Species / Rainbow Trout / Montana
Trout & Salmon
Rainbow Trout Fishing in Montana
The most widely stocked game fish in the country, found in cold rivers, tailwaters, and mountain lakes. Rainbows feed heavily on insects and eat dries, nymphs, and small lures.
Best Months: Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov
Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Rainbow Trout
12 picks for October.
Parachute Adams #12-20
FlyDry Fly
Shop This FlyBlue-Winged Olive #16-22
FlyDry Fly · Overcast days.
Shop This FlyPheasant Tail Nymph #14-20
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyHare's Ear Nymph #12-18
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyPat's Rubber Legs #4-10
FlyNymph
Shop This FlySan Juan Worm #10-14
FlyNymph · After rain.
Shop This FlyEgg Pattern #8-16
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyWoolly Bugger #2-10
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlyInline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz
LureSpinner
Shop This LureCasting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz
LureSpoon
Shop This LureNightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Where bait is legal.
Trout Dough Bait Pea size
BaitPrepared Bait · Stocked lakes.
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Rod & Reel
Rainbow Trout Setup
Rainbow Trout
Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Spin / Cast 6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Montana
Where to Catch Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Beaverhead River
A narrow, brushy tailwater below Clark Canyon Dam known for large trout.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Big Hole River
A freestone river in southwest Montana with a famous salmonfly hatch and native Arctic grayling.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Bighorn River
A tailwater below Yellowtail Dam at Fort Smith with some of the highest trout densities in the West.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Bitterroot River
Wide, wadeable valley river south of Missoula with heavy caddis and stonefly hatches.
Rainbow trout · Brown trout · Bull trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Blackfoot River
The river of A River Runs Through It, with native westslope cutthroat.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Clark Fork River
A big western Montana river through Missoula with strong dry fly fishing.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Gallatin River
A fast, scenic freestone through Gallatin Canyon near Bozeman and Big Sky.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Madison River
Fifty-mile riffle famous for salmonfly hatches and wild browns and rainbows below Hebgen and Quake Lakes.
Brown trout · Rainbow trout · Mountain whitefish
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Missouri River
Tailwater below Holter Dam from Wolf Creek to Cascade, plus the big trout of the Hauser to Holter reach.
Brown trout · Rainbow trout · Walleye
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Yellowstone River
Longest free-flowing river in the lower 48. Paradise Valley floats, big dries, and native cutthroat upstream.
Yellowstone cutthroat · Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Montana
Shops to Stock Up
Bass Pro Shops
Billings, Montana
The fishing department carries conventional tackle, bait, fly-fishing gear and ice-fishing equipment.
Recommended
Gear for Rainbow Trout
Bait
Berkley PowerBait Trout Dough
Floating scented dough for stocked trout in lakes.
Check PriceFly Rods
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod
A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.
Check PriceFly Rods
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.
Check PriceFly Reels
Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.
Check PriceFly Lines
RIO Gold Fly Line
A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.
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Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line
A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet
Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Tapered Trout Leaders
Nine foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X for dries and nymphs.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.
Check PriceNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
Check PriceSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
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