Big Sky Country is brimming with wonderful spots for fishing. The clear, cold water in the lakes and rivers is a perfect habitat for trout and other freshwater fish. The list of fishing holes is as long as the Missouri River, but these are some of the best places to fish in Montana, especially perfect for casting a line. They’re popular, easy to find, and beautiful. Grab your rod and reel and see if you can catch a record-breaking fish at one of these fishing spots.

1. Smith River
Smith River, Montana, USA
Bitterroot/Flickr
The Smith River is one of the best places to fish in Montana… if you’re lucky enough to get there. Unlike other Montana rivers, anyone who wants to fish the Smith River needs a permit. Each February a drawing for permits is held. If you’re a lucky lottery winner, you’ll be catching brown and rainbow trout that average 14-16 inches long.

Let's pack up our gear and go fishing on the Smith River in Montana after watching this video from Jake Rozier showing a few good Montana fishing spots:
2. Yellowstone River
Yellowstone County, MT, USA
Cocoabiscuit/Flickr
You could fish for decades and still not experience the full potential of Yellowstone. The longest undammed river in the country is gorgeous, and the fly fishing is some of the best fishing in Montana.
3. Two Medicine Lakes
Two Medicine Lake, Montana 59434, USA
Antony Caldaroni/Flickr
Two Medicine Lakes at Glacier National Park holds a nice variety of brook trout and rainbow trout. It’s open for fishing from November 15 to September 15, so you can try for your catch of the day almost anytime.
4. Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald, Montana 59936, USA
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
One of the most popular lakes in Glacier National Park also happens to be one of the best fishing spots in Montana. In the spring and early summer, you’ll most likely catch lake trout using spinners and streamers. Though they’re a less common catch, you could also end up with a cutthroat.
5. Gallatin River
Gallatin River, Montana, USA
Greg Gjerdingen/Flickr
There’s an abundance of trout in this river, and the summer dry fly fishing is excellent. The Gallatin is great for beginners, especially from June through August.
6. Hyalite Reservoir
Hyalite Reservoir, Montana, USA
Keith Ewing/Flickr
This is the place to go to try your hand at catching wild, native fish. You’ll find the Hyalite Reservoir about 19 miles south of Bozeman. But don’t get too attached to the fish you hook—it’s catch and release only.

Learn a few tips for catching cutthroat trout on the Hyalite Reservoir in this video from Bait & Catch Montana:

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7. Nelson Reservoir
Nelson Reservoir, Montana 59261, USA
Tim Schleicher/Flickr
Fort Peck is one of the most popular fishing spots in Eastern Montana, but there are some other great waters worth exploring. The Nelson Reservoir, which is close to Malta, is full of perch and walleye as well as some lesser-known species.
8. Duck Lake
USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr
If you love rainbow trout, you’ll love Duck Lake. Located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation east of Glacier National Park, this spot draws anglers from across the country and from Canada.
9. Madison River
Madison River, Montana, USA
Bruce Tuten/Flickr
The Madison River has some of the best fly fishing in Montana, especially the stretch that runs from Quake Lake to Ennis. This area is called the "50-mile riffle," and it’s nice and wide and shallow.
10. Bitterroot River
Bitterroot River, Montana, USA
Micah Sheldon/Flickr
Not only is the Bitterroot River beautiful, but it’s one of America’s best trout streams.
11. Ashley Lake
Ashley Lake, Montana, USA
Jim Handcock/Flickr
In the 1980s, Ashley Lake yielded a state and world-record hybrid rainbow-cutthroat trout. The Kalispell area lake remains a great place for fishing. Think you can break the record?
12. Bighorn River
Bighorn River, Montana, USA
USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation/Flickr
The Bighorn River holds an incredible 6,000 fish per mile, many of which are 20 inches or longer. The fishing is good all year long here, though the summer months are the best and the most popular.

Enjoy even more Montana fishing in this video from Fishing Montana as they head out on the Bighorn River to see what is biting:

Will you be doing any fishing this year? Where are your favorite Montana fishing spots? Share a few of the best places to fish in Montana that you have enjoyed.

Many of Montana’s State Parks are great fishing spots, too! Especially when you spend a weekend at this fantastic Madison River Fishing Cabin just outside of Yellowstone National Park.

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More to Explore

More of the best fishing in Montata

Jackie Ann | July 18, 2022

Which state parks should I visit in Montana?

Some of the state parks in Montana that you should visit include:

 

Did you know there are 55 state parks in Montana? While Glacier National Park should certainly be on everyone’s bucket list, there’s something to be said for the lesser-known state parks in Montana, like Makoshika State Park or Clark’s Lookout State Park, where you can stand in the same spot William Clark stood in 1805.

What are the most beautiful lakes in Montana?

Some of the most beautiful lakes in Montana include:

 

We love spending a day on the lake, and there sure are some beautiful lakes in Montana that you’ll love. Not only is Hebgen Lake one of the best fishing lakes in Montana, but it’s also an awesome spot to swim on a hot summer day. The history of Hebgen Lake is pretty fascinating, too. If crystal blue waters and incredible scenery sounds appealing, then head over to Flathead Lake for a day of fun in the sun. Known as one of the clearest lakes in Montana, it’s one of the most popular lakes in Montana during the warmer months.

Are there any good swimming holes in Montana?

Some of the best swimming holes in Montana include:

 

We’ve covered the best fishing spots in Montana, but the many lakes, streams, and rivers that run through Montana have endless recreational opportunities, including swimming. Yellowstone River is certainly a great spot to do a little fishing in Montana, but if you head over to the Duck Creek Bridge just southwest of Billings, you’ll find a lovely little swimming hole to enjoy. While most Montana waters can be a bit on the cold side, Gigantic Warm Springs is an all-natural spring with a temperature that stays around 68 degrees year-round, making it one of the best swimming holes in Montana.

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