Missouri River Fishing Report
Date: 09/04/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Missouri River has been getting better with the cooler weather. Water temperatures have dropped, weed growth isn't nearly as bad as it was a couple of weeks ago, and anglers have a lot more options than they did earlier in August. Nymphing is still putting the most fish in the net, but there have been enough fish looking up that it's worth keeping a dry rod rigged.
A zirdle bug or wire worm with a zebra midge, tailwater sowbug, or Warrior perdigon underneath has been the most consistent nymph setup. If fish start rising, switch over to a Henneberry hopper, cluster midge, or small trico pattern rather than fishing blind. The cooler mornings have also made streamer fishing a better option than it was a few weeks ago, especially with olive or natural baitfish patterns.
The Missouri is offering a little bit of everything right now. Pay attention to what the fish are doing, adjust as the day changes, and don't be afraid to switch techniques if one approach slows down.
Additional Resources:
Stream Flows
View stream flow graph on USGS
Recommended Flies
Tailwater Sowbug Jig
Tailwater Sowbug
Black Zebra Midge
White Zonker
Gray Sprout Midge
Olive Tailwater Tiny
Olive Mini Dungeon
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.
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