Fly Fishing the Missouri River Near Cascade, Montana
The fly fishing on the Missouri River, between Great Falls and Helena, is considered world-class, especially for trout anglers.
This winding stretch of the river is regulated by a system of dams. The result is a steady water temperature and steady flow, which create the right conditions for an incredibly dense trout population.
Trout numbers here often exceed 5,000 fish per mile.
The consistent flows lead to prolific insect hatches in the spring, summer, and fall months.
Whether you’re casting from a drifting boat or wading the sand and gravel bars near Cascade, the clear water gives you the chance to sight-fish for trout.
Combine the great fishing with easy public access, an abundance of local fly shops and lodging options, and it’s easy to see why the Missouri River in Central Montana is a bucket-list destination for people who love fly fishing.
Key Info on Missouri River Fly Fishing
- The Missouri River snakes its way between Great Falls and Helena, offering a range of fishing opportunities along the way.
- You’ll need a Montana State Fishing License.
- Trout per mile range from 3,000 to more than 6,000 (depending on the year).
- There are hotel, rental, and camping options along the river.
Hotels & Lodging Along the Missouri River
I’m focusing on the Missouri River between Helena and Great Falls, in Central Montana. It’s a rural area, so you’ll have big hotel chains in the cities, with smaller inns, motels, and rental homes in between.
I have a whole separate post dedicated to your options, when it comes to hotels, rentals, and camping along the Missouri.
➡️ Click to Read: Best Places to Stay Along the Missouri River
You can plug your dates into this interactive map to see the options and rates for VRBO rentals and hotels:
Trout Montana Motel
Trout Montana is a no-frills motel in Cascade, MT. From here, you can walk to the river and walk to restaurants and shops in town.
➡️ Click to Book: Trout Montana Motel
Hidden Canyon Lodge
Hidden Canyon Lodge is a historic Montana spot, tucked behind Tower Rock State Park. I really think it’s perfect, whether you’re coming to fly fish or just decompress and relax!
Camping on the Missouri
Near Hardy Bridge, the campsites near the boat launch cost $12/night at the Hardy Creek Campground.
Fishing the Missouri River in Montana
Montana is known worldwide for its fly fishing spots. The Missouri River north of Helena is still uncrowded (though locals remember having the whole place to themselves 20 years ago) and a prime destination for a peaceful, productive fishing trip.
Plus, you’ll be surrounded by iconic “Only in Montana” views and landscapes.
High Trout Density
This section of the Missouri River boasts thousands of trout per mile, often 17 to 20 inches long.
- In 2022, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists recorded 6,132 rainbow trout per mile, and 1,594 brown trout.
- In 2024, the numbers dropped to 3,312 rainbow trout and 744 brown trout.
- The fluctuation is the result of winter runoff, water flows, and other environmental factors.
The survey in 2024 found: while there were fewer trout, they averaged an inch longer, at 17.4 inches.
I realize I’m not holding this one correctly as I tossed him back into the river 🎣
Video: Fly Fishing the Missouri River
Unique Fishing Conditions: Consistent, Cold, Clear Water
It’s easy to see why the Missouri River is considered a prime spot for trout fishing. It’s born from some of Montana’s most legendary trout streams: the Madison, Gallatin, and Jefferson Rivers all feed into the Missouri River.
The river flows north, feeding the Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter reservoirs.
The stretch below Holter Dam (which includes the Cascade area) is tailwater-fed. That means:
- Water temperatures stay cool year-round.
- Flows are stable, even in dry summers.
- Clear water supports excellent visibility for sight-fishing.
A Changing River
Warmer winters over the past few decades have reduced winter snowpack, leading to fewer “flushing flows” in the spring. Without those high flows, silt has built up, covering gravel beds and changing the mix of aquatic life.
Biologists with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks say mayflies and caddis flies have declined, but silt-loving bugs like scuds, sow bugs, snails, and worms now thrive. And they provide a feast for the trout.
In some stretches near Craig, surveys have found 20,000 bugs per square meter.
The result? Bigger browns and rainbows, happier anglers, and a booming guide business.
The downside is fewer insect hatches for dry fly fishing, and vegetation clogging boat lanes (at times) in the late summer.
Fishing Access Sites
There are numerous public access points. Two beautiful spots south of Cascade are:
- Mountain Palace fishing boat launch at Hardy Creek
- Prewett Fishing access
Here’s an aerial view of the Mountain Palace Fishing Access Site, showing the parking and boat launch.
What I Love About the Missouri River
When I think about the Missouri, an image of a wide, rapidly moving force of nature comes to mind. In reality, the fishing spots in this part of Montana are calm and pristine.
Plus, I can’t get over how clear the water here is!
Big Sky Scenery
You’ll be fishing with mountains in the distance, under the huge Montana sky, and surrounded by peaceful prairie land. It’s scenic, quiet, and less crowded than more famous rivers like the Madison or Gallatin.
Easy Wading & Float Access
The Missouri River between Great Falls and Helena is very accessible. Visitors won’t have a problem at all. It’s great for drift boats, rafts, and wading.
Guides & Experts On Hand
Especially in Cascade and Craig, MT, you’ll find a number of shops (like Trout Montana below) staffed with friendly local experts, who’ve fished the Missouri for years. They can offer advice on the best spots, scenery, and flies to use for that time of year.
Booking a Fly Fishing Guide in Montana
I fished quite a bit with my dad as a kid, but frankly, I struggle in the “patience” department, so I was hesitant to ask a guide to take me out on the Missouri River.
Thankfully, the patience longtime guide Jason Newmack brought to the boat far outweighed my shortcomings.
Jason grew up in Great Falls, MT, and worked abroad for a few years before returning home to start a business in Montana. He’s been in the adventure tourism industry for 30 years.
They bring groups of two to ten out on the river daily. They fish roughly from 8am to 5pm, though the schedule adjusts based on the insects that are hatching. Plus, the daylight lasts well past 9pm in the summer in Montana! Over the course of the day, they usually float around 10 miles of the winding Missouri River.
I’ve now had two great floats with Jason, his wife Jennifer, and their daughters (who naturally out-fished me, in the kindest way possible 😊 ).
More Photos of Missouri River Fishing
Wrap on the Missouri River
While some locals will say the river these days has too many tubers and kayakers, it’s still so peaceful compared to other popular floating spots.
And for true anglers, the Missouri now ranks as one of Montana’s most popular fisheries, with 160,000 to 200,000 “angler days” per year.
What’s lured me to the Missouri River for many years is the scenery around Hardy Bridge and Tower Rock State Park. I love hiking around the Great Falls area, the Bears Paw Mountains up closer to Havre, and around the Swift Reservoir (in the Bob Marshall Wilderness). Of course, few spots beat the stunning hiking and photography options in Glacier National Park.
After floating the river with Jason and Jen, I have a newfound appreciation for fishing. It was such an escape from my daily work life, and such a relaxing experience. Maybe I’m becoming more patient as I age?
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