The Gallatin River Fishing Map is designed to give anglers a clear, detailed understanding of one of Montana’s most accessible and visually stunning trout rivers. Rising in Yellowstone National Park and flowing north through Gallatin Canyon before joining the Madison and Jefferson Rivers at Three Forks, the Gallatin offers a wide range of fishing experiences in a compact and dynamic system. The river supports healthy populations of wild brown trout, rainbow trout, and mountain whitefish, providing excellent fishing opportunities from spring through fall.

This map highlights the Gallatin River’s most productive and recognizable sections, including the canyon water along U.S. Highway 191, classic pocket water upstream, and broader valley stretches downstream toward Manhattan and Three Forks. Public land boundaries are clearly marked for legal and confident access, along with carefully researched access points and exclusive parking locations found on no other maps—allowing anglers to efficiently plan days on the water and explore less-pressured stretches.

The Gallatin River is both a walk-and-wade and float fishery. Wading is especially popular in the canyon stretches where pocket water, riffles, and runs provide constant opportunities for anglers on foot. Floating is common and effective on lower, broader sections of the river during appropriate water levels, allowing anglers to cover longer stretches and access productive banks. Boat launches and take-outs are identified where applicable to assist with safe and efficient float planning.

Detailed insect hatch charts reflect the Gallatin’s strong freestone insect life, including salmonflies and golden stoneflies, caddis, PMDs, BWOs, and terrestrials later in the summer. These hatches fuel excellent dry-fly fishing, supported by productive nymphing and streamer opportunities throughout the season. Whether you’re wading classic canyon water or drifting valley stretches by boat, this map provides the practical, field-ready information needed to fish the Gallatin River with confidence.