Missouri River Fishing Report
Date: 09/24/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Missouri River is fishing good, but tactics have changed. Dry fly fishing is pretty much over until we move further into fall and start to see BWOs again. For now, nymphing is going to be the ticket.
Nymphing has been steady with zirdles, wire worms, and smaller attractor nymphs like perdigons all producing fish. Running two-fly rigs through the deeper runs has been the most effective approach. Weed growth has started to improve with the cooler weather, which has made drifts cleaner than they were earlier this month.
Streamer fishing has started to pick up, especially with the weeds thinning out. Bigger browns are beginning to move into shallower water, and they’ve been willing to chase in the right conditions. sculpin patterns in dark and natural colors, sparkle minnows, and a mix of weighted streamers have been worth fishing. Adjusting your retrieve to match the water has been key — slower strips in shallow water and faster presentations in deeper runs have been turning heads in the early mornings and when clouds roll in.
Dry fly fishing has been limited. On sunny afternoons, the banks can still be worth prospecting with beetle patterns and smaller terrestrials, but overall surface activity has been light.
Overall, the Missouri is in a transition period. Anglers fly fishing Bozeman and making the drive to the MO should lean on nymph rigs for steady action and keep streamers handy for mornings and cloudy afternoons.
Additional Resources:
- Missouri River fly fishing in September
- Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide to September
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tailwater Sowbug
Tan Morrish Hopper
Golden Thunder Thigh Hopper
Black Zebra Midge
Deer Hair Ant
Dark Olive Spanish Perdigon
Tailwater Sowbug Jig
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
Missouri River Fly Fishing in Craig Montana
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.
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