Montana is home to some of the best trout fishing destinations in the country. While trout are king here in most bodies of water, there are also some good fishing opportunities for northern pike, bass, salmon, panfish and more. Take a look below to learn more about our featured fishing destinations in Montana.
Bigfork, MT
Bigfork, Montana is located at an altitude of 2,900 feet in the mountains of northwest Montana. The town is located on the shores of Flathead Lake where the Swan River flows into the lake. Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi and the lake draws visitors that enjoy fishing, boating and other forms of water recreation. Bigfork is one of the most popular places to visit in Montana. You will find plenty of accommodations here as well as fishing guides.
Big Sky, MT
Big Sky, Montana is known mostly for the skiing. The Big Sky Resort is a popular tourist destination among skiers. The town of Big Sky is located in southern Montana and there are plenty of places to stay as well as fishing guides and outfitters. The area waters are loaded with trout, which makes Big Sky a great vacation destination for fly fishermen as well as skiers.
Billings, MT
Billings is the largest city in Montana. It is located in the south central part of the state and it has been growing rapidly. This city is popular among tourists because it offers many conveniences with nice hotels, restaurants and shopping, but it is also close to Yellowstone National Park. This area provides a nice balance for people looking to get away from the daily grind without leaving all of their conveniences behind.
Bitterroot Valley, MT
The Bitterroot Valley provides some awesome scenery, enough accommodations and area services so you can have an excellent vacation with some awesome fishing opportunities. With access to the Bitterroot River, Missouri River, Big Hole River and Rock Creek, anglers have lots of options to fish for a variety of trout in many different waters.
Bozeman, MT
Bozeman is a decent-sized city located in southwestern Montana. This area is popular among tourists. There are plenty of hotels, vacation rentals and other types of lodging. The area rivers are home to some excellent fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. Whether you are looking for action or the chance at a big fish, there is a place for you in this area.
Butte, MT
Butte is a decent-sized town located in the southwesten part of Montana. Butte was one of the biggest copper towns in the west and it was home to hundreds of saloons and a famous red-light district.
The area rivers are home to brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout and even some grayling. The Big Hole River gets a lot of attention here, but you also have the Madison River, Jefferson River and Upper Clark Fork River close by with some awesome fishing for a variety of trout.
Helena, MT
Helena is the capital of Montana and the county seat for Lewis and Clark County. This city is very unique in that it has a nice blend of the past and the present. You will be able to find plenty of hotels and other accommodations in Helena. This city is surrounded by pristine forests and there are plenty of places to experience the great outdoors. Boating and fishing are popular on Holter Lake, Hauser Lake, Canyon Ferry Lake and Spring Meadow Lake. There are also numerous trout streams in the area.
Fort Peck Lake
Fort Peck Lake is the largest lake in Montana measuring 134 miles long and it has 1520 miles of shoreline with a maximum depth of 220 feet. This lake is known for its excellent walleye fishery, however, there are so many species of fish that you can catch here. Salmon, lake trout, northern pike and smallmouth bass are all here in good enough numbers to fish for them and to expect to be able to catch some fish. Crappie and catfish are here too.
Lewistown, Montana
Lewistown, Montana is a small town that is located in the middle of Montana. It is known for its western lifestyle with lots of outdoor recreation. The Missouri River and Judith Rivers give anglers access to excellent trout fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout. Big Spring Creek originates just 7 miles southeast of Lewistown and it runs another 26 miles to where it meets the Judith River. There are also plenty of ponds and small lakes that are managed by the state within a short drive from town.
Livingston, MT
Livingston, Montana is a great vacation destination for those who enjoy being outdoors. The surrounding mountain ranges provide some beautiful scenery and the Yellowstone River offers some outstanding fly fishing opportunities for trout. The town of Livingston has plenty of hotels, motels and other types of lodging to go along with some great shops and restaurants. The Yellowstone National Park is nearby which gives you some options for what you can do on a vacation to Livingston, Montana.
Missoula, MT
Missoula is a good-sized city and one of the largest in all of Montana. Missoula is home to the University of Montana. This area is a popular tourist destination, especially among fly fishermen. Missoula is located in a deep valley near the Clark Fork River, the Bitterroot River and the Blackfoot River, which gives fly fishermen a lot of options during their trip to this area. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and shopping to go along with numerous fishing guides and outfitters to help you catch that fish of a lifetime.
Whitefish, MT
Whitefish, Montana is a very popular vacation destination. It is probably known more as a winter vacation destination because of the skiing, but there is so much to do here during the summers as well. The town is tucked against Big Mountain and the peaks of Glacier National Park. There are plenty of accommodations from hotels, motels, resorts and even vacation home rentals. You will also find plenty of shops and restaurants also.
