DIY Fly Fishing GuideDestinations map

Fly Fishing in Montana

50 featured rivers, lakes and streams in Montana, each with target species, a hatch chart and a map of nearby access.

Beaverhead River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
A technical tailwater known for large brown trout. The clear, cold water below Clark Canyon Dam produces fish over 20 inches regularly.
Big Hole River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Arctic Grayling)
Home to the last river-dwelling Arctic grayling population in lower 48. Excellent brown and rainbow fishing.
Bighorn River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
A tailwater fishery with consistent temperatures year-round, producing large brown and rainbow trout. Excellent midging opportunities in winter.
Bitterroot River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Flowing through the Bitterroot Valley near Missoula. Excellent dry fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout.
Blackfoot River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Made famous by Norman Maclean's writings, this scenic freestone river offers classic dry fly fishing in a pristine wilderness setting.
Boulder River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Near Big Timber with excellent freestone fishing. Wild rainbow and brown trout in beautiful canyon.
Clark Fork River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
A recovering river now producing excellent fishing. Large brown trout and beautiful scenery make this an emerging destination.
Dearborn River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Wild and Scenic River near Augusta. Rainbow and brown trout in stunning canyon scenery.
East Rosebud Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Another Beartooth gem with wild trout. Technical fishing in remote mountain setting.
Fish Creek (Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout)
Near Alberton with wild cutthroat and bull trout. Remote backcountry fishing experience.
Flathead River (Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Three forks combine near Kalispell. Native westslope cutthroat and bull trout in glacier-fed waters.
Flint Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Near Philipsburg with wild brown and rainbow trout. Scenic Flint Creek Valley fishing.
Gallatin River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
A freestone river flowing through scenic canyon country, offering pocket water fishing and excellent dry fly opportunities. Featured in 'A River Runs Through It'.
Georgetown Lake Outlet (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Below Georgetown Lake with wild rainbow and brook trout. Popular fly fishing spot.
Jefferson River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
One of the three forks forming the Missouri. Brown trout fishing in scenic valley setting.
Kootenai River (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Northwestern Montana tailwater below Libby Dam. Trophy rainbow trout with excellent dry fly fishing.
Little Bighorn River (Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Historic river near Crow Agency with brown trout and smallmouth. Unique fishing destination.
Little Blackfoot River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Tributary of the Clark Fork with wild brown and rainbow trout. Less crowded alternative.
Madison River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
One of the most famous trout streams in America, the Madison River offers exceptional dry fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. Known for its prolific hatches and stunning mountain scenery.
Marias River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Below Tiber Dam with rainbow and brown trout. Less crowded northeastern Montana option.
Middle Fork Flathead River (Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout)
Wild and Scenic River along Glacier's southern boundary. Remote wilderness fishing for native trout.
Milk River (Walleye, Northern Pike, Sauger)
Northern Montana prairie river with walleye, pike, and sauger. Unique plains fishing.
Mill Creek (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Paradise Valley tributary with wild cutthroat and rainbow trout. Scenic backcountry fishing.
Missouri River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Below Holter Dam, this legendary tailwater produces trophy rainbow and brown trout. Famous for its trico and PMD hatches with fish averaging 16-20 inches.
Musselshell River (Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Central Montana prairie stream with brown trout and smallmouth bass. Underrated fishery.
North Fork Flathead River (Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout)
Pristine river forming Glacier National Park's western boundary. Native westslope cutthroat in crystal-clear water.
Powder River (Channel Catfish, Sauger)
Eastern Montana prairie river with catfish and sauger. Unique plains fishing experience.
Prickly Pear Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Near Helena with wild brown and rainbow trout. Good fishing close to the capital city.
Rattlesnake Creek (Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout)
Near Missoula with wild cutthroat and bull trout. Wilderness area fishing close to town.
Rock Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
A beautiful freestone stream known for its salmonfly hatch and wild trout population. Offers solitude and classic western fly fishing.
Ruby River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Southwest Montana freestone with wild brown and rainbow trout. Less pressured than nearby rivers.
Shields River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Tributary of the Yellowstone near Livingston. Wild brown and rainbow trout with good access.
Slough Creek (Cutthroat Trout)
Just north of Yellowstone Park boundary. World-class cutthroat fishing in meadow water.
Smith River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
A permit-only float trip through limestone canyons. Multi-day adventures with excellent fishing for brown and rainbow trout in pristine wilderness.
Soda Butte Creek (Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Near Cooke City with wild brook and cutthroat trout. Gateway to the Beartooth wilderness.
South Fork Flathead River (Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout)
Flows from the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Excellent backcountry fishing for native cutthroat and bull trout.
Spotted Bear River (Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout)
Bob Marshall Wilderness tributary with native cutthroat and bull trout. True wilderness fishing.
St. Regis River (Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout)
Western Montana freestone with wild cutthroat and brook trout. Less pressured waters.
Stillwater River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness gateway. Wild rainbow and brown trout in pristine mountain water.
Sun River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Flowing from the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Excellent rainbow trout fishing below Gibson Dam.
Swan River (Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Scenic river connecting Swan Lake to Flathead Lake. Wild cutthroat and bull trout in mountain setting.
Teton River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Rocky Mountain Front stream with wild rainbow and brown trout. Scenic prairie fishing.
Thompson River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Freestone river near Thompson Falls with wild rainbow and brown trout. Less crowded alternative.
Tom Miner Creek (Cutthroat Trout)
Small stream near Yellowstone with wild cutthroat. Remote fishing experience.
Tongue River (Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish)
Southeastern Montana with smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish. Warm water fishery.
West Fork Bitterroot River (Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout)
Remote tributary with wild cutthroat and bull trout. Wilderness fishing in the Selway-Bitterroot.
West Rosebud Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
High country stream below Mystic Lake. Rainbow and brook trout in stunning alpine setting.
Wise River (Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Tributary of the Big Hole with wild brook and rainbow trout. Small stream fishing at its finest.
Yaak River (Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout)
Remote northwestern Montana stream with wild cutthroat. Off-the-beaten-path fishing experience.
Yellowstone River (Montana Section) (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
The longest undammed river in the lower 48 states. Paradise Valley section offers world-class fishing for cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout.

Fly Fishing in Montana

Fly Fishing in Other States