The Missouri River should really be viewed as two separate fishing locations and experiences. The first, or upstream section from Toston Dam to Canyon Ferry Reservoir and the downstream section from Holter Dam downstream to the town of Cascade.

Upstream– 

There are two very distinct seasons on the Upper Missouri River. The first is summer, which is all about carp fishing. This section of the Missouri is prone to high water temps. during the summer season from July through the end of August, the water temperatures rise to between 70-75 degrees f. Although these temps. are lethal to trout they are very welcome to carp. Once water temps. start to drop as the air temps. start to fall the trout move out of Canyon Ferry Reservoir into the river to feed. This is the optimal time to pursue  some of the largest trout in the area in a river environment. For those up to the task this can be an optimal time to chase huge, lake run rainbow and brown trout on a dry fly.

This section of the Missouri is located just 60 minutes from Bozeman and is available as a day fishing option.

Downstream– 

This is the section of the Missouri that most people think of when you mention fishing the Missouri. The water in this section of the Missouri stays at a consistently optimal tempurture due to the influence of the two dams just upriver. With one of the largest concentrations of trout of any river in the state, it’s no wonder the river receives as much attention as it does. The optimal time to fish this part of the Missouri is from April-June and then again from September-October. In the months of July and August the river can be very crowded and the weeds can be an issue to proper fly presentation and fish fighting.

Nymphing is the standard method for pursuing trout in this section of the river, but there are often a variety of aquatic and terrestial insects out and about and this section of the river can provide very consistent dry fly fishing.