Best month to fish the Bighorn River

Month-by-month fishing quality

Why these months?

Two things decide your odds on the Bighorn River: flow and season. You need the river in its fishable-flow band — so a freestone in spring runoff is out no matter how good the hatch would be, while a dam-fed tailwater holds shape year-round. On top of that, the hatches and water temperatures line up best in October and November and March and April, which is why those months edge out the rest. The Bighorn River's season runs year-round tailwater; prime october–april & summer.

The Bighorn below Yellowtail Dam is one of the most productive trout tailwaters in North America — cold, clear, nutrient-rich water that grows fat browns and rainbows in staggering numbers (often 3,000+ catchable trout per mile in the upper reaches). Constant dam-fed temperatures mean it fishes hard all year, with blanket midge, BWO, and trico hatches and a deserved reputation as a dry-fly and nymphing factory.

Where to fish the Bighorn River

The "Upper 13" from the Afterbay to Bighorn access is the famous stretch — best fished from a drift boat with a guide, with wadeable side channels and gravel bars throughout. Flows are set by dam releases, so check the discharge before you commit to a wade.

Guided trips & lodges to book