Best Fishing Rivers in Bozeman, MT
Trout Fishing River Guide
I’m very familiar with the best fishing rivers in Montana near Bozeman, and an experienced fly fishing guide.
I’ve provided a brief profile of the best fishing rivers below. For more detailed information to explore one of these rivers just give me a call. If you book a fishing trip you will not be disappointed.
The Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River (Rodney’s favorite) is the longest free-flowing “wild” river in the continental United States – it flows some 670 miles with no dams along its course. The float through the Paradise Valley is one of the most scenic in Montana, if not the world, and it is home to four fish species; native Yellowstone cutthroat, native mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, and brown trout. If you love fly fishing, you have to fish the Yellowstone at least once in your lifetime.
The Gallatin River
This classic freestone river is so picturesque that it was chosen as the setting for the fishing scenes in the movie “A River Runs Through It.” The upper stretches of this scenic trout river offer terrific wading opportunities, with an abundant population of 10-14″ rainbow trout.
The Madison River
The world-renowned Madison River is usually referred to by guides in two separate sections; totaling 120 miles, the “Upper” and the “Lower”. The Upper flows from Hebgen Lake down to Ennis Lake, through the Madison Valley, and the Lower flows from Ennis Lake down to the Missouri headwaters in Three Forks. Each section fishes very differently, depending on the time of year, and both offer opportunities for dry fly and streamer fishing for rainbows and browns.
The Jefferson River
Best in spring and fall, the Jefferson is formed by the convergence of the Beaverhead & Big Hole rivers. Containing mostly brown and rainbow trout, the Jefferson is part of Lewis and Clark’s historical route.
The Missouri River
This expansive river fishes like a giant spring creek, and has offered arguably the best fishing in Montana for the past several years, with 2 pound rainbows being caught fairly commonly and in good numbers.
*Missouri River trips are $600 per day, bring your own lunch*