Fishing Season: late Spring/early Summer

Missouri River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

57

CrossCurrents Fly Shop's Tip of the Week

The river levels have dropped significantly to about 3600 cfs. Dry fly fishing has been outstanding, with a lot of PMDs and Caddis coming off, although the fish are starting to get pickier, keying in on the smaller bugs (size 18-16). Tricos are now starting to hatch and it will continue to get better in the coming weeks.

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 6/28/25

The temps this week will begin in the upper 70s and low 80s, but it is going to get hot mid week, with temps in the 90s. Be prepared for thunderstorms.

Techniques & Tips as of 6/28/25

You can certainly catch fish nymphing 5' to 7' deep with sow bugs and pheasant tail type nymphs, but it is hard to pass up the opportunity to catch rising fish on dry flies and emergers!

Local Species Available late Spring/early Summer

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    and White Trout

CrossCurrents Fly Shop's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Caddis Pupa Red, purple, Pink #14, #16
Rusty Spinner N/A #18
Spotlight Caddis Emerger N/A #14 -#18
Perfect Wing Spinner N/A #20-#24
Tailwater Sowbug N/A #14 - #16
Warrior Perdigon N/A #16 - #18
Adams Parachute Dry Fly N/A #16
Depth Charge Czech-Mate Nymph N/A #16 - #20
Sparkle Minnow Pearl, Sculpin #4 - #6
Lil' Kim N/A #4 - #8

Bead Head Caddis Pupa

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Item #0416

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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:

PMDs, Emergers, Caddis, Tricos

Best Time to Fish:

early AM through early PM

Best Stretch:

Wolf Creek to Stickney, Mid to Prewett

Best Access:

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