Missouri River Fishing Report
Date: 04/11/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
Still some pretty solid weather around Craig Montana. Sunday is colder with a chance of snow but other than that the weather looks great to get out on the mighty Missouri River. Fishing has been decent, not quite as consistent as we'd expect but still some fish to be had. Nymphing has been most productive but the streamer bite has been playing and the dry fly fishing should be improving.
If you are looking for numbers of fish try setting up a tandem nymph rig. For your lead fly try fishing a pink Scud, Sow Bug, or a red Worm. Below that Zebra Midges, small dark Perdigons, and Micro Mays have all been getting some love. We are finding most of our nymph fish in very slow moving water.
If you run into a dry fly hatch they are likely eating Midges. Try fishing a Peacock Cluster, Griffiths Gnat, or a Top Secret Midge on a 12 foot 4x or 5x leader. Look for the slow moving slick water close to the banks. If streamer fishing is more your speed try fishing some smaller flashy patterns. Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex, and Peanut Envys are some favorites this time of year.
Our staff recommends late April through early June as the best time of the year for aguided fly fish trip to the Missouri River near Craig, Montana.
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
Olive Micro May
Rainbow Warrior Jig
Tungsten Soft Hacke Pheasant Tail
Missouri River Fly Fishing in Craig Montana
This 35-mile stretch of the Missouri River offers some of the finest fly fishing in Montana. The cold water released from Holter Dam creates a productive tailwater fishery. The river supports a robust population of Rainbow and Brown Trout, thanks to its rich invertebrate biomass.
Our "Missouri River Fishing Guide" is a comprehensive guide to the river stretches and seasonal hatches along with pro tips from our seasoned team of Bozeman fly fishing guides.
Additional Missouri River Fly Fishing Resources
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