Missouri River Fishing Report
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This Missouri River fishing report is valid from December 5 through February.
The Upper Missouri between Toston Dam and Canyon Ferry is now too cold and probably has some ice. No point fishing here until April or so.
Land of Giants (Hauser Tailwater): Good bet, and much less crowded than it will be in March and April. Fish a midge pupa behind a slightly larger fly, such as an AMEX or other “pink junk” gob of protein. You can probably still find some spawner browns and certainly some drifting eggs, so pink and apricot egg patterns are also on order. Swinging streamers in the tailouts may still work, too.
The Holter Tailwater: While there may be occasional midge or even BWO hatches through the winter, low and slow with pink junk or midge pupae (Zebra Midge, etc.) is much more likely to produce.
Missouri River Fishing Report – Relevant Links
- Hauser Dam Streamflow Data: Note that wade-fishing becomes difficult when flows are over 5000cfs and is basically impossible in most places above 8000cfs. High flows are most common in late May and early June.
- Holter Dam Streamflow Data
- “Land of Giants” Area Weather
- Craig (Holter Dam Area) Weather
Note: We update our general fishing report far more often than our fishery-specific reports like this one, especially between November and April.