Smith River Fishing Access Site

Size

797 acres

Elevation

3,912 ft

Description

The Smith River is a unique 59-mile river corridor. Permits are required to float the stretch of Smith River between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge.

Noted for its spectacular scenery and renowned trout fishery, the Smith River is unique in that it has only one public put-in and one public take-out for the entire 59-mile segment of river. Boat camps located along the remote river canyon help preserve the unique quality of this area. Visit the Smith River web page for more information.

The Smith River between Camp Baker (launch site) and Eden Bridge (take-out site) is the only river corridor managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a permitted river. Permits for private floats on the Smith River are allocated to the public via a lottery system prior to the spring season. Permit applications are typically available the first week of January each year, with the application deadline of mid-February.

Find out about the latest fishing action with our Smith River Fishing Report

Nearest Town:

White Sulphur Springs

Features

Activities:

Boating

Fishing

Camping

Picnicking

Wildlife Viewing

Sanitation & Water:

Toilet

Fishing Water Reports

Smith River Fishing Report

The Smith River is nationally one of the most well known streams in the U.S., in large part because of the unique experience it offers. For visitors from all over Montana and across ... morethe country lucky enough to draw float permits, the Smith River float, with access to a 59-mile stretch of river only at its upper and lower ends, holds a pristine adventure. The river begins its 121-mile journey near the town of White Sulphur Springs where the North and South forks of the Smith merge. For much of its course, the mainstem runs through a broad valley between the Big Belt Mountains on the west and the Little Belt and Castle Mountains on the east.

From Camp Baker, the upper public access point to the canyon, the Smith carries rafters and canoers through a deep, rock-walled passage with great fishing, floating, and boat camping. Emerging at the canyon's lower end, the stream meanders on through rolling grass-covered hills until it reaches the Missouri, near Ulm.

Game Fish Opportunities: