Missouri River Fishing Report
Our Missouri River fishing report comes to you straight from our experience on the water. We are on the Missouri River fly fishing daily during the season and have the tips, tactics, and fly selections to help you catch fish. Stay up-to-date with the Missouri River fishing report straight from our Montana fly shop.
QUALITY RATING
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March 14, 2026
CURRENT REPORT
It's still winter "over the hill" on the Mighty MO', yet anglers are starting to notice signs of spring as conditions improve. Flows are cold and clear coming out of Holter Dam near Craig, making now a great time to hone in on subsurface fishing tactics. Midges and BWOs on the horizon there.
Nymphing is certainly the name of the game on the MO'. Most of the pressure is concentrated near the dam, as anglers search for more consistent water temperatures in dynamic winter weather.
Scuds and sowbugs are king on the Missouri this time of year–– rainbow or tan with pink/hot orange seems to be the go-to in sizes #14-18. Some of our favorites are the Epoxy Back Sow, Soft Hackle Sow, Ray Charles and the Get Down Sow.
Zebra midges in natural colors like black, olive and brown a solid second option, too. The Tailwater Tiny, WD-40, Psycho Mays also producing.
Worms and small beadhead nymphs or perdigons are also producing: sometimes a small, heavy and flashy nymph that sinks quick is the difference between a good day and a great day this time of year.
Some small dry-fly windows presenting themselves now with midges in the afternoon. Long, fine leaders are needed for these picky winter risers. Our go-to midge patterns include Hanging Midges, Midge Clusters and RS2s in sizes #16-20.
Swinging and stripping streamers also producing some big winter trout. Kreelex and Sparkle Minnows, Goldies, Peanut Enviews and other heavy, quick-sinking flashy streamers will produce fish. Focus on the slower, soft seams, tailouts and buckets this time of year for productive streamer and nymph fishing.
Looking Forward
Spring is our favorite season on the Missouri River. Great hatches await us– for now, take andvantage of the early season fishing windows to catch hungry fish and enjoy some solitude on the river–– cheers!
FEATURED FLIES
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MISSOURI RIVER Conditions
Know before you go! Understand current Missouri River flows, temperature, and conditions before hitting the water.
Missouri River FLOWS
Missouri River Temperature
Craig, MT WEATHER FORECAST
See the Missouri River fishing report weather forecast for the next 7-days. For more information on the forecast or detailed weather data, please visit NOAA Weather Data – Craig, Montana.
