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If you like to fish for inland trout, the Gallatin National Forest
is one of the best places in the U.S. In fact, it may be the best
in the lower 48. The National Forest is home to four thousand
miles of streams, several of which are quite large. You may recognize
names such legendary names as "the Gallatin", "the
Yellowstone", or "the Madison". These are all rivers
that flow through the Gallatin National Forest at least one point
during their course, or are easily traveled to from the forest
boundaries(a few miles).
Of course, rivers aren't the only thing that the Gallatin National
Forest offers. The forest features seven hundred smaller backcountry
lakes and a few large reservoirs. Of these reservoirs, Hebgen
Lake is the most famous for fishing. It considered to be one of
the finest dry fly fishing lakes in the western U.S. The size
of Hebgen is nothing to sneeze at. This lake chimes in at 12,564
acres!
Those seeking a Montana fishing license can purchase them at this
link.
Fishing license costs:
Two day license for resident is $13. Two day for non-resident
is $25.
Ten day license for non-resident is $53.50. There is no Ten day
license for residents as it makes no sense in terms of cost. They
just purchase the annual license. The resident annual fishing
license is $26, $16 for ages 15-17.. The non-resident annual fishing
license is $70, with $60 for ages 15-17.
Those who are over the age of 62 r higher pay $8 for an annual
resident annual license. Non-residents pay $70 in this scenario.
Those who are seeking out warm water fish need a warm water fish
stamp. The are $5 across the board whether a resident or non-resident.
Kids ages 1-11 fish for free in Montana. Non-residents age 12-14
do not require a license if they are accompanied by an adult who
holds a valid Montana fishing license.
Montana residents with a disability pay $8 for an annual license.
This is not available for non-residents. Blind residents can obtain
a lifetime fishing pass for $10.
The Gallatin River near Big Sky, Montana.
Gallatin River: The mighty Gallatin cuts like a blade through
the spectacular canyon country of the Gallatin National Forest.
The river is 120 miles long, starting high in the Gallatin Range
in Yellowstone National Park and eventually reaching the Missouri
near Three Forks. The Gallatin was named in 1805 by Meriwether
Lewis at the Three Forks junction. Major communities on or near
the Gallatin are Big Sky and Bozeman. The Gallatin is known for
its outstanding rainbow trout fishing, although the river also
holds brook trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish.
Trout on the Gallatin average twelve inches. The Gallatin is stacked
with trout, rated at 1400 fish per river mile.
Visitors to the absolutely spectacular Gallatin River country
may recognize some of the scenes. This river was one of the filming
locations for the hit movie "A River Runs Through It".
Access to the Gallatin Rive is excellent since the well maintained
U.S. 191 parallels it for most of its length. Most of the Gallatin
is closed to float fishing, but open to recreational rafting.
This makes it an ideal place for wade fishermen. Readers of this
site would do well to look at our campground section to find some
choice campgrounds which border this river. Be aware that part
of the Gallatin River flows through about twenty miles of Yellowstone
National Park. At that point, you need a Yellowstone permit and
not a Montana license. There are also two accessible fishing platforms
for the disabled along the Gallatin at Moose Creek Flat Campground
and the Deer Creek Trailhead. The Rive in Yellowstone is mostly
mountains meadow, while the Gallatin Canyon section is thick pine
forest with steep walled canyons. The stretch from the mouth of
the canyon to Belgrade is largely open ranch country with hardwoods
along the shore.
The Madison River just north of West Yellowstone,
Montana.
Madison River: Referred to as "the fifty mile riffle",
the Madison is world famous and it has the fishing pressure to
prove it. The mighty Madison is 140 miles in length. It
actually starts in Yellowstone within Wyoming at the confluence
of the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers at Madison Junction (see our
Yellowstone page for Madison campground) then crosses into Montana
where it takes a big bend through the Gallatin National Forest,
then spills out and flows north alongside the western edge of
the forest up to the town of Ennis, which is a famous community
based around other recreational aspects of the Madison River as
well as ranching. From here, the Madison flows north to the Missouri
at Three Forks. Between Ennis and Three Forks, the Madison flows
through the scenic Bear Trap Canyon which is known for a series
of class V whitewater. This section of the Gallatin National Forest
is part of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness area. The river was named
after Secretary State James Madison.
The Madison river is famous not only for its beauty, but for the
outstanding quality of the fishing. The great thing about the
river is the fact that all techniques of fishing can work well.
Those who prefer dry fly fishing, streamer fishing, nymph fishing
or spin fishing will all have success. This is a fairly unique
situation as usually, a certain river tends to fish best a certain
way. The Madison has an outstanding 1500 rainbow trout over ten
inches per river mile! The Madison is home to grayling, brook
trout, brown trout, carp, sucker, whitefish, rainbow trout and
Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
The scenery on the Madison is quite variable. The river in Yellowstone
and the Gallatin National forest near West Yellowstone flows through
a fairly level plateau of lodgepole pine. As the river flows past
West Yellowstone, it sneaks behind Baker's Hole campground(see
our Gallatin camping section) and then empties into Hebgen Lake.
From there it squeezes through Hebgen dam, proving a short stretch
of river before entering Quake Lake(see our boating section).
This portion of the river consists of steep walled, pine covered
canyons. It's very scenic. After leaving Quake Lake the Madison
flows through mostly open valley country with spectacular views
of the mountains on the east.
Yellowstone River: Probably the most famous of all the
rivers in the Gallatin National Forest. The Yellowstone is the
longest undammed river in the lower 48 and flows for 692 beautiful
miles. The Yellowstone begins high up in the Absaroka range of
northwest Wyoming in what many consider to be the wildest chunk
of land in the lower 48. From here it empties into the high lodgepole
pine plateau of Yellowstone National Park where it forms gigantic
Yellowstone Lake. From there it crashes over Upper and Lower Yellowstone
Falls. Finally, the river touches the Gallatin National Forest
north of the park at the town of Gardiner. It flows entirely within
the Gallatin National Forest from Gardiner to Miner. This section
is referred to as Yankee Jim Canyon. It's very dry, but very scenic
and popular with floaters. Those looking for some camping in this
area will want to look at Canyon campground and Eagle Creek Campground
at our camping section for the Gallatin National Forest. From
Yankee Jim Canyon the Yellowstone enters the Paradise Valley,
known for its sweeping mountain views. Traveling north, the Yellowstone
reaches the town of Livingston where it then flows due east, making
a wide berth around the Gallatin National Forest. On the way east
to Big Timber, the Yellowstone cuts between two sections of the
Gallatin National Forest - the incredibly scenic island range
of the Crazy Mountains on the north, rising seven thousand feet
above the valley and the Absaroka range to the south. Once passing
Big Timber, the Yellowstone courses past Billings and out into
rugged Badlands of eastern Montana and onto the Missouri.
Make no mistake about it - any section of the Yellowstone from
Gardiner to Big Timber is very scenic. While waders can fish this
rive and especially the channels, it is really a float river outside
of Yellowstone Park. The Yellowstone holds brown trout, burbot,
whitefish, rainbow trout, sauger, smallmouth and cutthroat trout.
The portions near the Gallatin National Forest contain mostly
trout. My experience is that the Yellowstone is best as a streamer
and dry fly fishing river while float fishing. Fish size is above
average with some true monsters swimming around out in the powerful
depths of the river.
Of course, there are other worthwhile streams in and around the
Gallatin National Forest, but some of my friends would seriously
hurt me if I revealed them. That part of the adventure is up to
you. Simply purchasing the Gallatin National Forest map(both east
and west editions) will reveal numerous other rivers and streams.
They are all good. Those maps will also point you in the right
direction to the numerous backcountry lakes found on the forest.
Consult the local forest ranger office to get the latest fish
population estimate on the mountain lakes. Also, it is important
to remember that river runoff makes streams unfishable. No one
wants to plan a fishing trip only to show up to muddy, roiling
streams. Planning your river fishing trip from at least early
July on to avoid disappointment.
If you are around Big Timber Montana, we highly recommend the
Sweetcast Angler. Exceptionally friendly service and great knowledge
of the area. You can contact them at:
Phone: 406-932-4469
Tell them Mike over at Parkcamper.com sent you. They also offer
float trips on the Yellowstone.
Image note: Lots of boulders on a secret river in the eastern
half of the forest. I was doing some fishing and had not seen
another single person that day. I distinctly remember how peaceful
this scene was. The fish were not cooperative.
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