Free Resource · Updated 2026
The Missouri River below Holter Dam near Craig is one of the most famous tailwaters in North America. Cold, clear water flows year-round through open prairie, holding enormous populations of large brown and rainbow trout. The Missouri is a technical fishery but the rewards match the challenge.
Missouri River Hatch Calendar — Quick Reference
The dam-controlled flows keep water temperatures stable and predictable year-round. Unlike freestone rivers, the Missouri does not have a runoff season that blows out fishing. This makes it fishable almost every month, which is unusual for Montana.
Midges are the workhorse hatch, producing consistent fishing through winter and early spring when other rivers are too cold or too high. BWO hatches fire on cloudy days from March through May and again in September and October. These afternoon hatches can be dense and the fish get very selective.
The PMD and Trico hatches from June through September are the summer signature. Trico spinner falls in the morning produce technical fishing that requires fine tippet and accurate presentations. The Missouri rewards patience and attention to detail more than any other Montana river.
See the full Montana Fly Hatch Chart for hatch timing across all of Montana's top trout streams.
Check Conditions Near Missouri RiverWhat to Fish
Trico spinner falls are the Missouri's most technical challenge. Clouds of spent Tricos drift over the water on summer mornings and fish rise steadily. Match the size exactly (usually #22-24) and use 6X or 7X tippet. The takes are subtle and the fish require patience.
Recommended: #22-26 Trico Spinner, CDC Trico
BWO hatches on the Missouri are dense and reliable during cloudy, cool days. Spring and fall hatches are the most productive. Fish prefer emerging duns and CDC emergers to adult patterns. The Missouri tailwater has exceptional fall BWO fishing through October and into November.
Recommended: #18-22 Sparkle Dun, RS2
PMD hatches on the Missouri produce consistent summer fishing. Fish rise in the steady tailwater currents throughout the morning. A Comparadun or parachute pattern works well. Fish here are accustomed to pressure and require accurate presentations.
Recommended: #16-18 Comparadun, CDC Dun
Midges fish well on the Missouri throughout the year, especially in winter and early spring when other hatches are absent. The tailwater keeps temperatures above freezing and midge hatches fire on mild winter afternoons. A size 24 Zebra Midge under a small indicator is the standard approach.
Recommended: #22-28 Zebra Midge, Griffiths Gnat
FlyFishFinder combines hatch knowledge with live gauge alerts, Prime condition indicators, and real angler intel so you show up on the right day, not the wrong one.
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