Montana Trout Fishing For Rainbow, Brown, Brook, Lake & Cutthroat Trout - Fly Fishing & Other Techniques for Catching Big Trout in MT.
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Montana Trout Fishing

Trout Fishing in Montana

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In Montana

With its clean cold water, Montana is a prime haven for trout. They grow big and healthy in all types of waters throughout the state. Virtually all rivers and streams in MT contain one or more species of trout and they are found in private ponds and small lakes as well. Most of the major lakes in Montana sport a healthy population of trout. These lakes include Ashley Lake, Bighorn Lake, Bull Lake, Canyon Ferry Lake, Clark Canyon Reservoir, Deadmans Basin Reservoir, Flathead Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Fresno Reservoir, Georgetown Lake, Gibson Reservoir, Hauser Lake, Hebgen Lake, Holter Lake, Hungry Horse Reservoir, Lake Elwell/Tiber Reservoir, Lake Frances, Lake Helena, Lake Koocanusa, Lake McDonald, Noxon Reservoir, Placid Lake, Seeley Lake, St Mary Lake, Whitefish Lake and Willow Creek Reservoir.

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks has a program for stockinh trout and other fish. Visit their website to get details on trout stocking in Montana.

The Montana state record brook trout was caught from Lower Two Medicine Lake and the state record brown trout came out of Wade Lake. Red Eagle Lake yielded the state record cutthroat trout and Cave Lake gave up the state record golden trout. Ashley Lake has the honors for the state record hybrid trout and Flathead Lake for the state record lake trout. Honors for the Montana stste record rainbow trout belongs to the Kootenai River near the David Thompson Bridge. Bear lake yielded the state record tiger trout.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Fishing For Rainbow Trout

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Fishing For Brook Trout

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

Fishing For Brown Trout

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush

Fishing for lake trout

Cutthroat Trout
Salmo clarki

Fishing for cutthroat trout

Organizations & Resources

Cutthroat Trout Conservation
DMOZ Trout Section

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The states list to the left can direct you to information about trout in other states.

All About Fishing for Trout in Montana.

 
Photos

RAINBOW TROUT

Rainbow Trout Picture
World Record Rainbow Trout

42 lbs - 2 oz

Montana State Record Rainbow Trout

33 lbs - 2 oz

Preferred Water Temperature

52 - 68 Degrees

Preferred Habitat

Prefers generally clear flowing waters with turbulence for oxygenation over gravel, rock or sandy bottoms.

BROOK TROUT

Brook Trout Picture
World Record Brook Trout

14 lbs - 8 oz

Montana State Record Brook Trout

9 lbs - 1 oz

Preferred Water Temperature

52 to 64 Degrees

Preferred Habitat

Prefers clear cold water with moderate current over gravel, rocks or sand.

BROWN TROUT

Brown Trout Picture
World Record Brown Trout

40 lbs - 4 oz

Montana State Record Brown Trout

29 lbs - 0 oz

Preferred Water Temperature

56 - 64 Degrees

Preferred Habitat

Prefers slightly stained cool water with minimum current over rock or sandy bottoms with heavy cover.

LAKE TROUT

Lake Trout Picture
World Record Lake Trout

72 lbs - 0 oz

Montana State Record Lake Trout

42 lbs - 0 oz

Preferred Water Temperature

52 - 68 Degrees

Preferred Habitat

Prefers clear to slightly stained water with significant depths and sandy bottoms in the shallows.

CUTTHROAT TROUT

Cutthroat Trout Picture
World Record Cutthroat Trout

41 lbs - 0 oz

Montana State Record Cutthroat Trout

16 lbs - 0 oz

Preferred Water Temperature

68 - 72 Degrees

Preferred Habitat

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current.

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