Missouri River

The Missouri River begins near the town of Three Forks, formed by the confluence of the Gallatin River, the Jefferson River and the Madison River. From its origin, it travels for more than seven hundred miles across the entire length of Montana. Unlike the similarly long Yellowstone River, the Missouri River has numerous dams and diversions. More than two hundred miles of its length is composed of various reservoirs and lakes, particularly the massive Fort Peck Lake in the Montana Hi-Line region of northeast Montana.
Soon after its origin, the Missouri River flows over Totson Dam. This is not a dam in the strictest sense, as it does not regulate river flows. Instead, during high water, water flows over the top of the dam, thus releasing the warmer surface water into the river below – which is not ideal for trout habitat.

Fishing the Missouri

The Missouri River runs for more than seven hundred miles in Montana, and for the angler contemplating a visit to Montana to fish the Missouri River, trying to figure out the best place to fish can seem overwhelming. Thankfully, this problem is easily solved. Only a couple of small sections of the Missouri River offer trout fishing, and only one section, between Holter Dam and Cascade, offers prime trout fishing waters.
Longer floats on the Missouri River, at least in its upper stretch, can be a difficult due to all the dams and reservoirs. The river is frequently slow and generally runs through windy terrain. In its lower stretches, particularly in the one hundred fifty miles above Fort Peck Lake, floats on the Missouri River are unique and well worth the effort. The main problem on this stretch is access and remoteness. Arranging for portages is a difficult and time-consuming process.
Floating is not an option on Fort Peck Lake. The lake is too big to paddle across, and the wind can be exceptionally strong at times. Several access points are available for take-out just above Fort Peck Lake.
Below Fort Peck Dam, the Missouri River flows without interruption to the North Dakota border and then to the confluence with the Yellowstone River. Its flows are generally slow to moderate, with no rapids. Access is limited. The country is remote. And the use of the river for fishing or floating is low by any standard.