Try Now

Get the FlyFishFinder app

Free on iPhone and Android.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Fly Fishing in Montana

The Madison, the Yellowstone, the Missouri and the Big Hole, native westslope cutthroat in mountain creeks, and big hatches all summer: Montana is one of the great fly fishing states.

  • 34River guides
  • 36Game fish
  • Late Jun–SepPrime season

Flows right now in Montana

4 of 11 top rivers are flowing normal for today

USGS readings compared with each gage's daily flow percentiles (historical record for today's date).

Check the water before you go

Live flows, hatches and fishability ratings for every one of these rivers, in the free FlyFishFinder app.

Get the free app

When to go

How busy the hatches are each month across Montana, from the watershed hatch charts.

  • Fewer to more hatches
  • Prime season
  • Runoff
  • This month

Typical hatches in Montana in October

Starting next month: Midge

Smaller streams often see lighter or later hatches; check local reports.

Fish in Montana

Tap a fish to see every Montana river that holds it.

Brown Trout In 30 river guides Brook Trout In 29 river guides
Rainbow Trout In 29 river guides
Mountain Whitefish In 27 river guides
Westslope Cutthroat Trout In 20 river guides
Bull Trout In 14 river guides Common Carp In 14 river guides
Northern Pike In 10 river guides
28 more game fish
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Burbot Smallmouth Bass Yellow Perch Walleye Cutbow Black Bullhead Channel Catfish Goldeye Largemouth Bass Pumpkinseed Arctic Grayling Sauger Crappie Kokanee Salmon Bigmouth Buffalo Freshwater Drum Green Sunfish Lake Whitefish Paddlefish Saugeye Shovelnose Sturgeon Bluegill Lake Trout Yellow Bullhead Redband Trout Rock Bass Shortnose Gar

Fly fishing in Montana

Montana has world-class trout water and a lot of it. In the southwest, the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Big Hole and Beaverhead are famous rivers for rainbow and brown trout. The Missouri below Holter Dam is a big tailwater with steady flows and heavy hatches, and the Bighorn in the southeast is another well-known tailwater.

Western Montana has its own classics. The Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork and Rock Creek run through mountain valleys, and the Flathead, Swan and Kootenai drainages hold native westslope cutthroat and bull trout. Westslope cutthroat are found in more Montana streams than any other trout, so small mountain creeks are worth exploring.

The Big Hole is also known for its native fluvial Arctic grayling, one of the few river populations left in the lower 48. Mountain whitefish are common in many rivers too and take nymphs readily in winter.

Tips for fishing Montana

  • Know the stream access law

    Montana's stream access law lets you fish rivers and streams between the high-water marks if you get in legally, like from a bridge or public access site. Do not cross private land without permission.

  • Fish the tailwaters during runoff

    When the freestone rivers blow out in late spring, head to the Missouri or the Bighorn. Steady flows mean good nymph and dry fly fishing.

  • Fish the hatches

    Salmonflies and golden stones often hatch on many rivers in early summer, followed by caddis, PMDs and other mayflies. Late summer is hopper season.

  • Explore the small creeks

    Mountain creeks in western Montana hold native westslope cutthroat that rise to dry flies. A light rod and a box of attractors is all you need.

  • Respect the hot days

    In hot, dry summers, fish early in the morning, land fish quickly and keep them wet. Check for any afternoon closures before you go.

Find the right Montana river for today.

  • Top Waters Today ranks the rivers near you on live conditions
  • Every access point and parking area on one map
  • Live flows from every USGS gauge in the state
Get the free app

Montana fly fishing FAQ

Where is the best fly fishing in Montana?

Southwest Montana has the Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Big Hole and Beaverhead. The Missouri and Bighorn are top tailwaters, and western Montana has the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Clark Fork and Rock Creek.

When is the best time to fly fish in Montana?

July through September, after runoff, is the most popular time. Spring before runoff and the fall months are also very good and less crowded.

What trout species live in Montana?

Rainbow, brown and brook trout are common, along with native westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat, bull trout and cutbows. The Big Hole also has native Arctic grayling.

Can I fish for bull trout in Montana?

Bull trout are a protected species. In most waters you cannot target or keep them, and any you catch must be released right away. Check Montana FWP's current rules.

What is the salmonfly hatch?

Salmonflies are large stoneflies that often hatch on rivers like the Madison, Big Hole and Yellowstone in early summer. Trout feed hard on them, and big dry flies work well.

Do I need a guide to fly fish in Montana?

No. Many rivers have public access sites and wading water. A guide can help you float big rivers and learn them quickly, but plenty of anglers fish on their own.

Get the free app
Sunrise on a river, the kind of water FlyFishFinder helps you find

See the best waters near you

The whole map, read in real time, ranked for today. That's FlyFishFinder.

Find your water See how it works

Rated 4.9 on the App Store