Fishing Report Updated October 15, 2022
This Missouri River fishing report is valid October 15 through early November.
The Upper Missouri between Toston Dam and Canyon Ferry Reservoir can produce some enormous brown and rainbow trout now through Thanksgiving. This is essentially steelhead fishing: cover lots of water with swung trout spey streamers or nymph the good, deep runs with stonefly nymphs and eggs.
Land of Giants (Hauser Tailwater) often fishes very well in late fall. Cloud cover would help a lot to bump up the streamer bite, though perch-imitating streamers as well as flashy stuff always work well here. Big browns! Nymphs should center on tiny BWO, midge pupae, and sow bugs.
The Holter Tailwater is a good choice now. Fish similar bugs as noted above, but run your nymphs shallower. BWO hatches have been sporadic in the afternoons but will drastically improve with gray skies.
Learn more about fishing the Land of Giants section of the Missouri River.
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