Missouri River below Holter Dam Fishing Guide

The Missouri below Holter Dam is a big tailwater with very high numbers of wild rainbow trout and a good number of browns. Most anglers float between Holter Dam, Wolf Creek, Craig and Cascade, and wade fishermen use the marked walk-in and FWP access sites along the river road. Trout rules here are tighter than many Montana rivers, and walleye and northern pike have their own limits.

📍 Missouri River in west-central Montana, from Holter Dam downstream through Wolf Creek and Craig to Cascade (about 35 river miles). Old Highway 91 (the Missouri River Recreation Road) runs along the river to Cascade. From Helena, take I-15 north to Craig.

Map: spots, ramps and marinas

★ Fishing hot spot · ● Boat ramp · ● Marina · ▭ Protected area (solid red = no fishing, dashed = fishing with rules)

Open the full Rocky Mountain Trout Rivers map →

Quick facts

The Holter Dam to Cascade Bridge section is 35 river miles long (Montana FWP).
In fall 2021 FWP counted 6,611 rainbow trout (10 inches and longer) per mile in the Craig section, well above the 39-year average of 3,490.
The Holter Dam to Cascade Bridge stretch has averaged over 113,000 angler days a year since 1991, and ranked second in Montana in 2019 with 154,628 angler days.
There are 11 FWP fishing access sites downstream of Wolf Creek Bridge.
Flows come from the dams upstream (Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter); FWP recommends at least 4,100 cfs year-round to keep side channels wet for trout spawning and rearing.

What you can catch

Rainbow trout
Main fish of the tailwater; very high numbers in the Craig section.
Brown trout
Fewer than rainbows; fall is a good time for big browns on streamers. Only 1 brown may be kept.
Mountain whitefish
Common; FWP says whitefish numbers may have dropped and is monitoring them.
Walleye
Present; 10 daily and 20 in possession from Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam.
Northern pike
Established since about 2018; no limit from Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam.
Burbot (ling)
Listed by FWP as a game fish of interest; more common downstream of Ulm.
Carp
Fly fishing for carp is growing on this river.

Month by month

January	Midges (sizes 20-26); small nymphs and streamers. Few other anglers.
February	Midges; blue-winged olives (BWO) start mid-month.
March	BWO and midges; Skwala stoneflies start late in the month. New Montana license year starts Mar 1.
April	BWO and Skwalas; caddis start mid-month. Busy season (April-October) begins.
May	Caddis and BWO; pale morning duns (PMD) start late month. Watch spring runoff flows.
June	PMD, caddis, yellow sallies. Mid-June to mid-July is the best dry-fly stretch.
July	PMD and caddis; tricos begin; hoppers from mid-month. Watch for hoot-owl restrictions in hot, low water.
August	Tricos, hoppers, ants and beetles. Check for drought restrictions.
September	BWO, tricos, caddis, mahogany duns; hoppers through mid-month.
October	BWO, midges, mahogany duns; streamers for pre-spawn browns.
November	Midges and BWO; streamers and small nymphs.
December	Midges; small nymphs and streamers.

Tips

Most Montana anglers need a Conservation License, a Fishing License, and an AIS Prevention Pass (age 16 and over).
You need a valid Conservation License (age 12 and over) just to use an FWP fishing access site.
Know the trout limit for this stretch: 3 daily and in possession, only 1 over 18 inches, and only 1 brown trout.
Some upper river access depends on private landowners; respect posted land and use the marked walk-in sites.
In hot, dry summers check FWP for hoot-owl (2pm to midnight) closures; FWP may restrict this stretch if the river hits 73 F for three days in a row.

Rules and license

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Central Fishing District) · Official rules page ↗

License: Conservation License plus Fishing License; AIS Prevention Pass for anglers 16 and over. Check current fees with FWP.
Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam trout limit: 3 daily and in possession, only 1 over 18 inches, only 1 brown trout.
Walleye: 10 daily and 20 in possession (Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam). Northern pike: no limit.
Rivers and streams: 1 line with no more than 2 hooks, attended and in your control.
Live fish may not be used as bait in the Central District except on listed waters (this stretch is not listed).
Pallid sturgeon: all waters closed to fishing for them; release immediately.
FWP can set emergency hoot-owl restrictions or closures in drought; check before you go.
Montana fishing season and license year run March 1 through the end of February.

Rules change. Always check the official page before you fish.

Boat ramps and marinas

The map above shows 3 boat ramps and 0 marinas from OpenStreetMap. Tap any dot for directions.

Sources

Checked October 2026. BigJoe does not invent facts: every number on this page comes from the sources listed above.