Southwest Montana’s mix of winter range, open benchlands, and working ranch country is prime habitat for coyotes—and a place where predator numbers can matter to both wildlife managers and livestock producers. Reports from a recent sportsmen-led coyote derby in the region indicate more than 80 coyotes were removed over the course of the event, an […]
This Week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks with Racheal Vargas, Owner of and Instructor for Montana K9 Safety and Montana Health & Safety Training. Racheal is incredibly smart and has a great deal of experience teaching groups and individuals how to save their friend’s, family and even pet’s lives. Racheal […]
Southwest Montana is ringed by famous trout water, and Bozeman sits within practical striking distance of several very different rivers. For anglers planning a day trip (or a quick evening session after work), the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, and Jefferson each fish differently depending on flows, water temperature, and access conditions. This report rounds up what […]
The Yellowstone is Montana’s biggest free-flowing river, and it can fish very differently from one town to the next. This report focuses on what anglers are seeing right now: general water condition trends, how clarity and temperature affect the bite, and a practical short list of patterns and tactics that tend to hold up from […]
The Lower Madison is a year-round option for anglers who don’t mind cold hands and careful presentations. Between Ennis and Three Forks, this stretch can fish well in winter and early spring when conditions line up: stable flows, clear water, and trout holding in predictable soft edges. That said, day-to-day success can swing with weather, […]
Southwest Montana is a big piece of country with a lot of different water types—tailwaters, freestones, spring creeks, and mountain tributaries. That means fishing can be excellent on one river and tricky on another on the same day. The best approach right now is to check real-time gauges, watch water temps, and be willing to […]
The Boulder River (southwest Montana) is in its winter mode: cold water, generally clear conditions, and fishing that can be very good in short windows—then quiet for hours. Reports indicate the best results are coming from anglers who time their day around the warmest part of the afternoon, keep drifts slow and near the bottom, […]
The Missouri River below Holter Dam remains one of Montana’s most consistent cold-season fisheries, but winter conditions narrow the daily “bite window” and put a premium on planning. Recent on-the-water reports indicate fish are still feeding—mostly on small midges and nymphs—while water temperature, wind, and sunlight determine how good a given day feels. If you’re […]
Southwest Montana anglers keeping an eye on the East Gallatin this time of year are dealing with classic late-winter realities: cold water, shorter bite windows, and fish that rarely move far to eat. Reports indicate the river is fishing best when you keep expectations realistic, focus on slow water, and plan your day around the […]
Southwest Montana is the kind of country where a good day on the water can hinge on one detail: a cold night that drops water temps, a windy afternoon that knocks terrestrials into the drink, or a bump of color after a localized storm. Reports from guides, shops and regular anglers indicate the region’s core […]