Greater Yellowstone, Montana
Gallatin River Fishing Report: May 25, 2026
Gallatin River is fair today with 1,330 cfs at 7:00 am, a rising flow trend, and a best window of late morning through afternoon, with clouds extending the window.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Late morning through afternoon, with clouds extending the window
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
Gallatin River is a fair option today. USGS showed 1,330 cfs at 7:00 AM and 2.65 feet, with the flow trend rising and water temperature Not reported. The best plan is late morning through afternoon, with clouds extending the window; start with nymphs; dry flies; streamers and adjust for light, wind, and clarity at the access.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair |
| Flow | 1,330 cfs at 7:00 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.65 feet |
| Water Temp | Not reported |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Rising |
| Best Window | Late morning through afternoon, with clouds extending the window |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies; streamers |
| Wadeability | Limited |
Weather
For Gallatin Gateway, MT, the National Weather Service forecast says: Overnight: Clear, with a low around 46. South southeast wind around 3 mph. Active NWS alerts for the point check: No active NWS alerts for the checked point.
River Notes
Use the Gateway gauge as the baseline, then confirm clarity and bank safety when you arrive. A rising hydrograph means fish may shift through the day; if the river bumps up, favor inside bends, softer banks, and defined seams instead of committing to heavy mid-channel water. Official gauge data does not report clarity, so treat clarity as Not reported until it is checked on site.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on late-May regional timing, current official gauge/weather checks, and public local report pages reviewed separately for context.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-20 | Best in clouds and softer seams |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Search pocket edges |
| March Brown | 12-14 | Possible larger mayflies |
| Stonefly Nymphs | 6-10 | Good subsurface choice in faster water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | BWO Comparadun | 16-20 | Use when fish look up |
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis | 14-18 | Prospect pocket water |
| Nymph | Pat’s Rubber Legs | 6-10 | Anchor in faster slots |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Trail fly for mayflies |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Work banks if off-color |
Tactics
Start subsurface in the most defined walking-speed lanes and change depth before changing flies. If fish begin rising, simplify to one accurate dry or a dry with a small emerger and lengthen the leader. For limited wading, keep crossings conservative and check the gauge again before stepping into pushy water.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallatin River near Gallatin Gateway, MT | 1,330 cfs | Not reported | USGS 06043500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 06043500 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Gallatin Gateway, MT area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with local public conditions reports reviewed separately for hatch, access, and method context.