The huge Missouri River is the longest river in the USA and it drains one sixth of the USA. It starts at the junction of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers in Three Forks, Montana and it empties into the Mississippi River 2,341 miles away. There are four dams along its path and they serve to recharge the Missouri with cold water creating one of the finest trout fisheries in America. Without them, the Missouri would get too warm from the sun and also the sediment would be harmful to trout reproduction.
The spring runoffs from several mountain ranges dramatically changes the water flow, however for the most part, the flow is at a rather mild pace. The portion of the Missouri that attract the trout anglers is the first 100 miles starting at the confluence of the three rivers in Three Forks, Montana.
The waters from Three Forks to Trident offers some trout fishing but the fishing improves greatly below the Toston Dam. In the spring of the year the rainbows run upstream from Canyon Ferry Lake and likewise in the fall the browns run upstream offering some excellent opportunities. The section between Canyon Ferry Lake and Hauser Dam is known for big rainbows as well as big browns.
After Hauser Dam, the Missouri flows thru a canyon and then into Holter Lake. The tailwater below the Holter Dam near Craig, Montana is the most popular portion of the river and it probably offers the best trout fishing opportunities. There are over thirty miles of good trout fishing in this section and it contains a good population of wild browns and wild rainbows that average about 16 inches with many reaching 20 inches.
The Missouri at this point can be waded, fished from the bank or by using water craft such as drift boats. It takes on the look of a spring creek with some islands popping up as well as several large boulders and it is full of aquatic plants creating an excellent habitat for the huge trout. These trout are very selective and can not be fooled easily, but they will succumb to dry flies carefully presented.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Missouri River:
The claim is that the Missouri contains over 4,000 wild trout per mile and I have no reason to doubt that. However, do not think that it easy like “fish in a barrel” as it most certainly is not. Fly fishing the Missouri River tailwaters is very different from fly fishing the average trout stream because the Missouri is so huge, so clear, and so slow moving with few riffles and runs.
The key to fishing the Missouri them becomes the presentation. You must conceal your presence, make your first cast accurate, and maintain a drag free drift. When the trout are hitting the surface, and if you can match their menu, you can become successful. Due to its great width, you can stand 20 feet out from the bank and see trout rising still much further in the stream. As you work to get within a favorable casting distance, you can look back to see trout rising where you once stood, and that can be frustrating.
Spring:
Spring time can be good once the runoff is complete. Blue Winged Olives will be hatching starting in April, followed by the Little Black Caddis. Also, imitations of the scuds, minnows, sculpins and crawfish will be effective.
Summer:
The cool water releases from the four dams manage to keep the fishing in great shape through the long summer months. The pale Morning Duns, followed by the Tricos is July will provide action. Of course the Drakes and the Spotted Sedges will also be a factor.
Fall:
Winter:
The weather is cold most winter days in Montana but the for the hardy, the trout fishing remains good again due to the outflows from the dams.
Access remains good but with 100 miles of fishable water, it is too difficult to attempt to detail it here. Simply see the Google Map.