Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Missouri River (Craig) Fishing Guide
Montana
The 35-mile tailwater below Holter Dam, from Wolf Creek past Craig to Cascade, which FWP calls one of Montana's premier trout fisheries, with wild rainbow and brown trout.
Part of the Missouri River.
Photo: Jet Lowe, Historic American Engineering Record via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Missouri River (Craig) for rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye and northern pike. In November, brown trout is prime, and Parachute Adams, Blue-Winged Olive and Pheasant Tail Nymph are a good place to start.
There are 4 shops nearby, including CrossCurrents Fly Shop in Craig.
Season at a Glance
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Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Walleye
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Northern Pike
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Agency: Montana FWPPrime From Water Temperature: measured at USGS gauge 06066500, set against FWS temperature ranges for Brown Trout (our reading)How We Read ItSpawning: Montana FWP (Brown Trout)
Season Rules & Licenses
- In hot, dry summers FWP may close Cascade to Holter Dam to fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight (hoot owl), or to all fishing; check FWP's current restrictions before you go. Montana FWP 2023-26
- Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam: 3 trout a day, only 1 over 18 inches and only 1 brown trout; walleye 10 daily and 20 in possession; northern pike no limit. Open all year. Montana FWP 2026
- In drought, FWP can close Montana rivers to fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight (hoot-owl restrictions) until the water cools; check FWP's current waterbody restrictions before a summer trip. Montana FWP 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Montana fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Parts of the Missouri River
- Main PageMissouri RiverThe Missouri River in Montana, from the trout tailwater below Holter Dam at Craig to the Upper Missouri River Breaks, where BLM lists walleye, sauger, northern pike, channel catfish and smallmouth bass.
- Rivers & Streams · Montana · You're HereMissouri River (Craig)The 35-mile tailwater below Holter Dam, from Wolf Creek past Craig to Cascade, which FWP calls one of Montana's premier trout fisheries, with wild rainbow and brown trout.
- Rivers & Streams · MontanaMissouri River (Upper Missouri Breaks)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.
Missouri River (Craig) Species
Rainbow Trout
Prime months for: Missouri River, Holter Dam to Cascade (FWP creel sections Holter, Craig, Prewett Creek, Pelican Point)
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Prime: Dec to Mar
View Species
Brown Trout
Prime NowJ
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Prime: May to Nov
Spawning: Sep to Nov, per Montana FWP
View Species
Walleye
No agency season found.
View Species
Northern Pike
No agency season found.
View SpeciesSpecies per Montana FWP.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November
Brown Trout
Prime Now · May to Nov
Fly
9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 5 or 6 wt.Check Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #4-8Sculpin StreamerLow light and fall.See Options
- Fly for November · #16-22Blue-Winged OliveSee Options
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
Spin / Cast
6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodUgly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod · 6 ft 6 in light, 4 to 10 lb, 2 pieceCheck Price
- ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · 2500Check Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 6 or 8 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck 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.
Buy Local
Shops near Missouri River (Craig):
- CrossCurrents Fly Shop, CraigWebsite
- The Trout Shop | Missouri River Fly Fishing, CraigWebsite
- Wolf Creek Angler, Wolf CreekWebsite
Map of Missouri River (Craig)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Brown Trout
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
45°F high, 28°F low
About 0.5 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
4,394 cfs
Most years 3,186 cfs to 5,881 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 11 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 06066500, 1945 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageNets & 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 PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceTerminal Tackle
Northland Rock-Runner Bottom Bouncer
A bottom bouncer with a 10 in stainless steel wire feeler that glides over rocks, logs and weeds, for drifting and trolling spinner rigs and live bait for walleyes.
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Missouri River (Craig)
Source: Montana FWP Fishing Access Sites. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Missouri River (Craig)
Guides and Charters Near Missouri River (Craig)
GuideFly Fishing
Buglife Flyfishing
Wolf Creek, Montana
Per their website: Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips, River Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Madden's Missouri River Fly Fishing Guides
Craig, Montana
Per their website: Brown Trout, Float Trips, River Trips
Farther Out
GuideFly Fishing
Agee Outfitting
Helena, Montana
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Northern Pike, River Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Living Water Guide Service and Outfitting
East Helena, Montana
205 Buffalo Run Rd 406-465-1688
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
GuideFly Fishing
North Fork Crossing
Ovando, Montana
328 N Fork Hill Rd 406-793-5046
Per their website: Float Trips