Missouri River — Wild & Scenic
Upper Missouri Breaks · Fort Benton to Robinson Bridge
N Central Montana, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown and Rainbow.
Stream gauge: 06090800. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
The Missouri is running 10,200 cfs — high but fishable water that's keeping temps in the sweet spot for PMD and caddis emergence. With peak June conditions arriving, expect strong PMD hatches during midday warming and consistent evening caddis activity. No recent shop intel — outlook based on current conditions and seasonal timing. Focus mornings on trico spinners before 9am, then switch to PMD dries and emergers through the warming hours.
- Flow: 10,200 cfs — elevated but manageable. Good wading in shallows, drift boat recommended for covering water efficiently.
- Hatches: Peak PMD window arriving with midday emergence. Evening caddis reliable. Trico spinners before 9am, then hopper banks midday.
- Water Temp: Optimal 58-64°F range maintains bug activity. Cool nights keep morning fishing comfortable before afternoon heat.
- Best Window: Trico spinners 7-9am, PMD emergence 11am-2pm, evening caddis push starting around 6pm through dusk.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: May–Sept, peak June–Aug
The Missouri River's Wild and Scenic stretch from Fort Benton to the James Kipp Recreation Area in central Montana is a long, slow-moving prairie river running through dramatic White Cliffs country — the same landscape Lewis and Clark described in 1805. The river holds smallmouth bass, walleye, sauger, and the occasional channel catfish, with limited trout in cooler tributaries. The fishery is more about the multi-day float experience than pure productivity: a wilderness float through some of the most historically significant landscape in the West.
The Wild and Scenic Missouri runs through the White Cliffs — the same landscape Lewis and Clark described as being among the most striking they saw on their entire 1805 expedition — making this float trip a literal recreation of one of the most famous American journeys.
January Outlook
January below Fort Peck Dam is a specialized winter fishery. The tailwater stays 34-38°F but sauger, walleye, and the occasional large brown trout are active below the dam in the first few miles.
Productive Patterns
- Mysis Shrimp
- Sow Bug (small)
- Jig-head Streamer
- BH Pheasant Tail
Tips
Nymph tight to the bottom in the coldest winter flows. Sauger fishing in the evening can be exceptional directly below Fort Peck. Focus within 5 miles of the dam.
Water Notes
Water 34-38°F. Dam-regulated releases. Ice forms along shore edges but the main current stays open.
February Outlook
February continues the winter tailwater pattern. Brown trout are beginning to show signs of increased activity as photoperiod lengthens. Nymphing remains the most consistent tactic.
Productive Patterns
- Mysis Shrimp
- BH Hare's Ear
- Sow Bug
- Pheasant Tail
Tips
Slowly swing mysis patterns in the deep slots. Large brown trout start becoming more catchable in mid-February.
Water Notes
Water 35-40°F. Stable dam flows. Some ice-free opportunities on warming afternoons.
March Outlook
March brings early Blue-winged Olive hatches on warm afternoons. The Missouri through the CMR (Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge) section has excellent hatches despite its remote location. Paddlefish snagging season draws crowds to Fort Peck.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Parachute #18-20
- RS2
- Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Parachute Adams
Tips
Watch for BWO hatches between 11am-2pm on overcast days above 45°F air temp. Dry fly fishing on the Missouri is underrated.
Water Notes
Water 40-48°F. Runoff hasn't reached this far east yet. Stable conditions in March.
April Outlook
April brings more consistent BWO hatches and the first baetis hatches of the season. Sauger fishing peaks. The 150-mile stretch through the CMR section is very lightly fished and offers remote adventure.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Parachute
- Sparkle Dun (BWO)
- RS2
- Soft Hackle (wet)
Tips
This section requires a boat or float — most access is remote. Pack camping gear for multi-day floats. Trout, walleye, sauger, and catfish are all active.
Water Notes
Water 46-56°F. Pre-runoff stability. Excellent hatch conditions on cloudy days.
May Outlook
May is the prime month on the Missouri Wild & Scenic. PMD hatches begin, Caddis are emerging, and the warm-water species (walleye, sauger, channel cats) are in peak condition. This section is a true wilderness.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
- PMD Sparkle Dun
- Hare's Ear Caddis Pupa
- CDC Caddis
Tips
Float camping through the White Cliffs is a bucket-list experience. Evenings with rising fish and no other humans around for miles. Excellent caddis hatches.
Water Notes
Water 54-62°F. Minimal runoff influence here — dam controls the flow. Hatches are prolific.
June Outlook
June delivers excellent fly fishing with trico hatches beginning and PMDs continuing strong. The white cliffs section is spectacular. Fishing is best in early morning and evening.
Productive Patterns
- Trico Spinner (size 20-22)
- PMD
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Hopper (banks)
Tips
Trico spinner falls in the morning before 9am. Midday hopper fishing along the sage and grassy banks. Evening caddis brings fish up across the entire river.
Water Notes
Water 58-64°F. Stable and warm. June has the best all-around conditions.
July Outlook
July is prime hopper month with grasshoppers blowing into the river from the CMR grasslands. The bank fishing is extraordinary with large trout and walleye lined up waiting. Trico hatches continue in the morning.
Productive Patterns
- Dave's Hopper
- Parachute Hopper
- Trico Spinner
- Chernobyl Ant (attractor)
Tips
Drift hoppers within 6 inches of the bank. Cast to the shadows under sage overhangs. Evening caddis hatches keep fish rising until dark.
Water Notes
Water 62-68°F. Long summer days. Early morning and evening are the best windows.
August Outlook
August hopper fishing is exceptional throughout the CMR. The White Cliffs section is accessible from Coal Banks and Judith Landing landings. Caddis hatches in the evening. Very light pressure on weekdays.
Productive Patterns
- Dave's Hopper
- Parachute Hopper
- PMX (yellow)
- Evening Caddis
Tips
The remote CMR section is at its finest in August. Hopper/dropper rigs are most effective. Float in the morning, camp at midday, fish in the evening.
Water Notes
Water 64-70°F. Warm but not too warm. The dam keeps this section cooler than surrounding water.
September Outlook
September brings the first BWO hatches of fall and excellent streamer fishing as browns begin pre-spawn behavior. Walleye fishing peaks. The CMR section is spectacular in fall colors.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Parachute #18
- Streamer (olive/white)
- Clouser Minnow
- Pheasant Tail
Tips
September is the best month for large brown trout on streamers. Pre-spawn aggression makes fish less selective. Fish the deep undercut banks.
Water Notes
Water 58-64°F. Cooling water triggers fall feeding. Excellent September conditions.
October Outlook
October is spectacular for brown trout as spawn approaches. Fish become very aggressive in October. BWO hatches on cold cloudy days. The remote canyon scenery is incredible in fall light.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Parachute
- Streamer (large/flashy)
- Egg Fly (pre-spawn)
- Sculpin
Tips
Pre-spawn brown trout in October are the most aggressive of the year. Swing large streamers through deep pools. Dry fly BWO action on overcast afternoons.
Water Notes
Water 50-58°F. Fall conditions. Excellent pre-spawn fishing from mid-October onward.
November Outlook
November has good nymph and streamer fishing for brown trout late in the spawn. Cold weather limits most casual anglers creating excellent solitude. Walleye and sauger fishing picks up again.
Productive Patterns
- Streamer
- Mysis Shrimp
- BH Nymph
- Egg/Spawn Fly
Tips
Post-spawn brown trout are available through mid-November. Shift to mysis and nymph fishing below the dam as temperatures drop.
Water Notes
Water 42-52°F. Cooling rapidly. Ice forms on the edges by month's end in most years.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midge Chironomidae |
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec | #20–26 |
|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. |
Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov | Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov | #18–22 |
|
| Skwala Stonefly Skwala americana |
Mar, Apr | Mar, Apr | #8–10 |
|
| March Brown Rhithrogena morrisoni |
May | Apr, May | #12–16 |
|
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella inermis |
Jun | May, Jun, Jul | #16–18 |
|
| Caddis Trichoptera spp. |
Jun, Jul | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–16 |
|
| Trico Tricorythodes spp. |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #20–24 |
|
Access & Approach
Fort Benton, MT is the primary base for floating. Multi-day float trips dominate. Montana fishing license required. BLM-managed permits for multi-day camping.
Regulations & License
Fishing in Montana requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Montana fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Missouri River — Wild & Scenic conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
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