Montana is well known for its beautiful scenery and productive trout fisheries.

The rivers here are incredibly attractive because the trout are wild and public access is excellent. Montana does not stock trout and every fish caught is naturally reproducing.

The river bottoms are also public land and you can fish anything that lands below the high water mark. It’s the ultimate freedom. Strap on a pair of sandals or wading boots and go explore!

Billings has the largest population and airport so this list begins at the nearest fishery and ends at the farthest. You could easily fly into Bozeman, Missoula, or Kalispell and change the order.

Bighorn

Plenty of anglers fly into Billings solely to visit the Bighorn River. Less than 2 hours Southeast of the airport is the small town of Fort Smith and one of the most productive tailwater trout fisheries in the United States. The dam release makes this a consistent fishery where you can have great days throughout the entire year. When everything else is blown out with runoff or too hot, the Bighorn is a great choice.

Yellowstone

Head a few hours west to fish the Yellowstone near Livingston. The Paradise Valley is loaded with angling opportunities. The river is home to native Westslope Cutthroat Trout and some very large brown trout. You can fish several pay-to-play spring creeks or work through the valley, stopping to wade or float the Yellowstone as you go. Staying the night at Chico Hot Springs is always a good bet.

Madison

Drive through Gardiner along the Yellowstone River then spend a day driving through Yellowstone National Park. Head towards West Yellowstone where you can access the Madison River inside or just outside the park. Focus on the river around the park boundary in spring and fall for big rainbow and brown trout. Otherwise, drive along Hebgen Lake then fish below the dam. After the river exits Quake Lake, you can chase trout throughout the entire Madison Valley. Public access and camping options are abundant. Stop in Ennis for a cold beer and food at the Gravel bar to round out this leg of the trip.

Missouri

From Ennis, head north towards Helena and the trout town of Craig. The Missouri River has several great sections, but the area below Holter Dam is a top-tier fishery. Like the Bighorn, the dam controls flows and temperature, making it a stable choice all year (winter is very cold). Large rainbow and brown trout feast on midges, mayflies, and scuds. The trico hatch is a major event here in the summer.

Blackfoot

A short hour-long drive on Highway 200 takes you to the famous Blackfoot River. A summer and fall fishery with great cutthroat and brown trout fishing. The rugged freestone is perfect for a raft. Wade fishing access is also excellent. Streamers, stoneflies, and caddis are great choices for the opportunistic trout here. A population of bull trout also live in the Blackfoot, but targeting them is not legal.