Fishing in Western Montana + Glacier National Park

Fishing

Cast a Line
in Western Montana

Cast a Line
in Western Montana

Note: As of July 1, 2023, Conservation Licenses are required for everyone age 12 and older to access most state lands, including wildlife management areas, fishing access sites and wildlife habitat protection areas. This requirement does not include state parks. Please recreate responsibly. Learn more here.

To put it bluntly, our fishing is incredible. Western Montana has some of the most pristine, undisturbed waters nature has to offer. Our rivers, lakes and blue-ribbon trout streams provide competitive fishing for the serious angler and easily accessible options for the casual fisherman. And no matter where you choose to cast your line, you can be assured our riffles, runs, pools and seams are set among some of the wildest and most beautiful country in North America.

For starters, fly-fish the Blackfoot River—made famous by Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs Through It”—as it winds west before joining the Clark Fork River. The Clark Fork runs through the heart of downtown Missoula. Simply grab a rod and head down to the river’s edge. Or try the fishable waters of the Middle Fork of the Flathead as it makes its way through deep, quiet canyons with Glacier National Park peaks in the background. And if you're looking to fish in an even quieter part of the region, head to Lincoln County and cast your line in the Kootenai River.

In addition to world-class fly-fishing, we also have some of the most experienced, professional and friendly fishing guides and outfitters around, ready to take you to their favorite fishing hole, help you land your trophy trout and make your excursion as enjoyable as possible.

For more information on Outfitters and Guides, visit montanaoutfitters.org.

For more information on Montana fishing regulations and how to apply for a fishing license, visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Download the MyFWP app, a simple, easy way to store and display your fishing license when you’re on the water.

River Map

Use our River Map to find lakes, rivers and reservoirs in Western Montana as well as fishing access sites, including directions, amenities and more.


More Information


Techniques and Tackle

Float Fishing

Motorboats


Seasons

Fishing Etiquette

Montana's Trespass Law


Stream Access

Tagged Fish

Releasing Fish


Aquatic Invasive Species

Do's & Don'ts

Noxious Weeds

Featured Listings

Adventure Missoula
39 Juniper Lane
Alberton, MT 59820
406.813.0595
Directions
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Angler's Roost
815 U.S. Highway 93 S.
Hamilton, MT 59840
406.363.1268
Directions
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Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge
150 Flathead Lodge Road
Bigfork, MT 59911
406.837.4391
Directions
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Dog Creek Lodge + Nordic Ski Center
8775 U.S. Highway 93 N.
Olney, MT 59927
406.881.2071
Directions
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Flathead Lake Monster Charters
Hidden Harbor in Woods Bay
Bigfork, MT 59911
406.314.8304
Directions
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Glacier Anglers & Outfitters
12400 U.S. Highway 2 E.
West Glacier, MT 59936
406-888-5454
Directions
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Glacier Guides and Montana Raft
11970 U.S. Highway 2
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.387.5555 | 800.521.7238
Directions
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Glacier Park Rafting
12127 U.S. Highway 2 E., Suite A
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.888.8754 | 800.735.7897
Directions
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Great Northern Fly Fishing Guides
12127 U.S. Highway 2 E., Suite A
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.888.8754 | 800.735.7897
Directions
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Great Northern Resort & Whitewater Rafting
12127 U.S. Highway 2 E.
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.387.5340 | 800.735.7897
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Hooked on Montana
5463 U.S. Highway 93
Somers, MT 59932
406.885.0105
Directions
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Kootenai Angler, Cabins and River Bend Restaurant
13546 State Highway 37
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.7578 | 800.322.9339
Directions
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Rich Ranch
939 Cottonwood Lakes Road
Seeley Lake, Montana 59868
800.532.4350
Directions
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Snowy Springs Outfitters Inc.
15600 U.S. Highway 2 E.
Essex, MT 59916
406.226.9225
Directions
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Swan Mountain Outfitters
12000 U.S. Highway 2 E.
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.387.4405 | 877.888.5557
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The Ranch at Rock Creek
79 Carriage House Lane
Philipsburg, MT 59858
406.859.6027
Directions
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Wild River Adventures
11900 U.S. Highway 2 E.
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.387.9453
Directions
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Wild Trout Adventures
12946 Trinkus Lane
Bigfork, MT 59911
406.837.3838
Directions
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Other Listings

Alberton Orchards
1022 Sawmill Gulch Road
Alberton, MT 59820
(406) 380-3308
Bagley Guide Service
171 Terrace Hill
Bigfork, MT 59911
406.837.3618
Bear Creek Guest Ranch
15750 U.S. Highway 2
Essex, MT 59916
406-226-4489
Big Sky Fishing Charters
180 Vista Lane
Bigfork, MT 59911
406.270.1649
Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitters
Monture Trailhead
Ovando, MT 59854
406-321-0984
Cheff Ranch & Legacy Outfitters LLC
30888 Eagle Pass Trail
Charlo, MT 59824
406.644.2557
Clark Fork Trout
715 State Highway 135
St. Regis, MT 59866
406.382.0161
Glacier Tourbase

Whitefish, MT 59937
406.200.8325
Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop
215 W. Front St.
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 721-8996
Koocanusa Resort and Marina
23911 State Highway 37
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.7474
Kootenai River Fishing Charters LLC
406.293.5311
Kootenai River Outfitters
Corner of U.S. Highway 2 and State Highway 56
Troy, MT 59935
406.295.9444
Mills Wilderness Adventures of MT
1 Hogan St.
Augusta, MT 59410
406.562.3576
Montana's Duck Lake Lodge
325 Duck Lake Road
Babb, MT 59411
406.338.5770
Shoo Fly Fishing Co.
1010 E. Missoula Ave.
Troy, MT 59935
406.295.8405
Silver Bow Outfitters
500 E. Fisher Road
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.4868
State of Mind Fishing Charters LLC
Flathead + Whitefish Lakes
Kalispell, MT 59901
406.360.5411
The Meadows on Rock Creek
100 Hideaway Trail
Philipsburg, MT 59858
406.564.2883
Whispering Pines
205 Muley Road
Lakeside, MT 59922
406.407.0881
News from Glacier National Park Currently, 17 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are open for travel.