Gallatin River Facts

Location:

The headwaters of the Gallatin River lie high in the Gallatin Mountains at Gallatin Lake.  The Gallatin begins as a small mountain stream, but gains size and strength with the addition of several key tributaries. 

The Gallatin River is located in the far northwestern corner of Yellowstone National Park, flowing north to the Missouri River near Three Forks, Montana. 

Features:

The Gallatin River acts like a small stream until the arrival of Fan Creek, 15 miles from its headwaters.  US 191, the only major highway in Yellowstone National Park, also joins the Gallatin in this area.  US 191 offers incredibly easy access to the Gallatin River. 

Trout, which include brown, rainbow, cutthroat and cuttbow (rainbow-cutthroat hybrid), are between 10-16 inches on average.  Larger trout do exist in the Gallatin River, but they are few and far between.  Arctic Grayling are present in the lower river, as are mountain whitefish.  In all the Gallatin spends 31 miles in the park, the lower 15 miles being the prime water.  The Gallatin’s tributaries provide some excellent, less crowded fishing.  The main river is shallow enough to wade without chest waders. 

The bottom of the Gallatin River is very rocky and uneven, so be careful when you wade.  The river from Fan Creek down is like a big riffle, shallow and fast with some deeper water here and there.  The big fish like to hide near undercut banks and protected seams. 

Seasonal Strategies:

The Gallatin River runs clear by early July in most years.  Flavs and Green Drakes arrive in late June, providing the first topwater action.  Caddis hatch all season long.  Stoneflies show up in late June and early July. 

PMDs and Baetis hatch during the summer, with some lasting into the fall.  Damp, cool, overcast days produce the caddis and mayfly hatches.  Terrestrials work great during August and September, but can be fished as early as July and later into the fall. 

Exact hatch matching is not required on the Gallatin.  More often than not, basic caddis, mayfly and attractor patterns will work in any situation.  The presentation is more important than the actual fly.

Special Regulations:

Catch and release all cutthroat and grayling.  Check the Yellowstone fishing regulations for more information regarding the Gallatin River.

Access:

Access to the upper Gallatin River is restricted to hiking in.  There are some campgrounds to stay in.  US 191 parallels the Gallatin for over half of its length.  Numerous pullouts provide easy access that is only a short hike away.

Special Cautions:

Bears are very common in this area.  Take all the usual precautions when hiking and camping in bear country.

Links:

Gallatin River Blog Entries and Updates

Gallatin River Flows near Gallatin Gateway, Montana

For the most current fly recommendations and hatch information, click on Gallatin River Blog Entries and Updates