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Stillwater River

Should I go fishing?

Check before you go.

Fishable with a temperature check.

Check the water temperature before you commit. Water temperature is unconfirmed. Use a stream thermometer; stop trout fishing at 70°F or warmer, or sooner if fish show stress.

Check first: Stale water temperature; do not use this score to clear warm-water risk.

Rating updatedRiver local time:

Why this recommendation?

USGS water temperature was about 55.8F, but that temperature observation is 38 hours old. Verify current water temperature before using it as a green light. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it.

Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationMediumStale water temperature; do not use this score to clear warm-water risk.
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
414 cfs
From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.Water 55.8°F · 24h high 60.3°F · USGS provisional
Air forecast
79°F
Next 24h high
81.0°F

NWS air forecast near

Rain chance
0%
Latest stored weather check

Mostly Sunny

Wind
2 mph
Weather checked
More forecast and source details

Mostly Sunny

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 55.8°F · provisional · 24h high 60.3°F provisionalWater observed · high observed
Official USGS station Opens in a new tab.RiverReports gauge Opens in a new tab.Official NWS forecast Opens in a new tab.

Flies for this time of year

Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.

See flies for every season
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try

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 fit80/100

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

Water temperatureUse caution

USGS water temperature was about 55.8F, but that temperature observation is 38 hours old. Verify current water temperature before using it as a green light. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it.

FlowHelps

USGS shows 414 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1936-2026, 90 readings) show a typical middle range of 411 cfs to 661 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.

SeasonHelps

Fall: A strong lower-pressure window for streamers, nymphs, and blue-winged olives.

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.

Best flows

Dropping, clearing flows after runoff and moderate summer levels that leave pocket water readable without warming the river too much.

When to leave

Skip during heavy runoff, muddy water, dangerous wading, active closures, or hot afternoons that stress trout.

Local plan

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.

Backup water

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.

If this water does not fit the day, check another report before you start the drive.

MontanaYellowstone River fishing reportA larger nearby freestone option when Stillwater flows are too small or too technical.MontanaBoulder River fishing reportA smaller mountain-front alternative with similar runoff timing and boulder-pocket character.MontanaMadison River fishing reportA more established destination option when you want stronger access infrastructure.
See all Montana fly fishing reports

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.

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.

Source check is old. Last checked . Open the official links now and check for changes.

See something wrong? Report a source problem. Please do not send private spots or private access notes.

How this report was checked

How this report was checked

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.