Where Is Best Fly Fishing Montana?

Montana might just be the best state for fly fishing in the United States. With its pristine rivers, streams and lakes, Montana offers a variety of waters to explore and fish. From the headwaters of the Madison River to the wild and scenic Blackfoot River, there is a perfect spot for anglers of all skill levels.

The Madison River in Montana is a prime location for fly fishing, renowned for its abundance of trout and excellent dry-fly fishing opportunities. This river is home to a variety of trout species, as well as whitefish, grayling, and mountain whitefish. It is a beginner-friendly river with many accessible shoreline spots.

Another highly recommended destination for fly fishing in Montana is the Bighorn River. Known as one of the top tailwater fisheries in the world, this river boasts an abundant supply of aquatic insects, making it a prime spot for dry-fly fishing. The Bighorn is also home to brown and rainbow trout, as well as whitefish and grayling, which can be caught using nymphs or streamers in various sections of the river.

For an unforgettable fly fishing experience, head to the Missouri River in central Montana. This is one of the largest rivers in North America, offering stunning scenery with steep canyons, winding rapids, and towering bluffs along its banks. The Missouri is home to rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, as well as mountain whitefish, all of which can be caught using a variety of fly fishing techniques along its banks or from boats on larger pools.

The Blackfoot River is widely regarded as one of Americaโ€™s finest wild trout streams and boasts some truly spectacular dry-fly fishing opportunities along its banks. Anglers will find populations of brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and bull trout swimming throughout this iconic river located near Missoula.

Where Is Best Fly Fishing Montana?

With so many incredible places to choose from, it’s difficult to pick just one spot as being “the best” when it comes to fly fishing in Montana. However, if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience with some truly exceptional dry-fly opportunities then you can’t go wrong with any one of these amazing rivers: Madison River, Bighorn River, Missouri River or Blackfoot River.

Photo of author

Michael Allen