GUIDE'S CHOICE: Lower Madison

Warmer days have made for good fishing, and midge hatches 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 midge nymphs will get trout down in the deeper buckets. If you head to the Lower this time of year, expect to see some shelf ice. If you see anchor ice you can probably find better things to do with your time.

Gallatin

CFS: 284 at Gallatin Gateway

There has been some decent fishing on the Gallatin. Warmer days have been the best, and midge hatches have been bringing fish to the surface. Nymphing the slower, deeper runs is good with stoneflies, worms, eggs and small midge patterns. There is still some shelf ice to be careful of.

Upper Madison

CFS: 1,160 Kirby Ranch

There is lots of ice on the Upper Madison. Between Hebgen and Quake Lake can be 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 water around Raynolds pass and 3 Dollar bridge has been good as well. The same types of small midge nymphs work well there to. This is also one of the best places to find rising fish this time of year, especially if the temperature gets close to freezing. As for the rest of the river there is usually some open water to fish up around Varney. Stonefly nymphs, worms, eggs and small beadhead nymphs are the usual winter fare.

Lower Madison

CFS: 1,620

See Guide's Choice

Yellowstone

CFS: 1,010 Livingston

The ice has cleared out enough to make for fishable water. Around Livingston is usually the best area to fish because there will still be ice up higher in the valley. Midge hatches have been getting good 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: 4,160 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: 2,790 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 droped below take fish pretty consistantly 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.