Streamers can also sometimes attract those big browns. ... Southwest Montana Region Map. Salmonflies, golden stoneflies, and yellow sallies are found on many streams and rivers. In the fall, be aware of bears, and keep your bear spray on hand. The big treat here is that you can also fish for bull trout. Midges, worms, and scuds are staples. Above is a map and a list of the lakes in Flathead County, . This picturesque land of numerous small lakes, grasslands, meadows, and forests offers excellent opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, hunting and wildlife observation. Begin your search here. It has information on individual local chapters and can be found here: There are many excellent fly shops across Montana. Rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat, and lake trout are all found in Yellowstone along with grayling and mountain whitefish if you know where to look. Yellowstone is about wildlife viewing, geothermal features, and yes, the fishing. Ever since that first magical trip, I always try to make time to fish some of the best water in Montana anytime I am close. Outage: The Montana Fishing Guide will be periodically unavailable Tuesday, April 12. Another lake located on the Madison River, Ennis lake also offers some great fly fishing. Stay in Cooke City Montana and make the short drive into the Lamar Valley. Even better, take a break during the heat of the day and fish the evening hatch once other anglers have left the river. Hebgen Lake is a special trout fishery. Cool rainy weather can be a good time to fish this lower section. Rainbow trout are the main quarry on the Bitterroot although some cutthroat and brown trout can be found as well. The Jefferson River is one of the three main tributaries of the mighty Missouri River and also happens to be the least fished. Here are a few of the flies you shouldn’t leave home without. To be able to float the Smith River, you have to enter a drawing for a permit and hope you get one. Overall numbers of trout begin to decline as you head downriver from Livingston although there are some large trout and even a few sections that still have high densities. The sheer volume of incredible trout water guarantees that. Bean Lake is a small but scenic lake that lies along the Rocky Mountain Front. While there are many great places to fly fish on the Missouri River, some of the best fishing is in the stretch below Holter Dam. This river is not as pressured as some Montana waters although does get its fair share of anglers. As with most cutthroat trout, standard attractor dry flies from size 8-16 are best. The earthquake set off a huge landslide that dammed up the Madison River and created the lake. The good news is that the Gallatin is a premier dry fly river. rivers and other bodies of water in Montana. A ten foot three weight or four weight is an excellent choice as long as the wind is not blowing too strong. The Gallatin is another great trout river with its headwaters in Yellowstone National Park. Come prepared for true winter fishing conditions. Their willingness to attack dry flies is what makes the cutthroat an angler favorite. All of the lakes listed in this section have fish, although most are of the warm water variety consisting of northern pike, walleye, perch and catfish—although good rainbow trout fishing is found at several reservoirs. Once it enters Montana, it flows through Hebgen Lake. Check current regulations if you intend to target bull trout to make sure that you stay legal. The only natural lake on the Madison River, Quake Lake was formed by a strong earthquake in 1959. Stay at the Holter Campground below the dam which offers a boat ramp to launch your boat. Few anglers from out-state ever visit these lakes, providing an angler on a Montana fly fishing trip the opportunity to visit places few people ever see. Yellow sallies are also plentiful. Visitors enjoy swimming, boating, camping, and water skiing, and the lakes are especially noted for great fishing. Very tough, portable and easy to setup. We recommend a well-stocked fly box for success. Small nymphs and light tippets are the key to success here. Presented below are companies that offer guided fishing trips and/or fishing equipment rentals for lakes. Only a small sliver of Yellowstone National Park is actually in Montana. Flathead Lake, Frenchtown Pond State Park, Georgetown Lake, Placid Lake State Park, Seeley Lake and Salmon Lake State Park all welcome you to fish their waters. Havoc on the regions various rivers and reservoirs available in Garmin chart plotters caddis hatches along with occasional... 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