Montana Fishing Report — Week of September 24, 2026
Early fall is on across Montana: cooler nights, clearer water, and useful weekend rain bumps on southwestern and western freestones. Hoot-owl restrictions are largely lifted on the main trout rivers. Drought full closures remain on the upper Beaverhead and Big Hole Section 1.
Best bets right now
Holter Reservoir — FWP’s September 21 report calls rainbow fishing “awesome.” Try nymphs and streamers at Gates of the Mountains; cowbells and crawler at Black Beach; night bite at Split Rock and Clay Banks.
Hauser Reservoir — Rainbows are good below Canyon Ferry Dam and the Causeway (crawlers, nymphs, streamers). Troll Black Sandy and York Bridge to Lakeside.
Upper Madison — Around 831 cfs at Kirby, water in the low 50s at dawn, clear, no FWP restriction. Streamers early; hoppers and ants on calm afternoons; Baetis building.
Lower Madison — Around 1,150 cfs, upper 50s. Crayfish plus a small nymph or streamer; Baetis pods; no restriction.
Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Rock Creek — Flows above median after rain, clear and cool. Tricos mid-morning, then terrestrials, with Mahoganies, BWOs, and October Caddis showing. Shops rate the Bitterroot a top regional pick.
Yellowstone — Improving as pressure and temps drop. Hoppers and ants with tandem nymphs; streamers picking up.
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir — Kokanee snagging going well; larger fish noted. Season runs September 1 through October 31; limit 35 daily / 70 possession.
Canyon Ferry is cooling and pushing walleye and rainbows shallower (10–20 ft). Mid-reservoir east shore near Goose Bay has been best for walleye. Green algae is heavy on the south end.
Hatches, patterns, tips
Mornings: Tricos (especially Bitterroot below Florence and on the Clark Fork). After cool nights, start around 9–10 a.m., not dawn.
Afternoons: Hoppers, ants, beetles (ants and beetles often beat hoppers on shaded banks); Mahogany duns, BWOs, Hecubas; October Caddis showing on the Bitterroot forks and upper stem.
Subsurface: Rubberlegs with Baetis or perdigon droppers; Lower Madison crayfish plus an #18 attractor; olive/black/white streamers on cloud cover, wind, or flow bumps.
Reservoirs: Rainbows on cowbells, crankbaits, nymphs, and streamers; walleye on bottom bouncer/worm harness or jigs in 10–20 ft; Causeway arm for perch and walleye with slip bobber and leech.
Closures and notes (check before you go)
Still closed (drought / emergency):
Beaverhead: Clark Canyon Dam to Pipe Organ FAS (low dam releases)
Big Hole Section 1: Saginaw Bridge to North Fork confluence
Blackfoot: floating closed Weigh Station to I-90 (rail bridge construction)
Sun River: ±500 ft of Pishkun Rd Bridge closed to all use through November 15, 2026
Recently reopened: Big Hole Section 5 (Tony Schoonen/Notch to Beaverhead confluence) — lifted September 22 after weekend rain.
Coming October 1: Annual spawning closures on portions of the Big Hole (Dickie Bridge to Jefferson), Ruby, and Beaverhead.
Rock Creek is closed to floating through November 30 (seasonal). Watch for downed trees if floating the Bitterroot. Practice careful release — net quick, keep fish wet.
Sources
FWP waterbody restrictions
Helena area reservoirs (Sep 21, 2026)
Bitterroot (Sep 21)
Madison (Sep 21)
Stop by Booze ’N Bait in Troy for flies, tackle, and local insight before you head out.
