Jefferson River 
Tributary of Missouri River.
(River Mile: 0 to 77)
Launch Interactive Map
The Jefferson River originates at the junction of the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers, near Twin Bridges, Montana, and runs northeasterly 77 miles to Three Forks, where it joins the Madison and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River. In its upper reach, the Jefferson meanders widely through a grassy valley between the Continental Divide on the west and the Tobacco Root Mountains on the east. Near Whitehall, approximately halfway along its course, the Jefferson turns east away from the mountains. It cuts deeply through a high, semi-arid plain to flow past rocky cliffs, sagebrush, and native grasses. From its confluence with the Boulder River near Cardwell to Missouri Headwaters State Park, the Jefferson is primarily confined to a single channel, except near Three Forks. There it braids, forming many islands and side channels in a rich bottomland. The Jefferson River is extensively used as a source of irrigation water and is subject to severe dewatering in low-water years. The Ruby and Clark Canyon reservoirs, which impound major upstream tributaries of the Jefferson, affect the river’s flow pattern. The river itself challenges floodplain developments with its natural tendency to migrate. In addition to fishing, the Jefferson River and its floodplain provide opportunities for waterfowl hunting, trapping, floating, sightseeing and asparagus picking.
Total Length: 77 miles
FWP Region: Region 3
Fishing District: Central Fishing District
Species Present
- Game Fish Opportunities:
-
Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout
- All Species Present:
-
Brown Trout, Burbot, Common Carp, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Sucker, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Redside Shiner, White Sucker
NOTE: There may be game fish present (including
Species of Concern) that are not listed in the game fish category due
to low numbers for that fish. Until you identify your catch, please handle all fish carefully. Thank you.
Fishing Regulations
View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.
Boating Regulations
Standard Boating Regulations for the State of Montana
Exceptions to Standard Boating Regulations by County
*Applies to all rivers & streams
| County |
Regulation |
Description & Exceptions |
| Broadwater |
Closed to motorboats over 10 HP
|
Exception: Missouri River down river from Broadwater-Gallatin county line. |
| Gallatin |
Closed to all motorboats
|
|
| Gallatin |
Closed to motorboats over 10 HP
|
Exception: Missouri River down river from Headwaters State Park. |
| Jefferson |
Closed to motorboats over 10 HP
|
|
| Madison |
Closed to motorboats over 10 HP
|
|
| Silver Bow |
Closed to motorboats over 10 HP
|
|
Fishing Access Sites
- Hell's Canyon
River Mile: 71
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
4 acre(s).
- Silver Star
River Mile: 66
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
24 acre(s).
- Parrot Castle
River Mile: 50
-
- Primitive site; slough "Ford", difficult to drive to river.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
33 acre(s).
- Kountz Bridge
River Mile: 44
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
38 acre(s).
- Mayflower Bridge
River Mile: 40
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
21 acre(s).
- Cardwell Bridge
River Mile: 36
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
6 acre(s).
- Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
River Mile: 30
-
- Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Brochure
Montana's first and best-known state park showcases one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest. Naturally air conditioned, these spectacular caves, lined with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites, date back through time. See the geologic development, the history of early exploration and gain an insight into the delicate ecology of this world without light.
It's always a great time to explore the colorful limestone formations with a knowledgeable and friendly guide. While you're at the park, you might also want to hike or bike the extensive trail system, attend an interpretive program, or purchase a unique item in the gift shop.
While the park trails, rental cabins, and campground are open year-round, tours of the caverns are only available only from May 1 through September 30. Plan to spend a minimum of two hours to hike two miles on a guided tour through the caverns. The park also provides hiking trails, a visitor center, an amphitheater, several picnic areas, a large campground, showers, RV dump facilities, tipi, and three rental cabins. You can use this park as a “base camp” while you enjoy several nearby state parks, attractions, and the adjacent Jefferson River.
Read more about this park in "Wonderground", a Montana Outdoors 2004 article.
Limespur
River Mile: 29
-
- Part of the Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park management area.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
107 acre(s).
- Sappington Bridge
River Mile: 22
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
8 acre(s).
- Williams' Bridge
River Mile: 19
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
2 acre(s).
- Drouillard
River Mile: 8
-
- The next take out point is 8 miles downstream at Headwaters State Park.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
41 acre(s).
NOTE: All river Fishing Access Sites (FAS) are listed in descending order by river mile from
headwaters to mouth. The mouth of a stream is its confluence with another body of water and is
considered mile 0.
Fishing Pressure
Mouth to Headwaters (River Mile: 0 to 77)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2007 |
8,780 |
137 |
60 |
17 |
| 2005 |
9,120 |
159 |
69 |
20 |
| 2003 |
7,850 |
189 |
75 |
21 |
| 2001 |
6,994 |
185 |
82 |
21 |
| 1999 |
17,346 |
392 |
43 |
14 |
| ¹ Estimated yearly fishing use in angler days (one angler fishing one body of water in one day for any amount of time). |
| ² The number of times that a section of water was reported as having been fished (used to estimate the number of "Days Fished"). |
| ³ How this section of water ranked among all surveyed sections in the state or region, based on "Days Fished" in a survey year. |
| |
Stocking Info
| Stocking |
|
Avg |
Number |
| Date |
Species |
Length (in) |
Stocked |
| Sep, 2003 |
Arctic Grayling |
2.8 |
8,160 |
| Jun, 2002 |
Arctic Grayling |
5.9 |
10,240 |
Gauging Stations
- Jefferson River near Twin Bridges MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 72
- Jefferson River near Three Forks MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 8
