Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Montana

A hard-fighting bass of clear rivers and rocky natural lakes, from the Great Lakes to Tennessee. Smallmouth love crayfish and gobies.

Waters: 2
State: Montana
Water: Freshwater
Methods: Fly, Spin & Bait

Prime Months in Montana: No Agency Season Found

What to Use for Smallmouth Bass

Fishing In

Smallmouth Bass

No agency season found

Fly

9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 6 wt Fly RodCheck Price
ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 6 or 7 weightCheck Price
LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 6 or 7 wt.Check Price

Tie On in November

Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.

Fly for October · #2/0-6Clouser MinnowSee Options
Fly for October · #6-10Crayfish FlySee Options

Spin / Cast

7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodSt. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod · 7 ft 0 in, medium, fast, 6 to 12 lb line, 1 pieceCheck Price
ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · 2500Check Price
LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 8 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

Lure for November · 2.5 to 3 inNed Rig · Z-Man Ned Rig KitCheck Price
Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitCheck Price
Lure for November · 2.75 to 3.5 inTube Jig · Strike King Tube JigsCheck Price

Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.

Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Also Worth Packing

Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.

Check Price Maker's Page

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Licenses & Regulations

Most anglers need a Montana fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Where to Catch Smallmouth Bass

2 of 2 waters

Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain

Lakes & Reservoirs · Montana

Fort Peck Lake

A Missouri River reservoir about 130 miles long, with walleye, northern pike, and lake trout.

Smallmouth Bass: no agency season found here

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Photo: Roger Peterson, U.S. Forest Service, Public domain

Rivers & Streams · Montana

Missouri River (Upper Missouri Breaks)

Part of the Missouri River

The Missouri River through BLM's Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, a float from Fort Benton past Coal Banks and Judith Landing to the James Kipp Recreation Area, where common sportfish include walleye, sauger, northern pike, channel catfish and smallmouth bass.

Smallmouth Bass: no agency season found here

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