UTERBrown trout fishing in Montana freshwater
In Montana freshwater, brown trout peak March–April and June–November and are around year-round, spawning in October–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. October: Pre-spawn browns on streamers — the Missouri, the Madison, the Beaverhead.
Pre-spawn browns on streamers — the Missouri, the Madison, the Beaverhead.
Brown trout in Montana freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchPeak
- AprilPeak
- MayAround
- JunePeak
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberSpawningPre-spawn browns on streamers — the Missouri, the Madison, the Beaverhead.
- NovemberSpawning
- DecemberAround
Where to fish brown trout near Madison River, Missouri River (Craig), Bighorn River
Blue-ribbon trout rivers — the Madison, the Missouri, the Bighorn, the Yellowstone — native grayling in the Big Hole, Flathead's lake trout, and the plains reservoirs' walleye and paddlefish.
What to use for brown trout
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 36–72°F water, best at 50–64°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch brown trout in Montana freshwater?
Peak season is March–April and June–November, with fish spawning in October–November (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Brown trout are here year-round. October: Pre-spawn browns on streamers — the Missouri, the Madison, the Beaverhead.
Where do brown trout hold in Montana freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake, reservoir — around Madison River, Missouri River (Craig), Bighorn River, Big Hole River, Yellowstone River, Flathead Lake.
What is the best bait for brown trout in Montana freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for brown trout in Montana freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Montana FWP) and change — read the current rule at https://fwp.mt.gov/fish/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply.
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