10 Best Montana Towns for Fly Fishing

10 Best Montana Towns for Fly Fishing

Where World-Class Trout Water Is Minutes Away

Montana is the fly fishing capital of America, home to legendary rivers like the Madison, Yellowstone, Missouri, and Blackfoot. But which towns give you the best access? We ranked every Montana community by the number of rivers, fishing access sites, and lakes within reach. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, these towns put you on the water.

#1
MissoulaThe Garden City
Pop. 77,757

Missoula has 5 rivers, 44 fishing access sites, and 127 lakes nearby. Located in Missoula County County at 3,215 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 5
Fishing Access: 44
Lakes: 127
Population: 77,757
#2
StevensvilleMontana's First Settlement
Pop. 1,337

Stevensville has 4 rivers, 45 fishing access sites, and 130 lakes nearby. Located in Ravalli County County at 3,317 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 4
Fishing Access: 45
Lakes: 130
Population: 1,337
#3
AlbertonGateway to the Clark Fork
Pop. 452

Alberton has 5 rivers, 38 fishing access sites, and 85 lakes nearby. Located in Mineral County County at 3,041 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 5
Fishing Access: 38
Lakes: 85
Population: 452
#4
St. IgnatiusThe Mission Valley Gateway
Pop. 768

St. Ignatius has 5 rivers, 36 fishing access sites, and 90 lakes nearby. Located in Lake County County at 2,936 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 5
Fishing Access: 36
Lakes: 90
Population: 768
#5
PinesdaleThe Bitterroot Valley Haven
Pop. 833

Pinesdale has 4 rivers, 37 fishing access sites, and 104 lakes nearby. Located in Ravalli County County at 4,003 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 4
Fishing Access: 37
Lakes: 104
Population: 833
#6
PhilipsburgMontana's Silver Town
Pop. 841

Philipsburg has 5 rivers, 33 fishing access sites, and 128 lakes nearby. Located in Granite County County at 5,249 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 5
Fishing Access: 33
Lakes: 128
Population: 841
#7
HamiltonThe Heart of the Bitterroot
Pop. 4,659

Hamilton has 5 rivers, 31 fishing access sites, and 104 lakes nearby. Located in Ravalli County County at 3,573 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 5
Fishing Access: 31
Lakes: 104
Population: 4,659
#8
RonanThe Heart of the Mission Valley
Pop. 1,955

Ronan has 4 rivers, 32 fishing access sites, and 81 lakes nearby. Located in Lake County County at 3,051 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 4
Fishing Access: 32
Lakes: 81
Population: 1,955
#9
DrummondThe Bullshippers Capital of the World
Pop. 272

Drummond has 5 rivers, 30 fishing access sites, and 121 lakes nearby. Located in Granite County County at 3,957 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 5
Fishing Access: 30
Lakes: 121
Population: 272
#10
Seeley LakeThe Heart of the Clearwater
Pop. 1,682

Seeley Lake has 5 rivers, 28 fishing access sites, and 102 lakes nearby. Located in Missoula County County at 4,088 feet, it's a premier base camp for Montana fly fishing.

Rivers: 5
Fishing Access: 28
Lakes: 102
Population: 1,682

How We Ranked These Towns

Ranked by a composite fishing score: number of rivers (×3 weight) + fishing access sites (×2) + lakes (×1) within the standard radius. Blue-ribbon rivers and designated fishing access sites are weighted more heavily than general lakes.

Data last collected: Zillow Research (Jan 2026), U.S. Census ACS (Jan 2026), FBI UCR (Jan 2026), Montana OPI/NCES (Jan 2026), Montana DPHHS (Jan 2026), EPA NPL (Jan 2026). Rankings are updated when data is refreshed. Check individual town profiles for details.

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