Fishing Season: Summer

Missouri River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

63

CrossCurrents Fly Shop's Tip of the Week

Be prepared to share the river right now. The Missouri is in full swing, both with people and how good the fishing is. Consider getting up early or a late start to try and miss the guide traffic. A late start to look for rising fish is very productive right now. Staying versatile with your techniques, ranging from nymphing to dries. Mobility while wade fishing is crucial this time of year to find unpressured waters. Streamer season is officially done on the MO with the weeds taking a firm grasp on the river.

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 7/10/26

We have a very good weather forecast for the next week with clear skies, however be on the lookout for high mid to late day temperatures. The Tricos are HERE in greater numbers then we have ever seen before, particularly the late morning spinner fall. With Tricos here the weeds are also here.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/10/26

The two suggested techniques right now would be nymphing Trico and Caddis patterns or targeting rising fishing starting in the early afternoon using a variety of different imitations, PMDs are done. There is still plenty of caddis out however more and more spotty and sporadic with the hatches ferocity. Smaller patterns are preferred, as the fish are wising up and are more intimidated by bigger bugs. If you are nymphing, I would recommend starting the morning deeper (5-6 ft) using a worm, followed by a sowbug or a scud. Fishing classic small zebra midges below chubbies can be very effective right now and some fish have even been taking the large dries as well. If that isn't working or when the bugs start to pop, try short leashing the flats and the banks. Further elaborating on short leashing-zirdles are proving an effective top fly in a tandem rig, followed by a Blowtorch or Duracell style caddis imitation. Have two small nymphs, either a Trico or a caddis, and target shallow water (1-3 ft)

Local Species Available Summer

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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):
Tunghead Zug Bug N/A #16
Rusty Spinner Rusty #18
CDC Caddis Brown #18
Tunghead Hot Spot Pheasant Tail Jig N/A #16
Zirdle tan #6-12
Zebra Midge Black #18-22
Lightning Bug N/A #18
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail Red #8
Cluster Midge Black #18-22
Cornfed Caddis Grey #16-20

Tunghead Zug Bug

Keep this fly in your assortment of peacock caddis for still water fishing.

2.99

Item #142J

Buy Now

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:

Tricos, Caddis.

Best Time to Fish:

Mid-morning and evening

Best Stretch:

Stickney Creek to Prewett Creek

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.