Guide To The Best Places To Fish in Montana
There are many great places to fish in The Treasure State. One of the great treasures here is awesome fishing. Rivers, ponds and lakes provide anglers the opportunity to wet a line in pursuit of multiple cold-water and warm-water fish species.
Montana's Top-Five, Amazing Fishing Spots
- Canyon Ferry Lake in west-central MT
- Holter Lake in west-central MT
- Hebgen Lake in southeast MT
- Clark Canyon Reservoir in southwest MT
- Fort Peck Lake in northeast MT
Often the best place to fish is chosen by the species an angler prefers. The focus of this website is on major lakes, and we've chosen these five for their diversity of species and their long-standing reputations for serving up quality fishing. Learn more...
Most Popular Fish Species In Montana
Anglers in Montana can cast for two species of bass, three species of salmon, six species of trout, channel catfish, walleye, both species of crappie, white bass, yellow perch, sunfish and other popular species. Learn more...
Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Montana
- Noxon Reservoir in west-central MT
- Nelson Reservoir in north-central MT
- Fort Peck Lake in northeast MT
Bass, both largemouth and smallmouth, tend to garner a great deal of attention in this high-country fishing mecca. About one fourth of the major lakes in the state have one, or both species. These three are a great place to seek great bass fishing in MT. Learn more...
Best Lakes To Fish For Salmon In Montana
- Fort Peck Lake in northeast MT
- Lake Koocanusa in northwest MT
- Georgetown Lake in west-central MT
Salmon thrive in cold, clean river systems. The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks department has done a fine job of adding landlocked salmon to some of the lakes in the state. These three have proven to be a great place to fish for salmon in the state. Chinook, coho and kokanee are available in various waters across the state. Learn more...
Top Places To Fish For Trout In Montana
- Holter Lake in west-central MT
- Hebgen Lake in southeast MT
- Georgetown Lake in west-central MT
However you like to fish for trout, you can do it in spades here in Montana. You can choose to pursue rainbow, cutthroat, brook, brown, lake or golden trout. For many, the best place to fish for trout is in rivers and streams. On this website we only cover lakes, so we offer up these three that are considered to be top trout lakes by local anglers, over the years. Learn more...
Best Lakes To Fish For Catfish In Montana
- Fort Peck Lake in northeast MT
- Nelson Reservoir in north-central MT
- Tongue River Reservoir in northwest MT
Channel catfish are the main species of catfish found in waters across the state. Many of the rivers, ponds and lakes are home to these bottom-feeding cats. The state record is over 35 pounds, but there are plenty of them in the 2 to 5 pound range to keep the action going. Learn more...
Best Walleye Fishing Lakes In Montana
- Canyon Ferry Lake in west-central MT
- Fort Peck Lake in northeast MT
- Lake Frances in northwest MT
Known for excellent tasting filets, walleye are many anglers' favorite foe. They run in schools and put up a worthy battle when hooked. The state record is over 17 pounds. In addition to walleye, you can fish for sauger and saugeye as well. Learn more...
Enjoy these top spots to go fishing in Montana
Find the best places to fish, by state.
MONTANA

