Fishing Near Great Falls, Montana

Great Falls has something almost no other Montana city can claim — the Missouri River flows directly through town, just one mile from downtown, carrying brown and rainbow trout past city parks and beneath highway bridges. But the in-town Missouri is only the beginning. Forty-six miles downstream lies the Missouri River at Craig, the same world-class tailwater that draws fly anglers from around the globe to Helena's doorstep, holding 4,000+ trout per mile in cold, dam-regulated water. The Sun River drains the Bob Marshall Wilderness 29 miles to the west, the legendary Smith River awaits permit-holders 39 miles away, and Giant Springs State Park houses one of Montana's most important fish hatcheries. With 11 lakes and multiple rivers within reach,Great Falls is an underappreciated fishing base. For the full city profile, see our Great Falls guide.

At a Glance

• 11 lakes within 50 miles
• Primary species: Brown trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, walleye, northern pike
• In-town fishery: Missouri River at Great Falls — 1 mile from downtown
• Signature tailwater: Missouri River at Craig (46 mi) — 4,000+ trout per mile
• Permit-only float: Smith River (39 mi) — lottery system for float permits
• Closest river: Missouri River, 1 mile — flows through the city
• Fish hatchery: Giant Springs State Fish Hatchery at Giant Springs State Park (4 mi)
• License required: Montana fishing license (available at local shops and fwp.mt.gov)

The Missouri River at Great Falls

The Missouri River's passage through Great Falls is the city's defining geographic feature and its most accessible fishery. The river enters the city from the southwest, tumbles over the series of falls and dams that give the city its name, and flows northeast toward Fort Benton and the Missouri Breaks. Above the dams, the river holds rainbow trout, brown trout, and mountain whitefish in cold, clear water. Below the falls, the river transitions to warmer water with walleye, northern pike, sauger, and smallmouth bass joining the mix — a diverse urban fishery accessible from the River's Edge Trail and city park access points.

Giant Springs State Park (4 miles from downtown) is the best access point for the upper Missouri in the Great Falls area. The park sits at the outflow of Giant Springs — one of the largest freshwater springs in the world — where a constant 54°F water temperature sustains year-round trout populations. The Giant Springs State Fish Hatchery, located within the park, raises rainbow trout for stocking across Montana, and the spring outflow itself holds wild trout in crystal-clear water. Shore fishing along the Missouri within the park is productive, and the short Roe River — one of the world's shortest — connects the spring to the Missouri through a channel that trout frequently enter.

The Missouri River Tailwater at Craig

The Missouri River below Holter Dam — 46 miles southeast of Great Falls near the town of Craig — is one of the premier trout streams in the United States. This is the same legendary tailwater accessible from Helena, and Great Falls anglers share it as a primary destination. The 35-mile stretch from Holter Dam downstream consistently holds 4,000 to 5,000 trout per mile — predominantly rainbow and brown trout in the 14- to 20-inch range, with fish exceeding 20 inches taken regularly. Cold, stable water temperatures maintained by dam releases create ideal conditions for prolific insect hatches year-round.

Drift-boat fishing is the standard approach on the Craig tailwater, with outfitters running full-day floats through the canyon below the dam. Wade fishing is productive at access points near Craig and at the Dearborn River confluence. The Mother's Day caddis hatch in mid-May is legendary — blizzard hatches of caddis flies blanket the water and produce explosive dry-fly action. Pale morning duns carry the summer, tricos take over in July and August, and blue-winged olives return for outstanding fall fishing on overcast afternoons. The tailwater fishes well even in winter, with midge hatches bringing trout to the surface on warmer days.

The Smith River

The Smith River (39 miles from Great Falls) is one of Montana's most coveted fishing and floating experiences — a 59-mile, multi-day canyon float through remote limestone gorges accessible only by raft, canoe, or drift boat. Access is controlled by a competitive lottery permit system administered by Montana FWP, with the float season running from late May through early July depending on water conditions. Brown trout and rainbow trout inhabit the river, and the canyon scenery — towering limestone walls, cave openings, and old-growth ponderosa pine — is spectacular.

Great Falls is one of the closest cities to the Smith River put-in at Camp Baker, making it an ideal staging point for Smith River float trips. The permit lottery is highly competitive — applications open in February for the upcoming season, and demand far exceeds supply. For anglers who draw a permit, the Smith offers a rare combination of wilderness solitude, quality trout fishing, and multi-day river camping that few other experiences in Montana can match. Check Montana FWP for current lottery deadlines and float conditions.

The Sun River

The Sun River (29 miles west) drains the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountain Front and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, flowing east through Sun River Canyon before reaching the plains and eventually joining the Missouri south of Great Falls. The upper Sun River above Gibson Reservoir holds cutthroat and rainbow trout in cold, freestone water surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. Below the reservoir, the river warms and widens through agricultural bottomlands, supporting brown trout, rainbow trout, and mountain whitefish. The Sun River is less pressured than the Missouri tailwater at Craig and offers a more intimate freestone fishing experience, with wading access at bridge crossings and BLM land along the river corridor.

The Lakes

Great Falls has 11 lakes within 50 miles — fewer than Helena's reservoir chain but offering a mix of fishing opportunities. Several smaller lakes and reservoirs in the surrounding prairie provide warmwater fishing for walleye, northern pike, and perch, while mountain lakes along the Rocky Mountain Front hold trout in alpine settings. Lake access on the plains is generally straightforward with developed boat ramps and shore-fishing areas. The contrast between prairie reservoir fishing and mountain lake fishing is striking — a single day can take you from casting for pike on a windswept plains reservoir to fishing for cutthroat in a cirque lake beneath the Continental Divide.

The Rivers

Beyond the Missouri and the tailwater at Craig, Great Falls is within reach of several significant Montana rivers. The Sun River (29 miles) is the closest major freestone stream, offering rainbow and brown trout in a scenic Front Range setting. The Smith River (39 miles) is the legendary permit-only float detailed above. The Missouri River at Craig (46 miles) is the world-class tailwater that anchors the region's fishing reputation. Together, these rivers give Great Falls anglers access to three fundamentally different fishing experiences — urban river, freestone stream, and dam-regulated tailwater — all within an hour's drive.

Fishing Access Sites

Formal FWP fishing access sites near Great Falls are limited — only one designated site, Pelican Point FAS (31 miles), falls within 50 miles. However, public fishing access is more abundant than the formal count suggests. Giant Springs State Park provides excellent Missouri River shore access within the city, and multiple city park access points along the River's Edge Trail reach the Missouri's banks. The Craig tailwater has well-developed boat launches and wade-fishing access at bridge crossings. Sun River access is available at bridge crossings and on BLM land along the river corridor. Smith River access is controlled through the permit system at Camp Baker.

Seasonal Guide

Spring (March–May): The Missouri through Great Falls fishes well from ice-off, with brown trout active on streamers and nymphs as water temperatures rise. The Craig tailwater's blue-winged olive hatches begin as early as March, and the legendary Mother's Day caddis hatch in mid-May produces some of the year's best dry-fly action. Sun River runoff typically peaks in May and June — fish the lower Sun during clearing conditions for aggressive post-runoff trout. Smith River float permits run from late May into July depending on water levels.

Summer (June–August): Prime season across all waters. The Missouri through town offers early morning and evening fishing to avoid midday heat. The Craig tailwater's stable flows maintain excellent fishing through summer — pale morning dun hatches in June and July, tricos in July and August. The Sun River fishes best with terrestrial patterns — hoppers, beetles, and ants — from July into September. Giant Springs' constant-temperature water provides reliable fishing even on the hottest days. Water temperatures on the in-town Missouri rise in August, pushing trout activity to dawn and dusk.

Fall (September–November): Many experienced anglers consider fall the best season on the Missouri. Brown trout become aggressive ahead of their October– November spawn, and streamer fishing on both the Craig tailwater and the in-town Missouri produces some of the year's largest fish. Blue-winged olives return on overcast autumn afternoons for outstanding dry-fly fishing. The Sun River is excellent in early fall with lower, clearer flows and reduced angling pressure. Fall colors along the Missouri cottonwood corridors make this a scenic time to fish.

Winter (December–February): The Missouri through Great Falls remains fishable year-round in open water sections, though ice forms along the banks and in slower pools. The Craig tailwater is the primary winter destination — midges are the dominant hatch, and nymphing with small midge patterns under an indicator is the standard technique. Warmer winter afternoons can bring trout to midge clusters on the surface. Giant Springs' spring-fed water never freezes and provides reliable winter trout fishing within the city. Ice fishing on prairie reservoirs targets walleye, perch, and northern pike.

Local Resources

Great Falls has a well-established fly-fishing community supported by local fly shops and outfitters. Shops in town carry gear and provide current conditions for the in-town Missouri, Sun River, and the Craig tailwater. Craig-based outfitters — roughly an hour south — are the go-to for guided drift-boat trips on the Missouri tailwater. The Giant Springs Fish Hatchery at Giant Springs State Park is open to visitors and provides an educational look at Montana's trout-stocking program. A Montana fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older; licenses are available online at Montana FWP or at local sporting goods stores. Non-resident licenses are available for durations ranging from two days to a full season. Smith River float permits are awarded by lottery — applications open in February; check FWP for current deadlines.

For hiking and other outdoor activities near Great Falls, see our hiking guide and the weekend itinerary.