Missouri River Montana Fly Fishing

GUIDED FISHING TRIPS ON THE MISSOURI RIVER

The Missouri River is an icon. It is reminiscent of a huge spring creek. The approach to fishing this river, and in turn the opportunities for big fish on small flies, makes the Missouri River one of Montana’s most famous fisheries. Insect hatches are prolific due to the Missouri’s extraordinary fertility, and anglers far and wide consider the “Mighty Mo” one of the greatest trout fisheries in the world.

SEASON(S)

April through October

SPECIES

Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Mountain Whitefish

AVERAGE SIZE

16-18 inches

TACKLE SUGGESTIONS

9ft, Five or Six Weight Medium Action Fly Rod

License and sales information can be found on Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website. https://fwp.mt.gov/

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RATES AND PACKAGES

OVERVIEW

During the month of May and first two weeks of June, the Linehan Outfitting crew guides on the Missouri River.

The headwaters of the Missouri River are actually in the high country of Yellowstone Park and the main stem forms in Three Forks, Montana where the Madison, Gallatin, and Jefferson rivers collide.

The Missouri River fishery starts right below Holter Dam in Wolf Creek, Montana and extends north to Cascade, Montana providing anglers with approximately thirty miles of fishable water. Just downstream from the dam, the Missouri River eases past Craig, Montana, a small town which has become a fly fishing de facto Mecca. Drift-boat fishing is a great way to access the Missouri River's legendary trout, and a day’s float affords some of the most spectacular scenery in the west.

The Missouri fishes like a huge spring creek, and anglers enjoy the opportunity to take big, powerful fish on small flies. The sheer volume of fish coupled with their quality and strength make the Missouri River one of Montana’s most famous rivers. The river is also extraordinarily fertile and loaded with biomass, and the resulting hatches on the Missouri River are incredible.

Fly into Helena, Great Falls, even Missoula, rent a car, and meet us in Craig, Montana. Craig is a very small town with a big fly fishing problem. It has four fly shops, plenty of lodging options and we can help arrange those details depending on your desire. There is no finer place for an early season Montana adventure than the Missouri River.