It’s a fishing day

Big Hole River fishing conditions · Montana

Nothing in seasonfor anything people fish for here

Every species people fish for here is out of season or closed today.

Dense Fog Advisory until Monday 12 pm
Log a trip here

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Montana Central District regulations for these waters.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

–Not scoredOut of season

Out of seasonOut of season here today. Check the agency before fishing.

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

3 a day

Out of season here today. Check the agency before fishing. Central District rivers and streams: 3 trout a day and in possession, only 1 over 18" and only 1 a cutthroat; grayling must be released. Open all year unless an exception says otherwise.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Montana Central District

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on rainbow trout

Brook Trout

Brook trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

–Not scoredOut of season

Out of seasonOut of season here today. Check the agency before fishing.

Water

No water reading here right now. Brook trout bite in 40–65° water, best near 52°.

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 1–10 ft down.

Keep

20 a day

Out of season here today. Check the agency before fishing. Central District: 20 brook trout a day and in possession, separate from the combined trout limit. Open all year unless an exception says otherwise.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Montana Central District

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on brook trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

–Not scoredOut of season

Out of seasonOut of season here today. Check the agency before fishing.

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Brown trout feeds less actively under bright moon. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

3 a day

Out of season here today. Check the agency before fishing. Central District rivers and streams: 3 trout a day and in possession, only 1 over 18" and only 1 a cutthroat; grayling must be released. Open all year unless an exception says otherwise.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Montana Central District

Season here: Apr–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • River770 cfs · steady · +13% in 24 h
  • Barometer30.20 inHg, steady

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunrise today8:02 am
  • Sunset today6:27 pm
  • MoonFull, 100% lit
  • Major solunarToday 12:10 am–2:10 am
  • Minor solunarToday 8:20 am–9:20 am
  • Major solunarToday 12:30 pm–2:30 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Montana FWP has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: Montana FWP · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

A storied southwest-Montana river holding the last river-dwelling Arctic grayling in the lower 48 alongside wild brown, rainbow, and brook trout. A free-flowing freestone famous for the salmonfly hatch and big-water dry-fly fishing.

Central District. Dickie Bridge to the mouth is open April 1 through Sept 30 only and is catch-and-release for all trout; Dickie Bridge to Brownes Bridge is artificial lures only. Arctic grayling are released on the whole river.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Big Hole River?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Big Hole River you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Big Hole River?

Big Hole River is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Big Hole River?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Big Hole River against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Big Hole River have?

Big Hole River has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Central District. Dickie Bridge to the mouth is open April 1 through Sept 30 only and is catch-and-release for all trout; Dickie Bridge to Brownes Bridge is artificial lures only. Arctic grayling are released on the whole river.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Big Hole River?

state agency regulations apply at Big Hole River. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Big Hole River tidal water?

No. Big Hole River is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.