Missouri River 
Tributary of Out-of-state.
(River Mile: 1587 to 2312)
Launch Interactive Map
America's longest river gets it's start in Montana near the town of Three Forks. Right from the start the Missouri is running big and wide on it's long journey across North America to join the Mississippi over 2300 miles away. The swift currents of late spring and summer make it a popular river for floaters. The land the Missouri slides by has substantially the same appearance as when it was explored by the Lewis and Clark expedition over two centuries ago.
Total Length: 726 miles
FWP Region: Region 3,
Region 4,
Region 6
Fishing District: Central Fishing District,
Eastern Fishing District
Species Present
- Game Fish Opportunities:
-
Black Crappie, Brown Trout, Burbot, Channel Catfish, Lake Whitefish, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Paddlefish, Rainbow Trout, Sauger, Shovelnose Sturgeon, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch
- All Species Present:
-
Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Crappie, Blue Sucker, Brassy Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Burbot, Channel Catfish, Chinook Salmon, Cisco, Common Carp, Emerald Shiner, Fathead Minnow, Flathead Chub, Freshwater Drum, Goldeye, Kokanee, Lake Chub, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Largemouth Bass, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Minnow, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Sucker, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Northern Redbelly Dace, Paddlefish, Pallid Sturgeon, Pumpkinseed, Rainbow Smelt, Rainbow Trout, River Carpsucker, Sand Shiner, Sauger, Sauger X Walleye Hybrid, Sauger/Walleye, Sculpin, Shorthead Redhorse, Shortnose Gar, Shovelnose Sturgeon, Sicklefin Chub, Smallmouth Bass, Smallmouth Buffalo, Spottail Shiner, Stonecat, Sturgeon Chub, Walleye, Western Silvery Minnow, Western Silvery/Plains Minnow, White Crappie, White Sucker, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead
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 or special regulations. Until you identify your
catch, please handle all fish carefully. Thank you.
Fishing Regulations
Fish Consumption Advisory in effect. (
Read More).
- Standard Fishing Regulations for the Central Fishing District, Eastern Fishing District
- The standard fishing regulations for the fishing district(s) apply. Please check your copy of the regulations, or visit the site(s) linked above for more information.
- Exceptions to Standard Regulations
- Entire River
-
Snagging: it is illegal to snag for fish other than paddlefish on the Missouri River downstream from Fort Benton.
-
Open entire year.
-
Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout.
- Toston Dam To Canyon Ferry Reservoir
-
Localized spawning areas closed as posted from March 1 through June 15.
-
Combined Trout: catch-and-release for brown trout between 18 and 24 inches.
-
Walleye: 20 daily and 40 in possession.
- Upstream From Fort Peck Dam To Fort Benton
-
Sauger/Walleye: 5 daily, only 1 may be a sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 2 may be sauger.
-
Paddlefish snagging: open to harvesting paddlefish from May 1 to June 15 (unless closed earlier by FWP) from 6 AM to 9 PM daily. An unused white paddlefish tag is required to harvest a paddlefish. All paddlefish captured must either be tagged and kept, or released immediately. See Eastern District Standard Regulations for additional important paddlefish information.
-
Catch-and-release snagging for paddlefish is open from May 1 to June 15. Proof of purchase of a white paddlefish tag on your fishing license is required for catch-and-release fishing. All paddlefish must be released immediately and may not be gaffed or lifted out of the water. Captured fish must remain at least partially submerged in water at all times.
- Canyon Ferry Reservoir
-
See Canyon Ferry Reservoir regulations.
- Downstream From Fort Peck Dam
-
Paddlefish snagging: open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays May 15 through June 30 from 6 AM to 9 PM daily, unless closed to harvest earlier by FWP. An unused yellow paddlefish tag is required to fish for paddlefish. The tag must be properly placed on the first paddlefish caught and landed. See Eastern District Standard Regulations for additional important paddlefish information.
-
Catch-and-release snagging for paddlefish is not permitted.
- Downstream From Canyon Ferry Dam To Hauser Reservoir
-
See Hauser Reservoir regulations.
- Fort Peck Dam To The Mouth Of The Milk River
-
Hook and Line/Setlines: 2 lines with 2 hooks per line on open water and 6 lines with 6 hooks per line through the ice.
-
Combined Trout: 2 rainbow trout daily and in possession.
- Downstream From Fort Peck Dam Near Duck Island As Posted
-
Closed from March 1 through July 31 to fishing and wading as posted.
- Hauser Dam To American Bar Gulch (Approx. 4.6 Miles Downstream From Hauser Dam)
-
Combined Trout: Standard river/stream limits apply, except catch-and-release for brown trout.
-
Walleye: 6 daily and in possession, includes 5 under 20 inches and 1 over 28 inches.
- Downstream From American Bar Gulch To Holter Reservoir
-
See Holter Reservoir regulations.
- Holter Dam To Mouth Of Dearborn River
-
Combined Trout: 1 rainbow trout (any size) daily and in possession and 1 brown trout (22-inch minimum) daily and in possession.
- Craig Bridge To Sheep Creek Bridge
-
Spearing: open for up to 5 whitefish daily with rubber or spring-propelled spears by persons swimming or submerged.
- Mouth Of Dearborn River To Cascade Bridge
-
Combined Trout: 3 rainbow trout daily and in possession, only 1 over 16 inches and 1 brown trout daily and in possession, 22-inch minimum.
- Morony Dam To Fort Benton
-
Sauger/Walleye: 5 daily, only 1 may be a sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 2 may be sauger. All fish must be kept whole, gills and entrails may be removed, until you are off the water and done fishing for the day. See Standard Regulations for transport requirements.
-
Hook and Line/Setlines: 6 lines with 6 hooks per line all year.
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. |
Exceptions to Standard Boating Regulations for Missouri River
| Regulation |
Description & Exceptions |
Closed to all motorboats
|
Fishing Access Ponds |
Fishing Access Sites
- Fairweather
River Mile: 2301
- The nearest put in site is at Headwaters State Park approx. 8 miles upstream. Toston Dam lies downstream of Fairweather FAS and before you get to Toston FAS. You can portage around the Dam with hand-carry watercraft.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
853 acre(s).
- Toston
River Mile: 2285
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
41 acre(s).
- Yorks Islands
River Mile: 2276
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
22 acre(s).
- Wolf Creek Bridge
River Mile: 2200
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
- Craig
River Mile: 2194
-
- Potable water in summer.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
3 acre(s).
- Stickney Creek
River Mile: 2190
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
1 acre(s).
- Spite Hill
River Mile: 2190
-
- Limited access for trailers and RV's.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
13 acre(s).
- Dearborn
River Mile: 2188
-
- Carry in boat launch only. Limited access for trailers and RV's. Large RV's not recommended.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
1 acre(s).
- Eagle Island
River Mile: 2187
-
- Natural area, island in river, undeveloped.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
22 acre(s).
- Mid Canon
River Mile: 2187
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
9 acre(s).
- Devils Kitchen
River Mile: 2184
-
- Not signed.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
- Mountain Palace
River Mile: 2181
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
- Hardy Bridge
River Mile: 2180
-
- Access to river requires crossing RR tracks.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
15 acre(s).
- Prewett Creek
River Mile: 2179
-
- Limited access for trailers and RV's.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
30 acre(s).
- Pelican Point
River Mile: 2176
-
- Gravel boat launch.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
94 acre(s).
- Wing Dam
River Mile: 2165
-
- Must cross railroad tracks to access river.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
10 acre(s).
- Dunes
River Mile: 2147
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
61 acre(s).
- Ulm Bridge
River Mile: 2143
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
163 acre(s).
- Big Bend
River Mile: 2123
-
- Limited access for trailers and RV's.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
17 acre(s).
- White Bear
River Mile: 2118
-
- Natural area, unsigned, no vehicle access.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
53 acre(s).
- Giant Springs State Park
River Mile: 2108
-
- Set aside a whole afternoon at this historic freshwater springs site, discovered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805 and one of the largest freshwater springs in the world, flowing at a measured 156 million gallons of water per day! This day-use park gives you an opportunity to picnic by the Missouri River, visit the fish hatchery and visitor center, walk along the Rivers Edge Trail, view nearby Rainbow Falls overlook, or visit the neighboring Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center operated by the U.S. Forest Service.
To learn more about Giant Springs State Park, read Gushing Over Giant Springs, 2005 Montana Outdoors article.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
675 acre(s).
- Widow Coulee
River Mile: 2093
-
-
Open all season.
- Carter Ferry
River Mile: 2081
-
- Gravel boat ramp is next to County operated ferry.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
21 acre(s).
- School Trust
River Mile: 1760
-
- Limited access for RV's and trailers.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
2 acre(s).
- Lewis and Clark
River Mile: 1700
-
- Open 6 am to 10 pm. Overnight camping scheduled to re-open summer 2006.
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
40 acre(s).
- Culbertson Bridge
River Mile: 1620
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
11 acre(s).
- Snowden Bridge
River Mile: 1590
-
-
Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
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.
Click here to learn more.
Fishing Pressure
N Dakota Border to Milk River (River Mile: 1,587 to 1,762)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
2,424 |
44 |
165 |
10 |
| 2003 |
2,815 |
57 |
153 |
8 |
| 2001 |
2,017 |
34 |
178 |
12 |
| 1999 |
5,529 |
123 |
114 |
5 |
Milk River to Fort Peck Dam (River Mile: 1,680 to 1,762)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
6,165 |
110 |
98 |
7 |
| 2003 |
1,644 |
38 |
208 |
12 |
| 2001 |
5,200 |
107 |
104 |
5 |
| 1999 |
2,765 |
71 |
161 |
9 |
Ft Peck Res to Blain/Chout Co Line (River Mile: 1,893 to 1,973)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
16,587 |
378 |
41 |
2 |
| 2003 |
19,657 |
475 |
33 |
2 |
| 2001 |
11,740 |
342 |
53 |
2 |
| 1999 |
19,527 |
496 |
39 |
2 |
Blain/Chout Co Line to Marias River (River Mile: 1,973 to 2,044)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
5,723 |
108 |
103 |
19 |
| 2003 |
7,499 |
181 |
81 |
14 |
| 2001 |
6,896 |
142 |
83 |
13 |
| 1999 |
11,491 |
285 |
64 |
10 |
Marias River to Morony Dam (River Mile: 2,044 to 2,100)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
9,022 |
160 |
70 |
10 |
| 2003 |
6,094 |
135 |
97 |
17 |
| 2001 |
16,686 |
338 |
38 |
6 |
| 1999 |
16,861 |
381 |
45 |
7 |
Morony Dam to Cascade Bridge (River Mile: 2,100 to 2,167)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
18,973 |
328 |
37 |
6 |
| 2003 |
20,368 |
459 |
31 |
5 |
| 2001 |
24,681 |
476 |
28 |
5 |
| 1999 |
26,447 |
624 |
27 |
4 |
Cascade Bridge to Holter Dam (River Mile: 2,167 to 2,202)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
93,229 |
1,610 |
2 |
1 |
| 2003 |
106,447 |
2,245 |
2 |
1 |
| 2001 |
123,472 |
2,500 |
1 |
1 |
| 1999 |
111,203 |
2,527 |
3 |
1 |
Holter Lake to Hauser Dam (River Mile: 2,207 to 2,229)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
25,705 |
360 |
24 |
5 |
| 2003 |
22,175 |
441 |
30 |
4 |
| 2001 |
29,959 |
594 |
21 |
4 |
| 1999 |
25,959 |
598 |
28 |
5 |
Hauser Lake to Canyon Ferry Dam (River Mile: 2,240 to 2,244)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
4,162 |
98 |
121 |
25 |
Canyon Ferry Res to Toston Dam (River Mile: 2,270 to 2,289)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
2,594 |
50 |
158 |
32 |
| 2003 |
7,510 |
135 |
79 |
23 |
| 2001 |
7,159 |
125 |
81 |
20 |
| 1999 |
3,882 |
91 |
133 |
28 |
Toston Dam to Headwaters (River Mile: 2,289 to 2,312)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2005 |
1,738 |
31 |
199 |
39 |
| 2003 |
1,413 |
31 |
219 |
47 |
| 2001 |
3,837 |
47 |
127 |
28 |
| 1999 |
2,005 |
53 |
199 |
39 |
| 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, 2006 |
Walleye |
3.5 |
500 |
| Jul, 2006 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
9.1 |
907 |
| Jun, 2006 |
Walleye |
1.7 |
273,366 |
| May, 2006 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
10 |
717 |
| May, 2006 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
10 |
347 |
| Apr, 2006 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
6 |
476 |
| Apr, 2006 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
6.3 |
1,364 |
| Apr, 2006 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
8 |
1,734 |
| Apr, 2006 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
5.7 |
125 |
| Apr, 2006 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
8 |
1,641 |
| Oct, 2005 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
5 |
4,342 |
| Oct, 2005 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
3.8 |
1,484 |
| Oct, 2005 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
3 |
1,264 |
| Aug, 2005 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
12.4 |
69 |
| Aug, 2005 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
12.1 |
59 |
| Aug, 2005 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
11.9 |
126 |
| Apr, 2005 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
5 |
537 |
| Apr, 2005 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
5 |
508 |
| Aug, 2004 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
8.4 |
878 |
| Aug, 2004 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
10 |
1,500 |
| Aug, 2004 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
10 |
1,555 |
| Jul, 2004 |
Shovelnose Sturgeon |
.3 |
22,500 |
| Jun, 2004 |
Shovelnose Sturgeon |
.3 |
50,000 |
| Apr, 2004 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
3.7 |
821 |
| Aug, 2003 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
5.5 |
1,086 |
| Aug, 2003 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
8.5 |
2,433 |
| Jul, 2002 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
8 |
742 |
| Jul, 2002 |
Walleye |
1.5 |
9,992 |
| Jul, 2002 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
8 |
2,061 |
| Jun, 2002 |
Sauger |
1.6 |
23,823 |
| Jun, 2002 |
Arctic Grayling |
5.8 |
5,810 |
| Jun, 2001 |
Walleye |
1.3 |
10,000 |
| Oct, 2000 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
8 |
248 |
| Sep, 2000 |
Rainbow Trout |
9.4 |
665 |
| Aug, 2000 |
Rainbow Trout |
8.8 |
5,000 |
| Jul, 2000 |
Rainbow Trout |
7.9 |
13,735 |
| Jun, 2000 |
Arctic Grayling |
6.8 |
21,160 |
| Aug, 1999 |
Smallmouth Bass |
1.8 |
20,000 |
| Jul, 1999 |
Rainbow Trout |
7.5 |
11,822 |
| Jun, 1999 |
Walleye |
1.7 |
10,000 |
| Jun, 1999 |
Rainbow Trout |
6.6 |
1,500 |
| Sep, 1998 |
Rainbow Trout |
9.8 |
237 |
| Aug, 1998 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
17.7 |
250 |
| Aug, 1998 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
8 |
460 |
| Aug, 1998 |
Pallid Sturgeon |
8 |
230 |
| Aug, 1998 |
Rainbow Trout |
8.8 |
6,181 |
| Jul, 1998 |
Largemouth Bass |
1.8 |
486 |
| Jul, 1998 |
Smallmouth Bass |
1.8 |
20,000 |
| Jul, 1998 |
Rainbow Trout |
8.2 |
3,500 |
| Jun, 1998 |
Walleye |
1.5 |
10,000 |
| Jun, 1998 |
Brown Trout |
2.3 |
36,960 |
| May, 1998 |
Brown Trout |
2 |
25,312 |
Gauging Stations
- Missouri River at Toston MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 2,288
- CANYON FERRY LAKE NEAR HELENA, MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 2,244
- Missouri River bl Hauser Lake nr Helena MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 2,229
- Missouri River bl Holter Dam nr Wolf Cr MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 2,202
- Missouri River near Ulm MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 2,132
- Missouri River near Great Falls MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 2,097
- Missouri River at Fort Benton MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 2,065
- Missouri River at Virgelle MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 2,027
- Missouri River near Landusky MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 1,915
- Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 1,760
- Missouri River near Wolf Point MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 1,700
- Missouri River near Culbertson MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 1,620
Click Here to learn how to use this guide.
