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All Montana reports
Stillwater River
Generated artwork: BlueStreamFly · Regional illustration; not the exact location.
Should I go fishing?
Yes — worth going.
Best option: Floating. A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.
Fishing rating76
Rating updatedRiver local time:
Why this recommendation?
USGS shows 371 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1935-2024, 90 readings) show a median near 539 cfs and the lower quartile near 405 cfs; today's flow is below normal for the date. This is below normal, so edge depth, temperature, and pressure matter.
Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationHighCurrent flow, weather, alerts, and trip-critical signals support this decision.
Usually checks again about every 45 minutes
If you go
- Check first
- RiverReports is used for the quick visual chart, with USGS 06205000 near Absarokee as the official flow reference.
- Try
- Start with flow and clarity. If you cannot safely wade or read the pocket water, wait for the river to settle.
- Leave when
- Skip during heavy runoff, muddy water, dangerous wading, active closures, or hot afternoons that stress trout.
Flow and weather
Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
- Flow
- 371 cfs
- From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.Water 57.0°F · 24h high 60.8°F · USGS provisional
- Air forecast
- 53°F
- Next 24h high
- 67.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 30%
Latest stored weather check
Chance Rain Showers
- Wind
- 9 mph
- Weather checked
More forecast and source details
Chance Rain Showers
National Weather Service
Stillwater River near Absarokee forecast point
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
RiverReports gauge: Stillwater River near Absarokee
Water 57.0°F · provisional · 24h high 60.8°F provisionalWater observed · high observed
Flies for this time of year
Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.
- Blue-Winged Olive PatternsParachute BWOView fly guide ↗
- Zebra MidgeView fly guide ↗
- Woolly Buggerolive buggerView fly guide ↗
See flies for every season
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
Spring
What to look forMidges, BWOs, early stoneflies
Post-runoff
What to look forSalmonflies, golden stones, caddis
Summer
What to look forCaddis, PMDs, terrestrials
Flies to try
Also try Hopper-dropper
FallThis season
What to look forBWOs, midges, streamer windows
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
More fishing tips
Methods, fish species and trip notes
How to fish Stillwater River today.
The Stillwater usually improves after peak runoff when flows remain strong but clearer. Summer mornings, fall streamer days, and post-runoff dry-dropper windows are the main targets. Skip it when the river is too high to wade, too dirty to read, or too warm to handle trout well.
Dropping post-runoff flow
Often the best large-fly and nymph window when clarity returns but the river still has power.
Clear summer flow
Fish early, use dry-dropper rigs, and watch temperature during bright afternoons.
High spring runoff
Usually a safety and clarity problem. Wait for the river to drop and define softer edges.
Cool fall water
Good for streamers, baetis, and nymphing deeper slots with less recreational pressure.
Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Best access methodFloating
These scores compare the risks of wading, bank fishing, and floating.
WadingNot recommended
This report does not recommend wading on this reach.
Bank fishingNot recommended
This report does not recommend bank fishing on this reach.
Floating · Best fit76/100
A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.
Full river report
Is Stillwater River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Montana before you go.
The Stillwater is a fast, bouldery Yellowstone-smaller stream trout river that rewards good timing. The best days have enough flow to keep fish comfortable, enough clarity to read seams, and enough caution to avoid treating a pushy freestone like an easy park-and-cast creek.
Fishing words used on this page
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
- A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
- Cubic feet per second (cfs)
- Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
- Technical fishing
- Technical fishing means the fish are hard to fool, so careful casts and natural drifts matter.
- Nymph
- A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
- Seam
- A seam is the line where fast and slow water meet.
- Blue-winged olive (BWO)
- Blue-winged olives, or BWOs, are small mayflies that often hatch in cool or cloudy weather.
- Caddis
- Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
- Dry-dropper
- A dry-dropper rig has a floating fly with an underwater fly tied below it.
- Emerger
- An emerger copies an insect as it rises from below the water toward the surface.
- Midge
- Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.
Why this call
Why this score
FlowUse caution
USGS shows 371 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1935-2024, 90 readings) show a median near 539 cfs and the lower quartile near 405 cfs; today's flow is below normal for the date. This is below normal, so edge depth, temperature, and pressure matter.
SeasonHelps
Fall: A strong lower-pressure window for streamers, nymphs, and blue-winged olives.
Water temperatureHelps
USGS water temperature is about 57F, and the rolling 24-hour high did not trigger a heat caution. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it.
Public alertsHelps
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Fishing usefulnessHelps
Skip during heavy runoff, muddy water, dangerous wading, active closures, or hot afternoons that stress trout.
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Dropping, clearing flows after runoff and moderate summer levels that leave pocket water readable without warming the river too much.
Skip during heavy runoff, muddy water, dangerous wading, active closures, or hot afternoons that stress trout.
Start with the Absarokee gauge, confirm access-site status, then pick either a short pocket-water wade or a conservative float based on the flow.
Shift to the Yellowstone or another lower-elevation option when Stillwater runoff is too high, or to cooler mountain water when summer heat becomes the limiter.
Stillwater River access and rules.
Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter.
Before you go
Check Montana fishing rules and current waterbody closures before fishing. The Stillwater can be affected by runoff, warm-water stress, site closures, and changing access conditions.
Where to access the river
Absarokee area
The best planning anchor for the USGS gauge and lower Stillwater access decisions.
Montana FWP fishing access sites
Use the current FWP map and site details because conditions, fees, or repairs can change.
Columbus lower-river area
A downstream option when flows and public access line up for a longer float plan.
- The Stillwater has several public access opportunities, but site status matters. Check FWP access details and closure pages before committing to a shuttle.
- Montana stream access law still requires lawful entry. Do not cross private land to reach a promising bank.
- High water makes wading dangerous and can also complicate boat handling around boulders, bridges, and fast bends.
Sources and report details
Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
See all 7 checked sources
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This report uses official regulation, flow, weather, access, and public-land sources first, then adds practical planning guidance for fly anglers.
Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.
First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.
Quick questions
When is the Stillwater River best for fly fishing?
It is usually best after runoff drops into shape, during cool summer mornings, and through fall when water temperatures and clarity are favorable.
Is the Stillwater River safe to wade?
It can be safe at moderate flows, but it is a fast bouldery freestone. High water, slick rocks, and pushy pockets make wading risky.
What should I check before fishing the Stillwater?
Check RiverReports, USGS 06205000 near Absarokee, Montana rules, current closure notices, access site status, and the weather forecast.