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Lower Gallatin

The Gallatin changes considerably as it exits the canyon and carves through portions of land owned by Ted Turner. The river slows and widens, displaying a typical riffle-pool-run format. The river warms as it twists through hayfields and divides around islands adorned by giant cottonwoods.

Large brown trout roam the Gallatin from the mouth of the canyon to the Missouri River, but this is a heavily irrigated area and in some years, portions of this stretch may be drained dry. During years of decent water supply, look for excellent Baetis and midge hatches prior to runoff, beginning in early March. Productive patterns include #18-20 Pheasant Tails, Lightning Bugs, Copper Johns, Brassies, and Serendipities. After runoff expect the usual suspects—salmonflies, Golden Stoneflies, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, caddis, and Tricos. Terrestrials are effective through this stretch, especially in areas where the river bumps up against hayfields.

Access in this diverse stretch, though not as abundant as in the canyon and upper river, is found at several bridge crossings and at state-managed fishing access sites, including Williams Bridge, Gallatin Gateway, and Axtell, Shed’s, Cameron, and Irving bridges. An option after fishing this stretch is dinner at Gallatin River Lodge, which is open to the public and located on the riverbank between Four Corners and Belgrade. Or if you’re feeling a bit wild, a night at Stacey’s Bar fits the bill.

While you can match the hatch on this stretch, big, ugly stuff works as well. Try Woolhead Sculpins, Zonkers, Conehead Buggers, and Muddler Minnows.

From Manhattan downstream to the Missouri, floating in a raft, driftboat, or pontoon boat is an excellent big-fish opportunity. Manhattan to Logan, or from Logan to Trident and the Missouri River Headwaters State Park, are good floats. Bring a stiff 5- or 6-weight rod on your float to help cast large streamers and split-shot in heavy wind.

Don’t expect to catch lots of fish on the lower Gallatin below Manhattan. Unlike the canyon reach and the upper stretch, the lower river’s trout population is severely depressed and biologists find only a couple hundred trout per mile. This is the land of large fish, a place where you may bring home a photo to make your friends drool.

The lower Gallatin and East Gallatin (above) run through ranch country and often run low when irrigation demands sap river flows. Search for large brown trout (top) with #2-6 streamers such as Woolhead Sculpins or Egg-sucking Leeches.

An appealing option when fishing the Gallatin Valley is the East Gallatin River, a trout-infested stream that begins near Bozeman and twists almost exclusively through private land. Access is difficult but it’s worth finding a bridge crossing and accessing the water. Whitetail deer, waterfowl, and pheasants call the bottomlands home and the river has rainbow and brown trout ranging between 12 and 20 inches. Access to the stream is allowed below the high-water mark. Pushing the limits of that mark on the East Gallatin is sure to cause trouble.

Streamers attract the largest trout but hatches on the East Gallatin, which is open to fishing all year, are similar to the main stem of the Gallatin. Look for spring and fall Baetis; PMDs in June and July; scads of afternoon and evening caddis in June, July, and August; Yellow Sallies in June and July; Tricos in August; and hoppers, ants, and beetles from late July through early October.

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