Discover Montana's Yellowstone River

The Yellowstone River

Montana's Free Flowing Crown Jewel

Yellowstone River

Gardiner to around Columbus, 150 miles.

Favorite Stretch: Mallard's Rest to Carter's Bridge.

Seasons: Year-round.

Fish Species: R, B, YC, W,

Prime Hatches: Caddis, salmonflies, and stoneflies.

If Montana had a Yankee Stadium, the Yellowstone River would be it. Not only is the Yellowstone a fairly large river, it is over 200 feet wide in most parts and its peak flow is over 15,000 CFS, it boatss the states longest length of high-quality trout water-nearly 120 miles of prime fly fishing. Oh, and, we haven't even mentioned that it begins in Yellowstone National Park, flows through Paradise Valley (aptly named for its majestic peaks), and the river is banked by cottonwoods and backdropped by four distinct mountain ranges.

Beginning as a trickle near Atlantic Creek in the wilderness just south of Yellowstone National Park, the Yellowstone winds its way into the Park and forms Yellowstone Lake. Once out of Yellowstone Lake it remains in the national park as it tumbles over two majestic waterfalls and through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and then the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone. It leaves Yellowstone National Park and enters the state just outside the town of Gardiner, Montana. From there the river tumbles its way through one more canyon before it enters Paradise Valley.

The Yellowstone is a remarkable river in many ways-un-dammed for its entire length, home to native Yellowstone Cutthroat trout, scenic, easily accessible, and it boasts several riverside towns that cater to fly fishers. From its entrance into Montana to Columbus, an angler could realistically fish the river for an entire week and never see the same piece of water twice.