Montana
Bighorn River near St. Xavier
Location Snapshot
Near St. Xavier, the Bighorn flows through southeastern Montana below Yellowtail Afterbay as a broad, regulated trout river distinct from the Wyoming Bighorn at Kane. Rainbow and brown trout anchor a productive coldwater fishery shaped by long runs, riffles, and deep tailwater channels.
Current River Rating
Unavailable
Not enough local guidance to rate conditions.
Low confidence
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is available with the current data.
Why
- This river does not yet have enough local fishing guidance to assign a rating.
Cautions
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Blocking Factors
- Configured water observations are currently unavailable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- Not available
- Gage Height
- Not available
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Latest current reading
- Not available
Monitoring temporarily unavailable. · USGS station 06287000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
50°F
Feels like
44°F
Wind
3 mph W
Wind gust
3 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 4 AM
Clear
Temp 50°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Tue 8 AM
Clear
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 12 PM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Tue 4 PM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 8 PM
Overcast
Temp 53°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 12 AM
Clear
Temp 48°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 66°F / Low 48°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 69°F / Low 41°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 6 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 77°F / Low 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Showers
High 75°F / Low 47°F
Chance 79%
Precip 0.47 in
Max gust 29 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
Wild brown and rainbow trout are in the Bighorn River near St. Xavier.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Bighorn River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Official sources
Hatch Match
Loading hatch suggestions…
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Big Horn, Montana
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Big Horn
Management Category
Wild trout tailwater
Regulation Scope
Bighorn River below Yellowtail Afterbay near St. Xavier.
Regulation Summary
Bighorn below Afterbay near St. Xavier: FWP regulations unless an Exception applies. Confirm current closures and land status.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…