Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Montana (Complete Guide)
Montana offers some of the best fly fishing in the world. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in Montana can greatly impact your success.
The best times to fish in Montana are spring and fall for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, and lake trout. Paddlefish are best caught in the summer months.
In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in the state of Montana. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.
Best Times to Catch Fish in Montana
The best time to fish in Montana depends on the species that you are targeting. However, for most species, spring and fall offer the best conditions. Fly fishing is one of the most popular methods for fishing in the many streams and rivers of Montana.
For the central and eastern regions of Montana, fishing is open all year round in streams and rivers. However, for the western region, fishing is only open from the third Saturday in May to the last day in November.
Individual lakes and rivers have their own limitations to their open season and can be found on the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website. As the waters warm up in May, the fishing will begin to pick up. The summer will see better fishing as the sunny days will result in better sight fishing for those fly fishing.
However, it is recommended that fishing is limited during the summer as high fishing pressure in the heat can prove fatal to many fish such as trout.
In Montana, the cold will start setting in during the fall months of September and October. While you may not catch as many fish compared to the spring and summer months, the fish will be larger, higher-quality fish.
For trout, spring and fall are the best seasons. During the summer, these fish will experience more fishing pressure from other fishermen. In combination with the warmer water temperatures, the bite will slow and fish will be harder to find, as they will seek shade and shelter.
The most popular fishing destination for trout are the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. However, it is important to have a knowledge of the rules and regulations of these waters before fishing.
If you are fishing with a guide, they will be properly versed in this area and will ensure nothing illegal occurs. For instance, when fishing the Yellowstone River, cutthroat trout are catch-and-release only.
Besides these regulations for individual bodies of water, fishing is excellent from April until October for most species. Trout will favor the streams and rivers of Montana, while warm water fish such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as northern pike, will be found in the surrounding lakes.
Recommended Fishing Guides in Montana
These Montana-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Atlas Outfitting – Bozeman | Bozeman, MT |
| Fishtales Outfitting – Missoula, Bitterroot | Hamilton, MT |
| Atlas Outfitting – Missoula | Missoula, MT |
| River Knight Outf. – Madison River | Ennis, MT |
| River Knight Outfitters | Wolf Creek, MT |
| Fishtales Outfitting – Yellowstone River | Livingston, MT |
| Fishtales Outfitting – Clark Fork River | Porters Corner, MT |
| Fishtales Outfitting – Blackfoot River | Ovando, MT |
| Fishtales Outfitting – Ruby River | Sheridan, MT |
Booking Guides in Montana
Most fishing guides in Montana offer fly fishing tours of the many streams and rivers. The target species for these trips are brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout. The most popular locations for fishing charters are just northeast of Yellowstone National Park, especially along the Missouri River.
Best Season to Go
The best season to book a charter in Montana is dependent on the fishing experience you would like. Trout are sought after from the months of April to October.
During the summer months, tourism is the greatest and therefore will be the busiest for fishing charters. If you would like a quiet trip while avoiding the tourist crowd, early spring, and fall are the best seasons. However, these come with a caveat.
The spring and fall can see some cold weather, and fishing is reserved for the most dedicated fishermen. While the quantity of fish that you catch will be lower in the spring and fall, the quality will most likely be greater. In the fall, trout will be feeding for the upcoming winter and may be more aggressive.
Morning vs. Afternoon
Most fishing trips in Montana are scheduled for 8 hours, with some 12-hour trips from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. As a result, the time of day that you fish will not be as important as if you were planning a solo fishing trip.
However, early morning is the preferred time for most stream trout, as the afternoon’s heat combined with the energy expended during a fight can harm the fish. For the fishermen, the early mornings also eliminate the grueling high-temperature afternoons of the summer.
Length of the Trip
Ultimately, the most important factor when considering how long to book a trip comes down to your desire and aptitude to fish. For more family-friendly trips, a half-day charter is plenty to experience fly fishing in Montana.
More experienced fishermen may want to book a full-day charter, as the longer trips will increase your chances of catching trout. You can spend an extra 4 hours covering more water in different locations.
Top 10 Fishing Spots in Montana
1. Missouri River
Often regarded as the best fly fishing location in Montana, the Missouri River spans the width of the state. Starting in Bozeman and running to the northeast corner of the state, the 700 miles of the river provide many brown trout and rainbow trout to catch.
The river is the spawning ground for many species of flies, creating an abundance of food for the predatory trout. The Missouri River is known for its year-round fishing, as trout can even be caught in the dead of winter.
2. Yellowstone River
Connected to the Missouri River, the Yellowstone River runs from Yellowstone National Park to the North Dakota-Montana border. Similar to the Missouri River, the Yellowstone River is home to many different species of trout including brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.
However, these species are commonly found northeast of the Billings-Lockwood area. Most fishing charters in Montana take place along the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers.
3. Blackfoot River
The Blackfoot River, located just outside of Missoula, is known for its native brown trout and rainbow trout. The fishing pressure here is significantly less than most of the other rivers in Montana.
This river can only be fished from the third Saturday in May to the 30th of November, as it falls within the Western Region. The fishing is excellent during this time but to avoid the busy crowds, it is best to go in May or during the fall months.
4. Madison River
Branching off from the Missouri River, the Madison River is located about 20 miles west of Bozeman. The Madison is known for its abundance and variety of trout, including rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout.
The spring and fall are ideal times for trout fishing in these waters. During the summer, the water temperatures are too high to fish for trout without injuring them. It is important to check local regulations for boating restrictions, as well as lure and bait restrictions, specifically in the Yellowstone National Park area.
5. Bighorn River
Bighorn River runs out of the Yellowstone River, near the town of Bighorn, down to central Wyoming. Similar to most other waterways in Montana, the Bighorn is full of brown and rainbow trout.
However, this river is full of other fish species including walleye, perch, and crappie. Spring and fall are the go-to seasons for fishing along the Bighorn, although August and September are the best months.
6. Canyon Ferry Lake
Fed from the Missouri River just east of Helena, Canyon Ferry Lake is one of the best lakes in Montana for rainbow trout. Each year, it is stocked with tens of thousands of rainbows.
The size of the lake allows for these trout to grow rather large resulting in some great fishing. Walleye, smallmouth bass, and perch are also found here and can be caught year-round.
7. Flathead Lake
Fifty miles north of Missoula is Flathead lake, known for its lake trout and northern pike. It is one of the few locations in Montana where fly fishing is not popular. For this lake, jigging is the most common fishing method to target lake trout in the cold depths of the lake.
It is important to check the current regulations regarding daily limits and permit requirements, as a Flathead Indian Reservation Tribal Permit is required in the southern region of the lake.
8. Georgetown Lake
Getting back to fly fishing, Georgetown Lake offers some great rainbow trout fishing. Located northwest of Butte, fishing is great all year-round as the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. However, always refer to the updated regulations, as the open season varies based on the area of the lake.
Most of the lake is open from the third Saturday in May to March 31, although the best fishing is found during March, December, and January.
9. Hebgen Lake
For summer anglers, Hebgen Lake is the place to be. Stemming from the Madison River, this fly fishing haven is home to many rainbow trout and brown trout during the hot summer months.
Following the spring hatch of multiple species of flies, hungry trout will surface and begin actively feeding. Hebgen Lake will provide you with both a challenge and a reward.
10. Seeley Lake
Seeley Lake is a relatively small lake located 20 miles northeast of Missoula. Regarded as one of the best bass fishing lakes in Montana, it is also home to some large, stocked rainbow trout. Although it is located in the Western Region according to the fishing regulations, bass fishing is open year-round with no daily limit.
The best time to fish for bass is during the morning and afternoon of the spring and fall, although they can be caught in deeper waters during the summer.
Storms & Montana Fishing
Storms are notorious for affecting fishing. While the conditions may not be great for the fishermen, the bite often picks up. The change in pressure due to an incoming storm causes baitfish to struggle. This struggle is capitalized on by their predators.
Fish will become more active. This change in weather and increase in rainfall will result in baitfish moving to the shallows, as well.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in California, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Oregon, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Alaska, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Wyoming, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Colorado, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Utah, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Idaho, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Michigan, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Nebraska, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Yellowstone, check out this guide.
