By Field & Stream Online Editors. Because the river flows through wilderness, you will have to walk to get to the stream. During summer, lunkers seek haven in the deeper, cooler waters, so the fishing is often better at night. Check out Rock Creek for great blue ribbon fishing. This makes it a good sleeper stream. Rainbow and brown trout are your main targets although cutthroat and grayling can be found as well. This bed breakfast is located in the heart of Glacier Country Montana. Our guides are knowledgeable of the best fishing locations the state has to offer. Each February a drawing for permits is held. Love Montana? The Montana state record brown trout was caught in Wade Lake and was nearly 30 pounds. The history of fishing the Clark Fork River is one of a dead river due to runoff of mining waste. Rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat, and lake trout are all found in Yellowstone along with grayling and mountain whitefish if you know where to look. It’s open for fishing from November 15 to September 15, so you can try for your catch of the day almost anytime. September is a transition month in Montana. On the lakes, sinking line will help in the deeper water. Below Ennis Lake, the river flows through the famous Beartrap Canyon. Stay in Cooke City Montana and make the short drive into the Lamar Valley. Best Ranches in Montana, United States: See traveler reviews, candid photos and great deals on ranches in Montana on Tripadvisor. Many grizzly bears call the wilderness home so take appropriate bear precautions. Today, angler’s come from all over to try for the large rainbow and brown trout that call this river home. Make sure and bring plenty of flies to match a variety of hatches. A float tube or canoe is probably best. Standard attractor dry flies are often the best approach on this fine trout stream. These non-native fish have significantly affected the native cutthroat population and the Park Service goes to great lengths to remove as many lake trout as possible. The rainbow trout are normally measured in pounds there with ten pound fish a distinct possibility. It's also great location for spot-and-stalk bear hunting come springtime. Big Sky Country is brimming with wonderful spots for fishing. Golden Stonefly Nymphs, June and July, size 4-6 The majority of anglers head for the upper river immediately below Clark Canyon Dam. 8. 2. The lower Beaverhead suffers from summer drawdowns due to irrigation demands. However, once you arrive at this jewel and are blown away by the scenery, think about how nice it would be to fly fish in such amazing surroundings. The river provides epic fishing for native cutthroat trout along with some rainbows. This is a textbook, boulder-strewn river with a bit of whitewater mixed in. Native Yellowstone cutthroat abound here and are normally easy to catch. Because of the tumbling nature of Rock Creek, stoneflies are plentiful including the salmonfly hatch that brings anglers from all over. Fishing to these risers out of a drift boat with callibaetis or trico imitations provides consistent action as long as the wind is not blowing too hard. Salmonflies, golden stoneflies, and yellow sallies are found on many streams and rivers. Gulpers can be found cruising here just like on Hebgen Lake. These two lakes are found close to the Madison River at $3 Bridge. Here you can fish such famed waters as the Lamar itself, Soda Butte Creek, or Slough Creek. A particularly good plan is to fish the lake in the morning until the winds pick up. Don’t forget some spruce moth patterns as they are particularly plentiful on the Gallatin. The same goes for the spring creeks as well where three or four weight rods are best unless it is unbearably windy. You can visit their website here: On their website, you can find information about fish stocking, regulations, and buy your fishing license. Bring light rods, long leaders, and fine tippets for these educated trout. The big treat here is that you can also fish for bull trout. Standing dead trees are found throughout much of the lake. You … River Traditions LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com”, http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/regulations/default.html?id=fishing#fishing, Bead Head Pheasant Tail Nymph, Size 14-20, Terrestrials such as beetles, hoppers, and ants, mid to late summer, Callibaetis, nymphs, emergers, duns and spinners, size 14-16, Trico, both duns and spinners, black and olive, size 20-26. The good news is that the Gallatin is a premier dry fly river. There are both lakes and streams here. The state’s enlightened stream access laws are angler friendly making it easy to find a good place to fly fish. Remember that by Montana law, you can access the river below the high water mark. Thank you! Check current regulations if you intend to target bull trout to make sure that you stay legal. Don’t get too focused on your fishing. 1. This is probably because of the lower overall fish counts on the Jefferson. Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State. The large rainbow and brown trout along with an occasional mountain whitefish will keep you entertained for days. Located in Montana’s Northern Rockies, the City of Missoula is home to plenty of blue-ribbon trout fishing, kayaking adventures and nearby hiking trails. This is one of the premier wilderness fly fishing destinations in the lower 48. We recommend serious anglers stick to the Madison or Grayling arms of the lake. Their willingness to attack dry flies is what makes the cutthroat an angler favorite. These streams make a great day trip if you are staying in Livingston or Gardner and fishing the Yellowstone River. Thankfully, this issue has largely been addressed through ongoing Superfund cleanup efforts and the river is being revived. A boat is the best way to fish this lake although some of the shoreline is accessible. This classic freestone is close to Missoula. The next morning, we returned and changed tactics. Add in numerous hatches providing good dry fly action and you have a fly angler’s dream. Below Ruby Reservoir, the river becomes an excellent brown trout fishery. The Best Places to Go Fishing Along the Florida Keys. The run gets stronger as you get deeper into fall. Located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation east of Glacier National Park, this spot draws anglers from across the country and from Canada. Once it gets breezy, the chop on the lake surface makes it tough to dry fly fish. Evening caddis hatches can be fantastic as well. If it is windy and you are fishing big water, a six weight might be a good idea to bring as well. Small nymphs and light tippets are the key to success here. The amazing diversity of wild trout waters ensures that there is destination to match nearly all interest and skill levels. Anyone who is already in the vicinity owes it to themselves to spend at least a day or two here. The low pressure can also be attributed to the more remote nature of this river. Cast your line in the Paradise Valley or on Flathead Lake, … If you take the time to drive up the gravel road there a few miles, you will discover two of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Montana. This is the river for anglers looking to avoid the crowds. A nearby option that runs under the radar is the Blackfoot tribal lands on the east side of Glacier National Park. Learn more at: http://www.alwaystravelwithfishinggear.com/p/blog-page_2.html. Streamers, just about any time but especially in the fall for large brown trout. However, the river fishes well throughout the warm months. The Nelson Reservoir, which is close to Malta, is full of perch and walleye as well as some lesser known species. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is responsible for making and enforcing fishing regulations. Another of Montana’s world famous fly fishing destination rivers, the Bighorn begins in Wyoming before it flows north into Bighorn Lake. These crystal clear lakes offer sight fishing opportunities to cruising trout although most fishing is done subsurface. There are also places to go swimming and fishing. The best bass fishing in Montana takes place in the morning and late evening. While Bozeman is mostly known as a popular base for enjoying outdoor activities like fly fishing, hiking and skiing, there are plenty of things to do right in town, as one of the more diverse, eclectic cities in Montana. Heavy hatches of mayflies like pale morning duns bring seemingly every fish in the stream to the surface. Montana is known for its beautiful National Parks Glacier Park and Yellowstone Park. This river is famous for its dry fly fishing so come prepared to sight fish to big trout. Downstream from $3 Bridge, much of the river can be accessed and fished by float anglers. Tricos in late summer into the fall bring some of the most technical fishing of the year on this trout stream. Two Medicine Lakes at Glacier National Park holds a nice variety of brook trout and rainbow trout. Below its junction with the East Fork of the Gallatin, float fishing is allowed. Most of the snow from the previous winter has melted out and river flows are low even on a big water year. Callibaetis and midges are the main bugs here. The lower Ruby River provides some of the best hopper fishing opportunities in Montana. Want to catch big fish? The longest undammed river in the country is gorgeous, and the fly fishing is great. This is one of the best rivers in Montana for wading anglers. Check out the lakes there for potentially enormous trout. Hopper Imitations, mid to late summer, size 2-8 This section has many crawfish, so bring some imitations and target the larger trout that live here. Streamers can also sometimes attract those big browns. Even better, take a break during the heat of the day and fish the evening hatch once other anglers have left the river. The Madison is sometimes called the 50 Mile Riffle. Because it is not close to other famous Montana waters, a trip to the Bighorn is a dedicated single destination trip unless you have an abundance of time. Bring a variety of leaders and tippet material. West of the continental divide, numerous natural lakes exist that can supply endless fishing opportunities. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. Known for some of the best trout fishing in the country, Missoula is home to the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and the Big Blackfoot rivers. Dry flies are often the best choice on this perfect fly fishing river. Bozeman is located in the southwestern part of Montana and is a great place for those seeking clean, fresh air... Whitefish. The only natural lake on the Madison River, Quake Lake was formed by a strong earthquake in 1959. Also, keep an eye out for the grizzly bears that call the park home. Due to the river’s large size, float fishing is probably the best bet although walk and wade anglers can find fish as well. We recommend a well-stocked fly box for success. Boston, MA. Missouri River. Fishing the Bighorn River is a bit of an undertaking. The good news is that this river also features phenomenal mayfly and caddis hatches along with some stoneflies. You will find rainbow, brown, and a few cutthroat trout here. Remember to bring long leaders as these fish get spooky! My first time fishing Montana was something of a revelation. Hunting. As with all large lake fishing, a fishing boat is pretty much a necessity, preferably one with a motor. Use streamers to target the brown trout in the river. Rainbow and brown trout dominate although a few brook trout can be found in the upper reaches. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! Since this is often ambiguous, it is best to stay in the actual stream if you choose to fish through private water to avoid problems. The second largest of Montana’s cities is Missoula, the home to the sprawling campus of the University of Montana. If you are looking for the famous Yellowstone cutthroat trout, keep your fishing closer to Gardner. Movoto Real Estate Group compiled a list and narrowed it down to 11 of Montana’s best towns to live in–their choices may, or may not, surprise you. If you want a signed copy straight from the source, head over to bobmallard.com [divider]About the Author[/divider] The Smith River is unusual because of the limited access and restrictions on the number of boats allowed to launch each day. That is because float fishing is not allowed on a majority of the Gallatin River so waders will have the river to themselves as far as the fishing is concerned. Duck Lake. Come prepared for true winter fishing conditions. Fort Peck is one of the most popular fishing spots in Eastern Montana, but there are some other great waters worth exploring. It can be overwhelming with all of the great options to decide where to spend your time if you only have a day or two to enjoy fly fishing in Bozeman. The short tailwater below the lake is excellent, but our favorite fishing is downstream of Quake Lake. For anglers, fishing in Montana is about as close as you can get to heaven. Whether you enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, or just lounging on the shores with a picnic, the perfect lake is never far away when you live in Montana. Expect cutthroat and rainbow trout in the upper reaches with a transition towards rainbow and brown trout in the lower stretches of Rock Creek. Stay at the Holter Campground below the dam which offers a boat ramp to launch your boat. This is one of the only places in Montana where it is legal to do so although there are some limitations. The Jefferson River is one of the three main tributaries of the mighty Missouri River and also happens to be the least fished. The river contains rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat, and brown trout. If you want to fish on Yellowstone Lake, remember you have to kill all lake trout caught. This is the place to go to try your hand at catching wild, native fish. Canyon Ferry Lake boasts a 122 kilometre shoreline that is home to boat ramps, day-use areas, camping grounds and marinas. The Park itself could keep a fly angler busy for the rest of their life. You may also find an occasional grayling here. The fish are quite spooky at times and so the ability to have a lighter presentation is ideal. People don’t really go to Glacier to fly fish. More Fishing. While trout numbers are not as high, if you hit it right it won’t matter. If you’re a lucky lottery winner, you’ll be catching brown and rainbow trout that average 14-16 inches long. Luckily, hunters have reached a general consensus on some of the best places to hunt for different types of game, offering newcomers great tips and tricks that make picking the best spot easier. Rainbow trout are the main quarry on the Bitterroot although some cutthroat and brown trout can be found as well. It has information on individual local chapters and can be found here: There are many excellent fly shops across Montana. But don’t get too attached to the fish you hook—it’s catch and release only. Most of the best lake fishing east of the continental divide in Montana is located in the various reservoirs created by dams. Good shoreline to walk and wade are more limited but not impossible to find. The Madison River begins in Yellowstone National Park at the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon rivers. With its headwaters in Yellowstone National Park (see #21), the Yellowstone River flows north out of Wyoming and into Montana as a world class blue ribbon fishery. Another lake located on the Madison River, Ennis lake also offers some great fly fishing. But, if you’re not into river fishing, other bodies of water, like Lake McDonald, are filled with very healthy populations of cutthroat and some very large lake trout. My buddy and I were on a weeklong camping trip to Yellowstone National Park. A recent article on movoto.com revealed that Montana, aka “The Last Best Place”, has some incredibly amazing towns in the state that are also dubbed the best places to live in the treasure state. Stop to enjoy the scenery as often as possible. The scenery here is spectacular. While the park stretch is well worth exploring, the best fishing in Montana occurs further downstream. Whitefish are also present as in most Montana rivers. Here are a few of the flies you shouldn’t leave home without. Best Places to Fly Fish in Montana. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Wade into crystal clear lakes or pebble-filled trout streams. Fishing huge dry flies among the standing dead trees can be epic. Unlike other Montana rivers, anyone who wants to fish the Smith River needs a permit. Then the Bighorn is for you. In the West, Montana has earned the reputation as perhaps the best trout fishing spot in North America. As a tailwater, the Bighorn fishes very well on standard tailwater patterns. Blackfoot River. It’s packed with brown trout, so it is not as diverse as other locations we’ve talked about earlier on. One of the most popular lakes in Glacier National Park also happens to be a great fishing spot. This makes it ideal for fly anglers. While there are many great places to fly fish on the Missouri River, some of the best fishing is in the stretch below Holter Dam. Hebgen Lake is a special trout fishery. Bull trout can be found, but most of the fishing here is for native cutthroat trout. It also happens to be the longest free flowing river in the contiguous United States. You could fish for decades and still not experience the full potential of the Yellowstone. If you get the opportunity, make an effort to hit the salmonfly hatch here. That said, it can provide memorable fishing opportunities if you take the time to fish it. Thus, it is fished less than the rest of the river. Angling pressure is lower here which probably helps. All bull trout caught are strictly catch and release. Ever since that first magical trip, I always try to make time to fish some of the best water in Montana anytime I am close. This major tributary of the Jefferson River offers something for everyone. Below Yellowtail Dam, the Bighorn River tailwater provides world class fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout. In fact, the Flathead National Forest might be one of the nation's best sleeper spots for trophy whitetails. The fishing can be pretty good as well. If there was only one place to recommend fishing in Montana, that would be Yellowstone River. Find area description and characteristics, area amenities and things to do, climate and weather, housing options, cost of living, senior assistance, area demographics and job & volunteer opportunities. Originally explored by Lewis and Clark, the Missouri River has a long history as a major gateway to the western United States. Depending on the time of year and flies you are throwing, you might be able to go heavier. In the 1980s, Ashley Lake yielded a state and world record hybrid rainbow-cutthroat trout. Tan and olive caddis in size 14-18 should cover most situations. Situated on the Yellowstone River, it is only an hour by drive to Yellowstone National Park. As boat traffic can be heavy in other areas of the lake. 2) Fishing on Martha’s Vineyard. Summer pale morning duns in size 14-16 along with evening caddis in 14-18 will keep the dry fly connoisseur happy all day. Fort Peck is one of the most popular fishing spots in Eastern Montana, but there are some other great waters worth exploring. Here, brown trout dominate and access is tough. The famous $3 Bridge wade access is always crowded, but there is good reason. Brown drakes can also be found hatching about the same time. Don’t go here for the fly fishing. Let’s take a look below at some of the many towns an angler must visit while in Montana. Check your local fly shop for “25 Best Towns for Fly Fishing for Trout” or order directly from Stonefly Press. Overall numbers of trout begin to decline as you head downriver from Livingston although there are some large trout and even a few sections that still have high densities. In town, the Buffalo Café serves up its namesake breakfast "pies", which take the form of haystack-high hashbrowns piled with eggs, cheese, sausage and other fixin's. The National Park Service does have special regulations including seasonal and permanent closures on certain stretches. So in no particular order, here are our picks for the best fishing cities to visit in the US this coming year. Coming out of the high mountainous region of Yellowstone, it flows very cold throughout the year. Of course, the Yellowstone River within the National Park is a must fish. The trout grow large here. A weight forward floating line will work for most applications. No matter what town in Montana you are visiting, we can design and facilitate an ideal fishing adventure. For most of your fishing in Montana, a standard fast action nine foot five weight fly rod is best. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: The Smith River is one of the most amazing fishing spots in Montana… if you’re lucky enough to get there. To be able to float the Smith River, you have to enter a drawing for a permit and hope you get one. There’s an abundance of trout in this river, and the summer dry fly fishing is excellent. As with most cutthroat trout, standard attractor dry flies from size 8-16 are best. While the explorers didn’t find the hoped for water route to the Pacific, they did discover one of the best trout streams in the country. Many of the large trout in Ennis Lake migrate upstream to spawn. Here’s a LINK to my store -> River Traditions, “This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. Try night time mousing for huge rainbow and brown trout with guide Bryan Allison. There are lifetime’s of fly fishing opportunities within an hour of Bozeman, MT. This section gets crowded and has special regulations on float access so check the current regulations for more info. Missoula and West Yellowstone are two … The outdoor opportunities are endless, from fishing to hiking to biking and great parks it … The northeast corner of the Park is also a treat. Nailing down the specifics on this run is tough, but if you hit it right you might catch the brown trout of a lifetime. Bass are generally found near some kind of cover - shady spots under weed beds, over-hanging trees, logs, brush, stumps, rocks and rocky points. For the lakes, make sure you bring callibaetis and trico patterns as well as some leech and crawfish patterns. 3) All you need to know about Montauk. The Kalispell area lake remains a great place for fishing. Livingston is certainly worthy of being in the top three best places to live in Montana. Yellow sallies are also plentiful. There are plenty of access points to launch a boat on Hebgen. The following are the best of the best, but don’t forget to get off the beaten path and find those hidden gems as well. When these fish are in Hebgen, they provide opportunities for sight fishing cruising risers on calm days. The clear rivers and streams are fed by runoff from the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, an ideal environment for trout and salmon. The whole lake is quite shallow making fly fishing the method of choice. This, along with Rock Creek, is a favorite with wading anglers. Montana: What You Need To Know Living in Montana gives residents access to some of the best trout fishing in the country, massive mountains and wide open prairies. The Nelson Reservoir, which is close to Malta, is full of perch and walleye as well as some lesser known species. For campsites with a view, the best campgrounds in Montana are within eyesight of glacial lakes, snowy mountains, and trout-filled rivers, nestling into the many state parks, national forests, and special places across the state. Wet a line in the most productive towns in the country. Looking for something a little bit different? The Most Beautiful Towns in Montana Bozeman. Known for jumbo sized brown trout, the Beaverhead is a surprisingly small river considering the size of the fish that live there. If you are interested in local fishing clubs in Montana, check out the state’s Trout Unlimited page. Located in the southwest portion of Montana, the Bitterroot River is conveniently located reasonably close to Missoula. Once it enters Montana, it flows through Hebgen Lake. January 9, 2008. The South Fork of the Flathead River begins and flows through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Best Montana Fly Fishing Rivers. The fishing regulations can be found here: Information on fish stocking is found here: Fly Fishers International located in Livingston Montana has great information about fly fishing: Montana Trout Unlimited is also a great resource. This river is not as pressured as some Montana waters although does get its fair share of anglers. The river forms at Three Forks where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin River’s come together. Here are just a few of our favorites. They’re popular, easy to find, and beautiful. If you are one of the lucky few, then you get the privilege of a multiday float trip through some of the most beautiful scenery around. 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