Billings is Montana's largest city — and quietly one of its strongest fishing bases. The Yellowstone River, Montana's longest undammed river, flows directly through theBillings metro area, carrying brown trout, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and sauger through a corridor of cottonwood-lined banks and sandstone bluffs. But the headline fishery lies 41 miles south: the Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam is a world-class tailwater holding 5,000 or more trout per mile — rivaling the legendary Missouri at Craig and drawing fly anglers from around the globe. Add the Stillwater River's freestone mountain water, 20 FWP fishing access sites (the most of any hub city in the state), and Lake Elmo's urban stocked fishery two miles from downtown, and Billings offers fishing diversity that few Montana cities can match. For the full city profile, see our Billings guide.
At a Glance
- 20 FWP fishing access sites — the most of any Montana hub city
- Primary species: Brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, sauger, walleye, mountain whitefish
- Signature fishery: Bighorn River tailwater (41 mi) — 5,000+ trout per mile
- Through-town river: Yellowstone River — Montana's longest free-flowing river
- Closest fishing: East Bridge FWP access, 1 mile from downtown
- Urban lake: Lake Elmo State Park, 2 miles (stocked)
- Mountain stream: Stillwater River, 52 miles — classic freestone trout water
- License required: Montana fishing license (available at local shops and fwp.mt.gov)
The Bighorn River
The Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam is Billings's — and arguably Montana's — most productive trout fishery. This tailwater, centered around the town of Fort Smith 41 miles south, consistently holds 5,000 or more trout per mile, with rainbow and brown trout averaging 15 to 18 inches and fish over 20 inches caught routinely. The dam-controlled releases maintain cold, stable water temperatures year-round, fueling dense aquatic insect populations that make the Bighorn one of the finest dry-fly rivers in the American West. Hatches of pale morning duns, caddis, blue-winged olives, and midges produce reliable surface feeding across a season that runs virtually all year.
Most anglers fish the Bighorn from drift boats, floating the 13-mile stretch from Afterbay Dam to the Bighorn fishing access. Wade fishing is excellent at multiple access points — the river is wide, relatively flat-bottomed, and wadeable in many areas during normal flows. The Bighorn's consistency is its greatest asset: unlike freestone rivers that blow out in spring runoff, the tailwater fishes productively 12 months a year. Guide services based in Fort Smith and Billings run daily float trips. The drive fromBillings to Fort Smith takes about 50 minutes — close enough for a dawn-to-dusk day trip with a full day on the water.
The Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states, and it flows directly through the Billings metro area — a rare opportunity to fish a major Western river within city limits. The Yellowstone near Billings is big water: wide, braided, and powerful, with gravel bars, side channels, and cottonwood-shaded banks that hold fish. The species mix here reflects the river's transition from mountain stream to prairie river: brown trout inhabit the cooler upstream sections, while smallmouth bass, channel catfish, sauger, and walleye become more prominent through the Billings reach. Mountain whitefish are abundant throughout.
FWP access sites line the Yellowstone corridor near Billings, with East Bridge (1 mile), South Hills (3 miles), and Duck Creek Bridge (10 miles) providing convenient launch points for wade fishing and float trips. The river fishes differently than the tailwaters — flows vary with the seasons, and the best fishing often comes after spring runoff subsides in late June, with prime conditions extending through October. Streamer fishing for brown trout in fall is outstanding, and smallmouth bass fishing on warm summer evenings offers fast action on lighter tackle. The Yellowstone through Billings is honest, unpretentious water — it won't appear on magazine covers, but it's right there, flowing through the city, fishable on a lunch break.
Mountain Streams
Stillwater River
The Stillwater River (52 miles southwest) is a classic freestone mountain stream draining the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness — cold, clear water tumbling over cobble and boulders through a forested canyon. Rainbow and brown trout hold in the pocket water, runs, and pools, with fish typically in the 10- to 16-inch range and occasional larger fish in deeper pools. The Stillwater is beautiful water to wade — less crowded than the Bighorn and offering a mountain stream experience that the tailwater can't replicate. Access is good along the road paralleling the river south of Columbus.
Musselshell River
The Musselshell River (49 miles north) is a smaller prairie river winding through agricultural country north of Billings. It offers a quieter, more solitary fishing experience than the Yellowstone or Bighorn — brown trout, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish inhabit the deeper pools and undercut banks. Flows can be low in late summer, but spring and early summer fishing can be surprisingly productive. It's a river for anglers who prefer solitude over trophy fish.
| River | Distance from Billings |
|---|---|
| Yellowstone River (Columbus) | 38 mi |
| Bighorn River | 41 mi |
| Musselshell River | 49 mi |
| Stillwater River | 52 mi |
Lakes
Lake Elmo State Park
Lake Elmo State Park (2 miles from downtown) is Billings's urban fishing hole — a 64-acre lake stocked by Montana FWP with rainbow trout and channel catfish. It's an accessible, family-friendly fishery with shore access around the lake and a gentle walking trail encircling the water. The park is popular for evening fishing after work and weekend outings with kids. No motors are allowed, making it quiet water for float-tube fly fishing. While it won't compete with the Bighorn for quality, Lake Elmo puts a rod in your hand within minutes of downtown.
| Lake | Distance from Billings |
|---|---|
| South Pond | 16 mi |
| Hunter Lake | 27 mi |
| Dry Lake | 31 mi |
| Dallmann Lake | 38 mi |
| Deadmans Basin Reservoir | 58 mi |
| First Creek Reservoir | 60 mi |
Fishing Access Sites
Billings has 20 FWP-designated fishing access sites within 50 miles — more than any other hub city in Montana. Most of these line the Yellowstone River corridor, providing boat ramps, shore access, and wade-fishing entry points at regular intervals upstream and downstream of the city. The closest sites — East Bridge (1 mile), South Hills (3 miles), and Duck Creek Bridge (10 miles) — put anglers on the Yellowstone within minutes of downtown. Further out, Buffalo Mirage (21 miles), Gritty Stone (21 miles), Homestead Isle (22 miles), Voyagers Rest (23 miles), and Bundy Bridge (27 miles) access excellent stretches of the Yellowstone through agricultural and canyon country. This density of public access is a genuine advantage — you can fish a different stretch of river every day for weeks without repeating.
| Access Site | Distance from Billings |
|---|---|
| East Bridge | 1 mi |
| South Hills | 3 mi |
| Duck Creek Bridge | 10 mi |
| Buffalo Mirage | 21 mi |
| Gritty Stone | 21 mi |
| Homestead Isle | 22 mi |
| Voyagers Rest | 23 mi |
| Bundy Bridge | 27 mi |
| Bluewater Spring | 35 mi |
| Bridger | 39 mi |
| Fireman's Point | 40 mi |
| Clarks Fork Yellowstone | 41 mi |
| Holmgren Ranch | 42 mi |
| Swinging Bridge | 43 mi |
| Whitebird | 43 mi |
| Water Birch | 47 mi |
| Jeffrey's Landing | 48 mi |
| Bull Springs | 49 mi |
| Beaver Lodge | 50 mi |
| Absaroka | 50 mi |
Seasonal Guide
Spring (March–May): The Bighorn tailwater fishes well year-round, but spring brings increasing insect activity — blue-winged olives and midges produce surface feeding from March onward. The Yellowstone River runs high and muddy with spring runoff from April through mid-June, making it largely unfishable during peak flows. Lake Elmo is stocked in spring and offers easy early-season fishing. The Stillwater River runs high with snowmelt but clears earlier than the Yellowstone.
Summer (June–August): Prime season across most waters. The Yellowstone drops and clears by late June, opening excellent wade and float fishing. Bighorn River hatches peak with pale morning duns and caddis in June and July — this is the Bighorn at its finest. Smallmouth bass fishing on the Yellowstone picks up as water warms in July and August. Lake Elmo fishes best in early morning and evening as summer temperatures climb. Billings's hot summers (regularly mid-90s°F) push afternoon water temperatures up on the Yellowstone — fish early and late.
Fall (September–November): Many anglers consider fall the best season near Billings. Brown trout become aggressive before their October–November spawn, and streamer fishing on both the Yellowstone and Bighorn produces the year's largest fish. Blue-winged olive hatches return on overcast autumn afternoons. The Yellowstone fishes at its best with low, clear flows and cooler water temperatures. Stillwater River fall colors make for a beautiful day on the water. Fewer anglers on all waters.
Winter (December–February): The Bighorn tailwater is the winter workhorse — stable dam releases keep the water fishable year-round, and midge hatches on warmer winter afternoons can bring trout to the surface. The Yellowstone nearBillings remains open but fishes slowly in cold water; whitefish are the most cooperative winter quarry. Lake Elmo freezes and supports ice fishing for trout and catfish. The Bighorn's winter consistency is a major draw — when most Montana rivers are frozen or marginal, the Bighorn is fishing at 5,000 trout per mile.
Local Resources
Billings has fly shops and outfitters serving both the local Yellowstone River fishery and the Bighorn tailwater — several Billings-based guide services run daily trips to Fort Smith. Additional outfitters and fly shops in Fort Smith serve the Bighorn directly. For Yellowstone River conditions, local shops are the best source for flow reports, hatch updates, and access conditions. A Montana fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older; licenses are available online at Montana FWP or at local sporting goods stores. Non-resident licenses are available for durations ranging from two days to a full season. The Crow Reservation borders the Bighorn River — a tribal fishing permit is required for fishing on reservation waters; check current regulations before your trip.
For hiking and other outdoor activities near Billings, see our hiking guide and the weekend itinerary.