Fishing Season: late Spring/early Summer, Fall

Missouri River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

35

CrossCurrents Fly Shop's Tip of the Week

Winter - Trout Spey is the way to go during this time of year. Great time to try out the new Mission Trout Spey for a premium set up or get a Clearwater if you just want to get into it on a budget.

Directions open in app

Map of Missouri River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blue Damsel Lodge
Fins & Feathers
PRO Outfitters
Bitterroot Fly Company
Living Water

5-Day Outlook as of 1/28/26

After a cold week or so the weather is starting to warm up again. We are looking at highs in the high 40s to low 50s and lows hovering above freezing. Definitely keep an eye on the wind when planning your trip because that can make or break the conditions for a good day on the water.

Techniques & Tips as of 1/28/26

The two suggested techniques right now would be swinging smaller streamers or nymphing sowbug and midge patterns. With the dropping water temps the fish are starting to get more lethargic, this means when fishing streamers you will want to strip in the fly line very slowly in comparison to what would work in the spring through fall. For the best results you might try swinging them with most bites coming at the end of the swing! Target the buckets on the flats or the drop offs.

Local Species Available late Spring/early Summer, Fall

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    and White Fish

CrossCurrents Fly Shop's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Humphreys Cress Bug Red, purple, Pink #4 - #8
Lightning Bug N/A #16 - #18
Rouse's J-Dub Sow Bug N/A #14 -#18
Travis Para Ant N/A #16-#18
Tailwater Sowbug N/A #14 - #16
Warrior Perdigon N/A #16 - #18
Flashback Baetis Nymph N/A #16-#18
May's Full Motion Crayfish N/A #4 - #8
Sparkle Minnow Pearl, Sculpin #4 - #6
Lil' Kim N/A #4 - #8

Humphreys Cress Bug

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Item #26C6

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CrossCurrents Fly Shop's Recommended Gear

Description: About Missouri River

The Missouri River is one of the largest and most easily accessed rivers in Montana. The mighty MO is certainly a trout factory! Three reservoirs in a row make this tailwater fishery have a constant water flow and stable temperatures from day to day. Amazingly fertile, with prolific hatches of mayflies, caddis, and midges, the Missouri is a 365 day river. You'll see fish rising just about every day of the year. Take a float trip down the Missouri and you'll know why it made such a powerful impression on Lewis and Clark during their great expedition. During the summer, caddis and mayfly hatches are so prolific that it looks as though there is a mini blizzard over the river. This river is known for its excellent dry fly fishing. But it's also amazing when fished with emergers. or small bead-heads as a dropper behind a dry fly. The MO fishes fantastically in the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall with Baetis and Midges for dries and big, ugly streamers! That is when some very big fish are caught! The Missouri throws itself into the heated debate of "Row vs. Wade" because it is so perfectly suited to angle from both a drift boat (or other water craft) as well as wade fishing on foot. With an adult trout population (Rainbows and Browns over 10") between 4000-8000 fish per mile and an average size of 16"-18", it's not too hard to figure out why the Missouri ranks up there with many people's favorite places to fish!

Nearest Airport:

Helena, Great Falls

Hatches:

Midges

Best Time to Fish:

Mid-morning and evening

Best Stretch:

Dam to Craig, Mid to Prewett

Best Access:

Holter Dam, Wolf Creek Bridge, Craig, Stickney, Spite Hill, Mid-Canon, Mountain Palace, Prewett Creek, Pelican, with walk-in access between all those.