Big western rivers (wade fishing)
9′ rod, 5–6 weight, floating line · Rainbow and brown trout, whitefish
Open checklist
Missoula
Missoula sits where the Clark Fork, Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers meet in western Montana, with Rock Creek to the east.
- Montana · West
- 4 waters
- 16 guides nearby
- 12 shops nearby
- MSO airport · 5 mi
Photo credit
The Clark Fork running through Missoula, Montana. Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons
Waters around Missoula
About this
Tap a water for its live flow, access map, regulations and hatches.
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Photo credit
The Clark Fork in Missoula, Montana. Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Photo credit
The Bitterroot River from Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville. Photo: John David Stutts, CC BY 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Photo credit
The lower Blackfoot River east of Missoula. Photo: Bureau of Land Management, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Photo credit
Rock Creek on the Missoula Ranger District, Lolo National Forest. Photo: USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Distances and official pages
The rivers, lakes or flats this hub is organised around, each with its straight-line distance from Missoula. Within 40 miles a water's own page names this hub as near; a farther one shows its distance instead. Where a nearby guide names a water on its own website, we say how many do. Access, seasons and special regulations differ by reach: check the agency pages under license and rules.
- Clark Fork River3 mi from Missoula in a straight line · named on 10 guide websites nearby
- Bitterroot River4 mi from Missoula in a straight line · named on 12 guide websites nearby
- Blackfoot River5 mi from Missoula in a straight line · named on 8 guide websites nearby
- Rock Creek18 mi from Missoula in a straight line · named on 4 guide websites nearby
All gauge readings
The first USGS gauge on each water: the latest reading, how it compares with that gauge's record for today's date, the 24-hour trend and the NWS flood stage. Open a water for what the level means.
Reading the gauges around Missoula…
Meet local guides
About this
16 guide listings within 60 miles (15 fly-focused), fly-focused first. Unclaimed listings say so on their page: confirm licensing, rates and dates with the outfitter.
Missoula Guided Fly Fishing
Missoula, MT · 1 mi
Float trips · Lodge packages · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Montana Trout Outfitters
Missoula, MT · 5 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
R R 406 Fly Fishing Guides
Missoula, MT · 9 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
John Perry's Montana Fly Fishing
Clinton, MT · 19 mi
Beginners & lessons · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Montana Rivers and Ridges Outfitter
Stevensville, MT · 22 mi
Float trips · Beginners & lessons · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Fly shops nearby
About this
12 shop listings in the towns around Missoula, fly shops first. Confirm hours with the shop before you go.
Fish around Missoula
About this
Species the state agency lists on the waters here. A species listed for one water is not a promise for every water.
Rainbow trout
Listed on 4 waters here
Photo credit
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brown trout
Listed on 4 waters here
Photo credit
Brown trout (Salmo trutta), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service illustration. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brook trout
Listed on 4 waters here
Photo credit
Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Cutthroat trout
Listed on 4 waters here
Photo credit
Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), photographed by James E. Johnson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: James E. Johnson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bull trout
Listed on 4 waters here
Photo credit
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), photographed by Bart Gammet for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Bart Gammet, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern pike
Listed on 3 waters here
Photo credit
Northern pike (Esox lucius), illustration by Timothy Knepp for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Timothy Knepp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Panfish
Listed on 3 waters here
Photo credit
A bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), photographed by Ryan Hagerty for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Largemouth bass
Listed on 2 waters here
Photo credit
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Lake trout
Listed on 1 water here
Photo credit
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), painting by Timothy Knepp for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Timothy Knepp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Smallmouth bass
Listed on 1 water here
Photo credit
Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Agency species and seasons (13 waters)
Taken from the state agency pages of 13 waters around Missoula, each on its own water page with the agency link. Seasons are quoted word for word and apply to the water named.
- Mountain Whitefish5 waters
- Rainbow Trout5 waters
- Brook Trout4 waters
- Brown Trout4 waters
- Bull Trout4 waters
- Largescale Sucker4 waters
- Longnose Dace4 waters
- Longnose Sucker4 waters
- Northern Pike Minnow4 waters
- Slimy Sculpin4 waters
- Westslope Cutthroat Trout4 waters
- Northern Pike3 waters
- Peamouth3 waters
- Redside Shiner3 waters
- Yellow Perch3 waters
- Black Bullhead2 waters
And 12 more species on the water pages.
Species guides mention (13)
Counted from the species each guide lists on its own site. This is what guides advertise, not an agency species list or a promise of what you will catch.
- Cutthroat trout5
- Brown trout3
- Brook trout2
- Rainbow trout2
- Bull trout1
- Northern pike1
Things to know
Fishing license: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Fees on the agency page.
Getting there
MSO Missoula Montana Airport · 5 mi
Regulations and access
Seasons, limits and access: agency pages.
Official license and rules pages
Buy the license from the agency and read its current regulations before you go. These links are the authoritative pages; nothing on this page grants or implies access to any water, and fees are only shown when read from the agency page on a stated date.
Nothing here grants or implies access to any water.
The Missoula area
About this
The circle is the 60-mile area this page covers, around Missoula. Tap a water for its page. Shops and guides appear where they publish a street address on their own website; all of them are listed above.
Map of the Missoula area: its waters, shops and guides
Map of Missoula: the 60-mile area this page covers, its waters, and shops and guides with an exact address.
Restrooms near Missoula
Restrooms near Missoula
Restrooms within 5 miles of the centre of Missoula in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
Map of 8 restrooms near Missoula
Skip the map; every place is in the list belowMap of 8 restrooms near Missoula, numbered as in the list, with the town centre marked.
Restroom
under 0.1 mi away in a straight lineRun by Missoula County (as mapped)
- Flush toilet (mapped)
- Public (mapped)
- Free (mapped)
- Wheelchair accessible (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
0.2 mi away in a straight lineNot rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
0.3 mi away in a straight lineNot rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
0.4 mi away in a straight lineRun by Missoula County (as mapped)
- Flush toilet (mapped)
- Public (mapped)
- Wheelchair accessible (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
0.7 mi away in a straight line- Vault or pit toilet (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
0.9 mi away in a straight lineRun by University of Montana (as mapped)
- Flush toilet (mapped)
- Public (mapped)
- Free (mapped)
- Wheelchair accessible (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
1.1 mi away in a straight lineNot rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
1.6 mi away in a straight lineNot rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Base yourself nearby
About this
Missoula itself has the widest choice of places to stay; Hamilton and Stevensville put you closer to the Bitterroot. We do not list or price properties. The search opens an outside site.
Nearest airports
About this
Distances are straight-line from the town centre, computed from OurAirports open data; distances by road are longer. Fares are never estimated here.
- MSO Missoula Montana AirportMissoula, MT · 5 mi · regionalSearch flights
- BTM Bert Mooney AirportButte, MT · 95 mi · regionalSearch flights
- HLN Helena Regional AirportHelena, MT · 97 mi · regionalSearch flights
- GEG Spokane International AirportSpokane, WA · 174 mi · major hubSearch flights
Rough out the trip
About this
Set nights, anglers and guided days. Each line says where its figure comes from, and anything we cannot source honestly (guide rates, fares, license fees not read from the agency page) stays a link rather than a number.
Estimates, not quotes
- Fishing licenseSee sourceAgency page
Source
One per angler (2 anglers). Fees are set by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; see the agency page.
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks - Guided days5 rates pagesMontana Fishing CompanyBob Powell's Guide ServiceMontana Rivers and Ridges OutfitterFly Fishing Always
Source
1 guided day for 2 anglers. We do not copy guide rates: 5 guides near here publish a rates page on their own website.
Source: Guide websites (rates pages linked, never copied) - Find lodgingSee sourceSearch lodging
Source
Search places to stay near the destination. We do not list or price properties.
Source: Lodging search link - FlightsSee sourceSearch flights
Source
Fares are not estimated here. Search flights to MSO (Missoula Montana Airport).
Source: Flight search link (no fares quoted)
No priced itemsUse the links for real figures.
How we estimate
Estimates, not quotes. Nothing here is a price from a guide, a property or an airline; confirm every cost with the provider before you book. No placeholder lodging range is configured for this region, and licenses, guided days and flights are never priced here.
Parks, forests and visitor offices
About this
For the non-fishing days, or the people traveling with you. Official sources only; what to do there is for their pages to say.
Gear checklist
About this
A wade-fishing checklist for big western trout rivers: a 9 ft 5–6 weight outfit, nymph, dry and streamer setups, waders, boots and a wading staff, with estimated prices by tier and where to buy.
Watch: wade fishing a big river
About this
Covering broad water and staying upright in it.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Walk & Wade Streamer Fishing for Trout | Madison River MontanaEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Not sponsored All videos on big rivers
Stories from Montana
About this
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly, tagged with a water in Montana.
No Montana stories yet.
Sources for this page
All 9 sources
Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories (open map records checked against each business’s own website). Everything else links to the publisher below; this page copies none of their text. A destination hub organises discovery; it does not assert public access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: fishing licensesMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Montana fishing regulationsMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Montana FWP fishing: access and fishery informationMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Lolo National ForestUSDA Forest Service
- Glacier National ParkNational Park Service
- Visit MontanaMontana Office of Tourism
- Destination MissoulaDestination Missoula (official tourism office)
- OurAirports open data (airport locations)OurAirports, public domain
- Overture Maps places (guide and shop map records)Overture Maps Foundation, CDLA-Permissive 2.0
Links checked 13 Oct 2026. Not a claim of access or conditions.