Lower Missouri River : Fishing &
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 The
Lower Missouri River, which is loosely defined as downstream
from Fort Benton to the North Dakota border, is a beautiful
and secluded river. Rich in history, the Missouri River flows
through the Missouri Breaks and is classified as a Wild or
Scenic River for more than 150 miles downstream from Fort
Benton. The countryside the river flows through is quite unique,
with tall canyons, large arid buttes and awesome rock formations
lining the river.
The Missouri River
then empties into Fort Peck Lake, a massive lake stretching
across a sizable chunk of eastern Montana. Below Fort Peck
Lake, the Missouri River continues on towards the North Dakota
border, meandering through the rolling prairie of eastern
Montana.
For all of its
entire length, the Missouri River offers floaters true solitude.
The river is never used for float fishing and its classification
as a Wild or Scenic River severely limit the use of motorboats.
Additionally, its remote setting combined with far flung access
points, make day use difficult. Thus, the Missouri River,
particularly between Fort Benton and Fort Peck Lake (the river
flows through no towns and has no bridge crossings on this
section) is an awesome place to take a long float trip. Almost
certainly a large chunk of the river will be yours and yours
alone.
Solitude can also
be found below Fort Peck Lake, although access points are
somewhat more frequent and the river skirts a few small towns.
The countryside is also different, with the buttes and cliffs
giving way to more or a rolling prairie with cottonwood trees
more abundant along the rivers banks.
The only trout
fishing to be found on the Lower Missouri River is located
in a short couple mile stretch just below Fort Peck Dam. The
cool, controlled waters of the dam create a fertile breeding
ground for large rainbow trout. Oddly, these rainbows are
not maintained by the state of Montana. While fishing pressure
is far from heavy, lots of local anglers make the trip here
(it's the best place to catch large trout in the eastern half
of the state), so this stretch of the Missouri River receives
a surprising amount of use. Its also known for producing huge
northern pike and walleye, which draws many spin anglers in
search of a trophy. Streamers are an excellent fly to use
for the rainbows in this section, especially on a sinking
or sink tip line. Spin fisherman also have success with various
large spoons, spinners as well as live bait.
 Other
than this short stretch, the Missouri River is a warm water
fishery downstream from Fort Benton. Large northern pike,
walleye, catfish and smallmouth bass make up the bulk of the
fish in the Lower Missouri River. And fed by the high nutrient
water of the Missouri River, these fish can get really big,
making for interesting fishing stories - especially if you
happen to catch a northern pike on a fly rod. It should be
noted that between Fort Benton and Fort Peck Lake, the Missouri
River generally runs turbid all year, severely limiting any
fly rod action. Below Fort Peck Lake, the river generally
runs clear enough to allow productive fly fishing action for
the warm water fish found there.
Overall, the Lower
Missouri River is not a place to come for trout fishing. However,
the Lower Missouri River offers floating and rafting trips
like no other place in Montana can, and throws in the additional
benefits of plenty of solitude in a very unique and historic
setting.
River Miles
Listed below are
selected river miles on the Missouri River, from Great Falls
downstream to the North Dakota Border.
- Giant
Springs State Park (Great Falls): 522
- Carter
Ferry FAS: 488
- Loma Access
Site: 448
- Coral Banks
Access and Boat Ramp: 428
- LaBarge Rock
Access: 415
- Judith Landing
Access and Boat Ramp: 381
- McClelland Ferry:
367
- Cow Creek Access:
341
- West Boundary
Charles Russell Wildlife Refuge: 330
- James Kipp Access
and Boat Ramp: 350
- Siparyann Access
Site: 332
- Rock Creek Access
and Boat Ramp (before Fort Peck Lake): 325
- Fort Peck Dam:
185
- Lewis
and Clark FAS: 114
- Brockton Access
Site: 65
- Culbertson
Bridge FAS: 36
- North Dakota
Border: 0
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