Billings

{
  "id": "e927c5da-ca8e-46ae-80dc-273b2d80dc2e",
  "name": "Billings",
  "slug": "billings-mt",
  "type": "city",
  "status": "minimum",
  "tier": "t1",
  "centroid": {
    "crs": {
      "type": "name",
      "properties": {
        "name": "EPSG:4326"
      }
    },
    "type": "Point",
    "coordinates": [
      -108.5535505,
      45.7888907
    ]
  },
  "parentId": null,
  "country": "United States",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "stateProvince": "MT",
  "county": null,
  "timezone": "America/Denver",
  "descriptionShort": "Billings is Montana's largest city and the hub for accessing the Yellowstone River's most productive tailwater and freestone sections within an hour's drive.",
  "descriptionLong": "Billings anchors south-central Montana as the region's commercial and logistical center, sitting at 3,100 feet on the Yellowstone River's lower plains stretch. The city itself offers little in-stream fishing, but it's the natural staging point for anglers targeting the Yellowstone's world-class water within an hour in any direction. East toward Laurel, the Yellowstone runs through a broad agricultural valley where the river widens and slows, holding substantial brown and cutthroat trout in deeper pools and behind willows—classic dry-fly and nymph water in summer and fall. West toward Livingston, the river tightens into canyon country with faster current and more technical pocket water, favored by streamer anglers and those fishing subsurface. The Yellowstone here is primarily freestone above Billings, though the lower sections near the city show tailwater characteristics from Yellowstone Lake's influence upstream. Spring runoff typically peaks in May and June; by July the river drops to fishable levels with consistent flows through September. The Yellowstone's brown trout average 14 to 18 inches, with cutthroats smaller but abundant. Billings' location also provides access to the Stillwater River to the south and the Boulder River to the southwest, both excellent freestone streams with less pressure than the Yellowstone. The city has full services—fly shops, restaurants, rental cars, and direct flights from major hubs—making it an efficient base for a week of varied water. Most lodges operate within 30 to 60 minutes of downtown, allowing anglers to fish full days while maintaining comfortable accommodations and reliable resupply.",
  "imageUrl": null,
  "verticals": [],
  "waterCharacteristics": [],
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  "tags": null,
  "metadata": null,
  "nhdFeatureId": null,
  "gnisId": "02409849",
  "gnisName": null,
  "reachCode": null,
  "hucCode": null,
  "nhdPlusId": null,
  "streamOrder": null,
  "nhdFcode": null,
  "nhdFtype": null,
  "drainageAreaSqKm": null,
  "slopePercent": null,
  "elevationMin": null,
  "elevationMax": null,
  "lengthKm": null,
  "areaSqKm": 119.820742,
  "nhdGaugeIds": null,
  "noaaTideStationIds": null,
  "noaaCurrentStationIds": null,
  "censusGeoid": "3006550",
  "censusLsadc": "25",
  "areaWaterSqKm": 0.277939,
  "seoKeyword": "Billings MT fishing",
  "seoSearchVolume": 140,
  "seoCompetition": "LOW",
  "adCount": null,
  "advertiserCount": null,
  "source": "seed",
  "pipelineId": 14674,
  "createdAt": "2026-06-15T22:14:35.919Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-15T22:14:35.919Z",
  "destinationSpecies": [],
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}