Bighorn River Tailwater
Consistently rated top 5 trout stream in North America with trophy brown and rainbow trout.
Bighorn River Tailwater in Southeast Montana
The Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam is consistently rated among the top 5 trout streams in North America. The tailwater's constant 54°F temperature maintains exceptional year-round fishing conditions, producing trophy brown and rainbow trout averaging 14–20+ inches.
The 13-mile catch-and-release section near Fort Smith is the most productive, but excellent fishing continues the full 47 miles to the Yellowstone confluence. Access properties near Fort Smith command significant premiums.
Bighorn River properties represent the ultimate in tailwater quality. World-class fishing in a rugged canyon setting — this is what trout dreams are made of.
Key Facts
- Top 5 North American trout stream rating
- Constant 54°F temperature year-round
- Trophy browns and rainbows 14–20+ inches
- 13-mile catch-and-release section near Fort Smith
- 47 miles of excellent fishing to Yellowstone confluence
Market Overview
Contact local agents for current pricing and market information.
Other Southeast Montana Characteristics
Explore all the factors that define waterfront/access land value in this region.
Bighorn Lake stretches 71 miles through dramatic limestone canyon with vertical 1,000+ foot walls.
- •71 miles through Montana-Wyoming border
- •Vertical limestone walls 1,000+ feet high
Waterfront recreation in southeastern Montana's ranch country with walleye and bass.
- •State Park near Decker
- •Walleye, bass, and channel catfish
Extensive cottonwood bottomland with productive soils and senior water rights.
- •From Billings to North Dakota border
- •Productive irrigated hay ground
World-class brown trout fishery supporting robust outfitter and guide economy.
- •Bighorn River world-class brown population
- •Robust outfitter and guide economy
River bottomland combining agricultural productivity with waterfront character.
- •Yellowstone and tributaries (Tongue, Powder, Bighorn)
- •Irrigated hay, cattle grazing on river pasture