Fishing Season: Spring

Missouri River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Temperature 66°

Temp:

66°

Water Temp:

41

CrossCurrents Fly Shop's Tip of the Week

Find the slower water, shallow buckets, and drop offs. The fish are still in their winter water waiting for water temps warm up. The slow water offers an easy collection point for midges and sowbugs. You will find rising fish in the slow pools.

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 4/21/24

The weather has cooled off a bit with highs going to be around the 50s-60s. The beats hatch is right around the corner so be on the lookout for rising water temps.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/21/24

Indicator nymphing is going to be the most productive technique. 5-6 feet to the first fly ( sowbug, pill popper, fish finder) to a zebra midge will suffice. Streamer fishing a smaller fly with slow strips and/or a swing will get the job done. Be sure to let your fly dangle at the end of your presentation.

Local Species Available Spring

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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):
Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear Tan #16
Vernille San Juan Worm red #12
Hot Head Euro Pheasant Tail Olive #18
TH Zebra Midge Black #18-#20
Pill Popper N/A #14-#18
Caviar Scud N/A #14-#18
Lightning Bug Silver, Pink #18-#22
Tunghead Hot Spot Pheasant Tail Jig N/A #16-#18
Tailwater Sowbug N/A #12-#16
Lil' Kim N/A #6

Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear

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Item #0472

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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 6,000 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,Baetis

Best Time to Fish:

10:30am-5pm

Best Stretch:

Dam-Craig, WC to Craig, Craig to Mid Canon, Craig to Spite Hill

Best Access:

Holter Dam, Wolf Creek Bridge, Craig, Bull Pasture