Montana Fly Fishing Fish Species
Montana is a large and diverse state with myriad water types, including natural lakes and freestone rivers. Reservoirs were created throughout the 1900s for irrigation storage and hydroelectric generation. The waters of Montana support a wide array of both native and non-native fish species.
Trout are the primary game fish species for anglers fly fishing in Montana. Rainbow and Brown Trout were introduced throughout Montana rivers and are widely dispersed today. Brook Trout are common in small, mountain streams and alpine lakes, rarely encountered in the larger rivers.
Mountain Whitefish and Cutthroat Trout are native species and continue to thrive in Montana. A small population of fluvial Arctic Grayling still exists in the upper Big Hole River. Rainbow Trout are native to a small portion of northwest Montana and have adapted well to the rivers across the state.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has a comprehensive online guide to help anglers fishing in Montana to better understand the distribution of the varied fish species found in the state.
Yellowstone Cutthroat
The Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout is native to the Yellowstone River drainage of southwest and south-central Montana.
Westslope Cutthroat
A native Montana fish, their historical range is west of the continental divide and the upper Missouri River drainage.
Rainbow Trout
Native to the Upper Kootenai River drainage, Rainbow Trout were introduced to waters throughout MT starting in 1889.
Brown Trout
Native to Europe and western Asia, Brown Trout were first introduced to Montana in 1889 in the Madison River.
Mountain Whitefish
Native to Montana, this game fish species thrives in cold water streams throughout the mountainous regions of the state.
Arctic Grayling
Native to a small section of western Montana, the last native population of fluvial Grayling in the state are found in the upper Big Hole River.
Smallmouth Bass
A non-native game fish that is occasionally encountered while fly fishing in Montana on the lower Yellowstone River near Big Timber.
Common Carp
These hard-fighting non-native fish are common in the headwaters of the Missouri River and the lower Yellowstone River
Brook Trout
Brook Trout are a non-native game fish that thrives in small, mountain streams and alpine lakes throughout Montana.
Montana Fishing Reports
Gallatin River
Last Updated: 11/07/2024
Gallatin River fly fishing has been slower the last several days thanks to a much-needed cold front. Snow has been falling in the mountains, and the nights have been cold. This...
See Full Report
Upper Madison
Last Updated: 11/07/2024
Nymph fishing on the upper Madison River has been excellent in the channels section downstream of Ennis. This time of year, stonefly nymphs, followed by small perdigon patterns and egg...
See Full Report
Lower Madison
Last Updated: 11/07/2024
Cold water temperatures from recent storms have pushed most of the feeding trout into the buckets and deeper runs. There are plenty of brown trout on redds right now in...
See Full Report