Yellowstone Challenge

May 09, 2026 by Montana Cats Staff

5/9/26 Huntley, MT. -  For two decades the top Catfisherman in the State of Montana have kicked off the Montana Cats Circuit in Huntley.  This year marked the 20th Annual Yellowstone Challenge Catfish Tournament.  The Challenge is a competitive family-friendly event that takes place on the 2nd Saturday of every May.  Like clockwork, a FULL field of 60 two-person teams will hit the water in their Jet Boats and tackle the Stone for a full eight hours.  This year's event ran from 10 AM to 6 PM and offered the anglers changing weather patterns throughout the day; from rains, to overcast, to variable sunshine.  Despite the various weather changes, the fish came out to play all day long and it resulted in the most impressive top-end of the leaderboard in tournament history.  44 teams finished with over 20 lbs. and an incredible 17 teams finished with over 30 lbs.  The latter marks an all-time RECORD surpassing the total number of 30 lb. baskets set just last year in the 2025 Yellowstone Challenge.    

May 10, 2025 by Montana Cats

Huntley, MT- The 2025 Montana Cats Tournament Circuit kicked off this past weekend in Huntley with the 19th Annual Yellowstone Challenge.  The Yellowstone Challenge boasts one of the most complete and competitive tourney rosters on the circuit year in and year out and this year's version did not disappoint.  Over a dozen past circuit champions littered the field with numerous top 3 place winners joining in.  The weather proved to be beautiful once again, with temps creeping near 80 and increasing water levels due to rain earlier in the week.  The high temps and rising water levels sent a signal to the Channel Cats to throw on the feed bag in record fashion.   When the dust settled, 49 teams finished with over 20lbs (4 lb avg), 33 teams over 25 lbs and 11 teams over the elusive 30 lb mark.  These marks smashed previous records in all weight categories and are a testament to the amazing conditions, health of the fishery and mastery displayed by the tournament anglers.

May 11, 2024 by Montana Cats Staff

5/11/24 / Huntley, MT- The 18^th Annual Yellowstone Challenge kicked off the 2024 Montana Cats tourney circuit off this past weekend in grand fashion.  The Friday night festivities were highlighted with a social/Calcutta at the first-time tourney headquarters Longbranch Bar & Casino in Ballantine.  Paula and staff played gracious hosts & their outdoor venue provided a perfect backdrop for the Montana Catfish Association annual kick-off event.

May 13, 2023 by Montana Cats Staff

5/13/23, Huntley, MT- The Yellowstone River is the longest free flowing river in the lower 48.  In it’s most Western reaches it boasts trophy class trout.  The further east it meanders, the water temperature rises.  The combination of rising water temps, plentiful forage fish and attractive underwater structure transforms the Yellowstone from a Trout haven, into one of the finest Channel Catfish destinations in the region.  The primary Channel Catfish populations in the Yellowstone span from the confluence near Williston, ND to as far West as Huntley, MT.  The western boundary of this long free flowing beauty is where the Yellowstone Challenge Catfish tournament has taken place the past 17 years, the second Saturday in May. 

May 14, 2022 by Montana Cats Staff

The 16th Annual Yellowstone Challenge Catfish Tournament kicked off the 2022 Montana Cats tour this past weekend in Huntley.  The total 60 team field filled weeks in advance, a clear indication of the excitement surrounding this year’s event.  The teams gathered on Friday night at the NEW tournament headquarters at the beautiful Rhoadside Event Center in downtown Huntley for the rules meeting and Calcutta.  If the “chatter” at the initial meeting were any indication, this year’s event would present a whole NEW set of challenges.  

Area drought conditions created uncharacteristically LOW flows, which required not only NEW fish locating re but requirements also superb boat navigation skills.  The week leading up to competition days saw flows as low as 4K CFS.  For comparison’s sake, the 2019 tourney boasted 40,000 CFS flows on the high side, more than 10X for flows for the 2022 event.  It’s these constant changing river conditions year-to-year and day-to-day, especially early season, that force anglers to adapt their skills to maximize catch rates.