The Missouri River is a true classic and one of Montana's best fly fishing rivers. It begins at Three Forks, about 30 minutes from Bozeman where Montana Angler is based. From its formation it flows north toward Great Falls. . The Missouri river produces great hatches, premier dry fly fishing, and large trout. With over 7000 trout per mile in the tailwater section near Craig it is one of the most productive wild trout fisheries in the Northern Rockies.
Townsend Stretch of the Missouri River
From the origins of the Missouri at Three Forks to Canyon Ferry Lake, The Missouri becomes a trophy trout fishery in the fall when monster browns and even some rainbows run out of the lake below. This is one of the best places to have a shot at 23-30" trout during October. In the summer the Townsend stretch produces some of the world's best fly fishing for carp. Don't knock it unless you have tried it! We site fish for the carp on large river flats, it is almost exactly like bonefishing the flats (except the carp average 10-15lbs!).
Missouri River Between the Lakes
In April, the Missouri between Hauser Lake and Canyon Ferry fills up with large spawning rainbows. A great place to hook a monster in the spring. Several of our Montana fishing guides make regular trips to this stretch to hook some monster trout that frequently approach or exceed 30"!
Missouri RIver Below Holter Dam
This is the most famous part of the Missouri. The river below Holter dam is a large tailwater with cold and abundant hatches. This is a great place to fish in early June when other rivers are high from runnoff.