depth is key — be ready to adjust throughout the session.
Hatches
1,750 CFS is on the low side for October — this stretch typically runs 2,090–3,300 CFS.
With flows lower than usual, wading is generally easier and more forgiving — but beds still shift and cold water saps strength fast, so read the water, stay within your limits, and check conditions on-site. You remain responsible for your own safety.
At 51°F, the water is in the prime range for trout — cold enough to fish and to handle fish safely.
Weather
38°F
Wind NNE 2 mph
Sunrise 7:47 AM · Sunset 6:01 PM
Observed (1 hour ago)
NWS / weather.gov · fetched 15:00
Today
51°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 3 mph · 0% precip
Tonight
32°F
Areas Of Fog
NNW 1 to 5 mph · 4% precip
Tomorrow
52°F
Areas Of Fog then Chance Rain Showers
NW 3 mph · 33% precip
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Size #16-18
Size #18-20
Conditions are estimates from USGS data. Always assess on-site conditions and use your own judgment.
The St. Xavier gauge is the only one in the Yellowtail tailwater reporting both flow and water temperature — so it's the one that can flag warm water. It sits in the cold, blue-ribbon section below Fort Smith, the high-trout-density water anglers float and wade.
Location
© OpenStreetMap contributors · © Geoapify
Helpful Links
Montana fishing resources
Other Montana rivers with live conditions
The Bighorn below Yellowtail and Afterbay dams is a cold, stable tailwater flowing through the Crow Reservation in southeastern Montana. It is famous for dense populations of wild rainbow and brown trout, consistent year-round feeding and long, controlled drifts. The river is primarily a float fishery because public bank access is limited to designated sites, although anglers can wade effectively around those accesses at suitable flows. Midges, sowbugs and scuds sustain trout through winter. BWOs and caddis become important in spring, followed by PMDs, yellow sallies and terrestrials during summer; fall brings renewed BWOs and streamer opportunities. Indicator nymphing with small flies is the most consistent technique. During strong hatches, selective trout rise in side channels, flats and slicks, requiring accurate casts, long leaders and fine tippet. Streamers can attract larger trout in cloudy weather or during seasonal transitions. Aquatic vegetation can complicate late-summer presentation, making clean lanes and careful line control important.
Tactics
1,750 CFSFlow
51°F−1°Water temp
51° / 32°Weather