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Missouri River Fishing Report

Date: 09/28/2026
Posted by: Toby Swank

Current Conditions

The Missouri River is cooling down quickly, and the streamer fishing has been solid. Weeds are becoming less of a problem, making it easier to spend time stripping olive buggers, leeches, and smaller baitfish patterns without cleaning the fly every few casts.

Nymphing is still the dependable way to stay into fish. Sowbugs remain important, with small black or olive perdigons, zebra midges, and mayfly nymphs behind them. Fish are holding at different depths, so adjust the rig before cycling through a bunch of flies.

There are some pseudos around, but the bigger fall baetis fishing isn’t here yet. Small mayfly dries, parachute adams, and purple hazes are worth having ready when heads show, but right now the stronger options are still nymphing and streamers.

Additional Resources:

 - September Fishing

Stream Flows

View stream flow graph on USGS

Recommended Flies

				  Tailwater Sowbug

Tailwater Sowbug Jig

				  Tailwater Sowbug Rainbow

Tailwater Sowbug

				  Zebra Midge Black Copper

Black Zebra Midge

				  Zonkers are a top 5 fly pattern for lower Madison River fishing in dirty water.

White Zonker

				  Sprout Midge Gry

Gray Sprout Midge

				  Tailwater tiny olive

Olive Tailwater Tiny

				  Streamer fly fishing in Montana with Mini Dungeons is productive throughout the state.

Olive Mini Dungeon

				  Gonga Double Gray

Gray Gonga

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.


Additional Missouri River Fly Fishing Resources


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Missouri River Fly Fishing Area Map



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