Guide to Fishing in Montana

Montana has been a hub for fishing and fly fishing activities in the United States, and countless people across the year organize and participate in fishing activities and events in Montana. Montana has been among one of the oldest fishing states in the US and it’s still counted as one of the top fishing states.

This guide covers important information needed by someone who is looking to explore Montana for fishing activities. We have discussed the best places, rivers, fish species, time, season, and license information. 

Best Rivers to Fish in Montana

Madison River

The Madison River is the prime choice trout fishery in North America with more than 3000 trout per mile. The best area to fish in the Madison River is near the Three Dollar Bridge. The upper Madison River offers continuous fishing throughout the year however, the Lower Madison River runs on and off but provides the best experience around June.

Madison River, Montana has about 120 miles of area with fishing and many other recreational opportunities. In Madison River, we can fishfor  rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, and arctic grayling.     

Yellowstone River

The Yellowstone River is famous for its trout fishing and amazing scenery. Yellowstone river offers amazing fly fishing opportunities as most fishing is done along the banks in this large and powerful river.

July through September is the best time for fishing in the Yellowstone River Montana. This river has plenty of rainbow trout, brown trout, native cutthroat trout, arctic grayling, mountain whitefish, and other native fish. 

Missouri River

The Missouri River offers a great trout fishing experience, with 5,500 trout per mile, having an average size of 16 inches. The river territory begins at Three Forks, about a 30-minute drive from Bozeman, and offers tremendous fly fishing opportunities.

You can have the best fly fishing experience between June and August, and you can mainly fish for bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass here. 

Gallatin River

The Gallatin River offers year-long fishing activities, although it gets much better when snow melts down in the month of June. 

This river offers 90 miles of fishing area with around 2500 to 3000 fish per mile, where you will find species like wild rainbow trout, brown trout, and mountain whitefish.

Big Hole River

The Big Hole River is considered a paradise for fly fishing enthusiasts. April to June is the best time for fishing here. Big Hole River is ideal for fishing rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout as well as the native grayling.

Flathead River

With the most consistent and dry fly fishing venue for seasoned anglers, the Flathead River offers a large fishing area in Northwest Montana with clean blue water. 

The best time for fishing starts in mid-September and lasts until January. Bull trout, cutthroat trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, and kokanee salmon are the top sport species in the Flathead River.

Blackfoot River

This river is among the biggest rivers in Montana, with huge fly fishing opportunities. April to October is considered the best fishing season here, while June to September is considered the prime fishing season.

Multiple species of trout, whitefish, pikeminnow, and suckers are found abundantly in this river.

Clark Fork River

Fall is considered the top fishing season for fly fishing in the Clark Fork River. This river has abundant rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, and mountain whitefish.

Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot River offers over 80 miles of fishing area with around 700 trout per mile. The months of March and April are considered the best for fishing in this river.  

Beaverhead River

This river is famous for large trout in Montana that can reach a length of up to 24 inches. The Beaverhead River mostly has rainbow and brown trout species in abundance. Early summer is the best fly fishing time for the Beaverhead River, and you can have the best experience in March, April, and May.   

Best Places for Fishing in Montana

Ennis

Ennis is among the best fishing areas in Montana that has multiple water streams, including several lakes and the Upper Madison River. Fishing in Ennis offers some of the most pristine water in the world and is a great place for shallow water fishing enthusiasts.   

Madison Valley

Madison Valley covers more than 120 miles and provides a quality fishing experience during June, although it stays active throughout spring, summer, and fall.

Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley offers year round fishing activities, although all fishing here follows a catch and release policy. Boat fishing is more popular in this area. Water streams in this area have stable water temperatures across the year which makes this place a hub of year round sport fishing.  

Craig

The Missouri River is the best fishing site in Craig, offering 35 miles of trout water with trout of between 16 to 20 inches in size.

Livingston

Livingstone has more than 100 miles of fishing water including rivers, lakes, and streams. You can fish for catfish, crappie, bass, and perch in the prime fishing season between June and October.

Glacier National Park

The park has over 700 lakes and a vast number of water streams that offer excellent fishing opportunities. Trout and mountain whitefish are the most abundant fish species in Glacier National Park.  

Beartooth Mountains

The Beartooth Mountains in Montana are famous for trout fishing. The Hellroaring Lakes are the most popular lakes, with more than 350 other lakes in this area.

Tobacco Root Mountains

The Tobacco Root Mountains have more than 20 lakes and contain species like cutthroat, brook, rainbow and many others. This region lies between the Jefferson and Madison rivers in southwest Montana.

West Glacier Area

The West Glacier Area offers amazing fishing opportunities from May to November, and early mornings and late evenings are the best times to fish here.

Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex in Montana is the third largest complex in the lower 48 states. This complex covers the south fork of The Flathead and White River and a lot of alpine lakes as well.

Best Fishing Season in Montana

Montana is among the top fishing states with differences in fishing type, time, season, and species. But overall, June through mid-September is considered the best season for fishing in Montana.

Best Fishing Time in Montana

Early mornings and late evenings are the best times in Montana for a fishing adventure to catch the maximum number of fish.

Fishing license in Montana 

Purchasing a Fishing License in Montana

You can purchase a fishing license in Montana online or by visiting the office in person. You can visit the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) website to apply for, buy, and print your fishing license. You can also visit the FWP office or an authorized license provider in Montana.

The residents of Montana need to provide their proof of residency; however, the non-residents don't need any proof, but have to pay a higher fee.

License Types & Costs

• Resident Licenses:

• Annual Fishing License: ~$31 (ages 12+)

• Senior (62+): Discounted annual license (~$10).

• Youth (12–17): ~$10.

• Non-Resident Licenses:

• Annual Fishing License: ~$107

• 2-Day License: ~$36

• 10-Day License: ~$56

Fish Species in Montana

Montana is a state with a large number of water bodies, year long fishing activities, and a variety of fishing species. Here are some top fishing species found in rivers, lakes, and streams in Montana.

Trout

Trout is the most abundant fish found in the water of Montana. You will find trout of different sizes and species here. The most common species of trout in Montana include brown trout, rainbow trout, bull trout, and cutthroat trout.

Mountain Whitefish

Mountain Whitefish is another very popular fish in the water bodies of Montana. The mountain whitefish in Montana usually measure between 10 to 16 inches and weigh around 5 pounds.

Arctic grayling

It is a North American freshwater fish in the salmon family, Salmonidae, most abundant in the Missouri River. This fish is up to 20 inches long and weighs around 3 pounds.

So these were some of the must have details to know about fishing in Montana. If you are looking to get started with fishing in Montana, pack your gear, follow safety precautions, and enjoy the catch!