Fishing Season: Winter

Missouri River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

35

CrossCurrents Fly Shop's Tip of the Week

If you brave our cold front this week, try wearing 9 mil Nitrile Gloves (we sell them at both our shops) and put gel fly floatant on your rod guides to help reduce ice build up.

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

5-Day Outlook as of 1/8/25

We have daytime highs hovering in the 20's and sometimes low 30's. There's a good amount of snow on the ground -including on the boat ramps so be prepared.

Techniques & Tips as of 1/8/25

Swinging small-ish streamers with a Trout Spey Rod! The water temps are in the low to mid 30's. You can also do well dead drifting a pair of nymphs under an indicator. Try a Sowbug and Midge and get down to the bottom.

Local Species Available Winter

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    and Whitefish

CrossCurrents Fly Shop's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Griffith's Gnat N/A #18 - #20
I Can See It Midge Fly N/A #18 - #20
RS2 N/A #18 - #22
Vernille San Juan Worm red #10
Firebead Sowbug N/A #14 - #16
Warrior Perdigon N/A #16 - #18
Lightning Bug Gold, Silver #16 - #18
Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail N/A #18
Sparkle Minnow Pearl, Sculpin #4 - #6
Lil' Kim N/A #4 - #8

Griffith's Gnat

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Item #0922

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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") over 7,000 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:

late AM through early PM

Best Stretch:

Dam to Craig

Best Access:

Holter, Wolf Creek Bridge, Craig, Stickney, Mid-Canon and walk-in between all those.