Winding through the heart of Sidney, the Yellowstone River is the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states—and one of our region’s greatest natural assets. Locals and visitors alike are drawn to its rugged beauty, quiet fishing holes, and abundant wildlife. Cast a line for catfish, sauger, and walleye, or enjoy a peaceful afternoon canoeing its winding course. Whether you’re seeking solitude or a fresh catch, the Yellowstone River offers an unspoiled slice of eastern Montana that’s as real as it gets.
Local Fish Species
| Species | Family | Class | Native to MT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bigmouth Buffalo | Sucker | Warmwater | Native |
| Black Bullhead | Catfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Black Crappie | Sunfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Blue Sucker | Sucker | Warmwater | Native |
| Bluegill | Sunfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Brassy Minnow | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Brook Stickleback | Stickleback | Warmwater | Native |
| Brook Trout | Trout | Coldwater | Introduced |
| Brown Trout | Trout | Coldwater | Introduced |
| Burbot | Codfish | Coldwater | Native |
| Channel Catfish | Catfish | Warmwater | Native |
| Cisco | Trout | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Common Carp | Minnow | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Creek Chub | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Emerald Shiner | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Fathead Minnow | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Flathead Chub | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Freshwater Drum | Drum | Warmwater | Native |
| Golden Shiner | Minnow | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Goldeye | Mooneye | Warmwater | Native |
| Green Sunfish | Sunfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Lake Chub | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Largemouth Bass | Sunfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Longnose Dace | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Longnose Sucker | Sucker | Warmwater | Native |
| Mottled Sculpin | Sculpin | Native | |
| Mountain Sucker | Sucker | Native | |
| Mountain Whitefish | Trout | Coldwater | Native |
| Northern Pike | Pike | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Northern Redbelly Dace | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Paddlefish | Paddlefish | Warmwater | Native |
| Pallid Sturgeon | Sturgeon | Warmwater | Native |
| Plains Killifish | Killifish | Introduced | |
| Plains Minnow | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Pumpkinseed | Sunfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Rainbow Smelt | Smelt | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Rainbow Trout | Trout | Coldwater | Introduced |
| River Carpsucker | Sucker | Warmwater | Native |
| Rock Bass | Sunfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Sailfin Molly | Livebearer | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Sand Shiner | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Sauger | Perch | Warmwater | Native |
| Shorthead Redhorse | Sucker | Warmwater | Native |
| Shortnose Gar | Gar | Warmwater | Native |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Sturgeon | Warmwater | Native |
| Sicklefin Chub | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Smallmouth Bass | Sunfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Smallmouth Buffalo | Sucker | Warmwater | Native |
| Spottail Shiner | Minnow | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Stonecat | Catfish | Native | |
| Sturgeon Chub | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| Walleye | Perch | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Western Silvery Minnow | Minnow | Warmwater | Native |
| White Bass | Sunfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| White Crappie | Sunfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| White Sucker | Sucker | Warmwater | Native |
| Yellow Bullhead | Catfish | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Yellow Perch | Perch | Warmwater | Introduced |
| Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout | Trout | Coldwater | Native |
| Species | Family | Class | Native to MT |