Bighorn River Fishing Report: Clear Water, Midges & Rainbows [26 March 2025]

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Big Horn, Montana fishing report for March 26, 2025. Let me tell ya, it's shaping up to be a beautiful day out on the water! First off, let's talk weather. We're looking at partly cloudy skies with temperatures climbing into the mid-50s by afternoon. Perfect fishing weather if you ask me! Sun's coming up around 7:15 AM and setting about 7:30 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to wet our lines. Now, onto the good stuff - the fishing! The Bighorn River's been fishing really well lately. Water flows are holding steady around 2,300 cfs, which is great for this time of year. Water clarity is clear as gin, so you'll want to go with lighter tippets and stealthy presentations. Rainbows and browns are the name of the game right now, with most folks pulling in 16-20 inchers. I've heard tell of a few lucky anglers landing some real bruisers in the 24-inch range too. The fish seem to be most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours. For you fly fishing enthusiasts, midges are still the hot ticket. Try cream or red in sizes 20-22. Scuds and sowbugs in sizes 16-18 have been producing well too. Don't forget to keep an eye out for Blue Winged Olive hatches during the heat of the day. It's not gangbusters yet, but be ready to switch it up if you see fish rising. If you're more of a spin fishing type, small jigs in pink and orange have been doing the trick. Panther Martins in gold and brown are also solid choices. For you bait fishermen, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are your best bet. Just remember to check local regulations on bait usage. As for hot spots, you can't go wrong with the stretch below Afterbay Dam or the Three Mile Access area. Plenty of deep runs and riffles to explore. Just remember to mind your manners and give other anglers some space. One last tip: the grass has been breaking off with the cooler nights, so make sure to keep your bugs clean. It's a bit of a nuisance, but it should clear up as we head downstream. That's the report for today, folks. Remember to handle those fish with care and practice catch and release when you can. Tight lines and see you on the river! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.