Looking for some blue ribbon trout fishing? Montana is home to some of the best fly fishing rivers in the world. With so many to choose from, which ones are the best to plan a trip around? Here are our top eight fly fishing rivers of Montana.
Beaverhead River
Located south of Dillon, the Beaverhead River starts at Clark Canyon Reservoir and flows to join the Big Hole River to form the Jefferson River. Large trout are in abundance with brown trout averaging 18 inches and fish over 20 inches not uncommon. The water tends to stay cool year round.
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Big Hole River
Know for its historic fly fishing, the Big Hole River begins at Skinner Lake in Beaverhead county and is a tributary of the Jefferson River. It is one of the few places in Montana where you can find the Artic Grayling. The Big Hole River cuts through a series of mountain ranges offering a wealth of stunning scenery before eventually flowing into the Jefferson River. Because of its higher altitude, it can stay cool even in the summer, so bring your layers.
Read More Big Hole Fishing Report
Blackfoot River
The Blackfoot River is well known for fly fishing with its cold, fast waters and deep spots containing a variety of trout (including rainbows, west slope cutthroats, browns, bulls, and white fish). A snow and spring fed river in Montana, the Blackfoot River begins 10 miles northeast of the town of Lincoln in Lewis and Clark County. The headwaters are between Rogers pass and Stemple pass and flow west through the town of Milltown.
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Gallatin River
With its amazing scenery, the Gallatin River is famous from the filming of A River Runs Through It. This classic freestone river winds through high alpine meadows, drops into the Gallatin Canyon, and runs into the Gallatin Valley. It converges with the Jefferson and the Madison River to form The Missouri River. It’s a popular blue ribbon fly fishing destination with its rainbow trout, brown trout, and whitefish. The Gallatin River is known for its easy access for wade fishing.
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Madison River
The Madison River, one of the most famous fly fishing rivers in Montana, begins at Yellowstone National Park, flows west then north through the mountains of southwestern Montana to join the Jefferson and Gallatin rivers at Three Forks. The Upper Madison River is known for long rifles and classic trout waters. In the middle of the Madison river, the Madison Dam has created Ennis Lake, a fantastic location for large rainbows and browns. Below the Dam, the Madison River flows through the Bear Trap Canyon whitewater rapids.
Read More Madison River Fishing Report | Ennis Montana Fly Fishing
Missouri River
The Missouri River is one of the longest rivers in In North America. As one of the most popular fisheries in Montana, it continues to produce the most and largest fish with over 4000 fish per mile. There is a constant water flow and temperatures are steady with its three reservoirs in a row. Float trips down the Missouri will not disappoint due to its excellent dry fly fishing which stretches from March to November.
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North Fork Flathead River
The North Fork Flathead River flows from Canada and spills into Montana and is one of the three primary forks of the Flathead River. It is known as one of Montana’s wild and scenic rivers because of its pristine and remote conditions. Other than Polebridge, which has no electricity, it doesn't pass through any towns of any size for its entire length. The water is cold and clear because it comes mostly from snowmelt. The North Fork is an exceptional Cutthroat fishery, with beautiful views of Glacier National Park. The smaller amount of available food for the trout offers much easier fishing with days of 20-30 fish not uncommon.
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River starts its journey at Yellowstone National park and flows for hundreds of miles through breathtaking scenery across Montana. This river starts out fast and cold and winds its way to the Missouri, where it slows and warms. The most popular sections to fish include from below the lake to Sulphur Cauldron. Just below Sulphur Cauldron are two beautiful water falls, a great place to sightsee.
Read More Yellowstone Fishing Report