FishKillFlea Montana is the last best place for trout fishing — blue-ribbon rivers holding 4,000+ trout per mile, the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48, Glacier National Park backcountry, and Flathead Lake (largest natural freshwater west of the Mississippi). Whether you hold a fishing license in MT or out of state fishing license Montana, Big Sky Country delivers world-class fly fishing.
Blue-Ribbon Trout Rivers
| River | Region | Species | Trout/Mile | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri River (Craig) | Central MT | Brown, rainbow | 4,000+ | Top dry fly river — tailwater from Holter Dam |
| Bighorn River | SE Montana | Brown, rainbow | 5,000+ | Highest trout density in MT below Yellowtail Dam |
| Yellowstone River | Livingston–Billings | Cutthroat, brown, rainbow | 2,000+ | Longest free-flowing river in lower 48 |
| Madison River | Ennis area | Brown, rainbow | 3,000+ | Famous "50 mile riffle" — salmonfly hatch! |
| Bitterroot River | Missoula area | Cutthroat, rainbow, brown | 1,500+ | Westslope cutthroat native habitat |
Major Lakes
| Lake | Size | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Lake | 191 sq mi | Lake trout, bull trout, perch | Largest natural freshwater lake west of Mississippi |
| Fort Peck Reservoir | 245,000 acres | Walleye, pike, smallmouth, paddlefish | Missouri River impoundment — trophy walleye |
| Canyon Ferry Reservoir | 35,000 acres | Rainbow, walleye, perch | Near Helena — popular family lake |
Glacier & Backcountry
- Glacier National Park: Native westslope cutthroat and bull trout in alpine lakes. No state license needed in the park — just NPS regulations
- Bob Marshall Wilderness: Pack-in fly fishing for native cutthroat — remote Montana at its finest
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Rainbow spawners, early dry fly | Missouri, Bighorn, Yellowstone | March brown hatches; high water April/May |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Salmonfly hatch! Dry fly paradise | Madison, Rock Creek, Yellowstone | June salmonfly = best time! Dawn/dusk |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Brown spawners, streamer fishing | Missouri, Bitterroot, Bighorn | October streamer fishing — trophy browns |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Midges, ice fishing walleye | Missouri tailwater, Fort Peck | Missouri fishes year-round below dams |
Fishing in Neighboring States
Planning a northern Rockies trip? Idaho for Silver Creek & Henry's Fork, Wyoming for Yellowstone cutthroat & Snake River, North Dakota for Lake Sakakawea walleye, or South Dakota for Missouri River below Oahe.
A 1-day Montana non-resident fishing license is $31.50 — worth every penny on the Missouri! See full costs or buy your license.