Montana Fly Fishing Lakes

There are no shortages of stillwater options for anglers fly fishing in Montana these days. The options are seemingly endless, ranging from small, high-country lakes in the Beartooth Mountains to the expansive reservoirs along the Missouri River.

For the trout angler, the most productive lakes and reservoirs can be found throughout the western half of the Big Sky State. The best times to fly fish lakes and reservoirs in Montana are just after the ice melts and mid-summer when mayfly hatches are most prolific. However, productive outings can be found throughout the summer and fall seasons using various techniques, such as stripping small streamers or suspending flies under a strike indicator.

Our Montana fishing guides look to a handful of stillwater options during the runoff month of May when the Montana rivers are high and off-color. Experienced anglers enjoy fishing these in July and August when Callibaetis and trico hatches occur and conditions are just right.. Contact us to learn more about our stillwater guided fly fishing trips near Bozeman.

										Willow creek reservoir fly fishing

Harrison Lake

										Ennis lake view from above

Ennis Lake

										Flooded forests are the present day reminders of the devastating earthquake that formed Quake Lake in 1959.

Earthquake Lake


From Our Montana Fly Fishing Blog

Montana Fishing Reports

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Gallatin River

Last Updated: 07/18/2025

The Gallatin River is fishing great. The river continues to run cool and clear through the Gallatin Canyon and higher in the valley. Anglers should be advised that the river...

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Upper Madison

Last Updated: 07/18/2025

The Upper Madison River has been fishing well. Morning temperatures remain cool, gradually warming through the day, which has made for consistent numbers of caddis, yellow sallies, PMD’s and goldenstones...

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Lower Madison

Last Updated: 07/18/2025

The Lower Madison River has been a challenging fishery this week. Water temps have been hot, and fishing has been difficult in the afternoons. Hatch activity has been sparse in...

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