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In Montana, great fishing is a given. From legendary trout streams to spectacular walleye reservoirs, Montana is truely an angler's dream. Whether casting a dry fly to a wild trout, trolling a deep-running plug for some of the West's largest walleye, or simply drifting a baited hook through the old fishing hole, Montana has it all.
Famous for superb trout fishing, Montana's pure, cold water supports tremendous populations of rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat trout. Blue-ribbon rivers such as the Madison, Yellowstone, Big Hole and Bighorn are known to trout anglers throughout the world. Or fish the Beaverhead, Missouri, Jefferson, Rock Creek, Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Flathead and Kootenai Rivers, and the Nelson and Armstrong spring creeks.
Numerous reservoirs and natural lakes also provide excellent trout fisheries. Try Canyon Ferry, Clark Canyon, Hebgen or Flathead Lakes or the international Lake Koocanusa, where fish swim between British Columbia and Montana. Along with trout, many lakes contain kokanee salmon, yellow perch, largemouth bass and northern pike. For adventuresome anglers, Montana's breathtaking mountains harbor countless high-country lakes accessible by foot or horseback.
On Montana's central and eastern plains, trout are replaced by warmwater species such as sauger, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and even paddlefish, a prehistoric-looking fish that still spawns in the lower Yellowstone and Missouri rivers. Two huge reservoirs, Fort Peck Lake and Bighorn Lake, grow tremendous walleye, along with several other species.
Get your fishing gear and head for the water. It is always great fishing in
Montana.
In Montana, fishing methods vary with the season, the type of water, and the angler's personal preference. Fly, spin, and bait fishing are all popular techniques, although the use of bait is restricted on some streams. In general, most fly fishers use five-, six-, or seven-weight rods that are 8 1/2- or nine-feet long, while spin and bait fishers favor medium-action rods with six- to 10-pound test line. Ultralight spinning gear is also popular.
Wading is the most common technique along streams and rivers. Hip boots are handy on small streams, but chest waders are needed on the large rivers. Felt-soled wading shoes or boots improve traction on slippery stream bottoms.
Float fishing is increasingly popular on the largest rivers, but some rivers can be dangerous in high water. inexperienced floaters always should inquire locally about river conditions and possible hazards. the best floating craft are McKenzie-style drift boats or high-quality inflatable rafts with rowing frames.
Motorboats are allowed on most lakes and on some larger rivers; smaller lakes and rivers may have restrictions on motorized water craft. Motorboat operators should always be alert for fast-moving storms and strong winds, especially on large reservoirs such as Fort Peck. All motorboats must have a valid license from Montana or another state or country.
Children under 12 must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while boating or rafting; adults are encouraged to wear
PFDs.
In Montana, you can fish year-round, but there are seasonal regulations and water conditions that affect fishing. In general, lakes and larger rivers are open to fishing all year, while smaller tributaries are closed in the winter. Even though spring run-off makes many freestone rivers high and muddy from May until late June, anglers still enjoy good fishing on tailwater fisheries, spring creeks, and some smaller streams. Fly fishers will find most waters in prime condition from late June through October, although March and April can be good before run-off. Winter comes early and stays long in the high country; alpine lake fishing is confined to the summer months. Winter freezes the lakes in December and doesn't let go until March and April. Ice fishing is a popular winter
sport.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks maintains more than 300 public fishing access sites throughout the state. Most simply provide parking and boat-launching areas, but some are equipped with toilets and camping sites. All sites are marked by the special hook-and-fish road
sign.
For more information you can visit
The
Traveller's Rest Cabins and RV Park
is where
a week becomes years of memories!
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