Top Spots for Fishing in Montana

By RVshare

Last updated September 23rd, 2026

Fishing

Montana is one of the top trout fishing destinations in the country, and it’s an easy state to explore by RV. Float the Yellowstone River through Paradise Valley, cast to big browns on the Beaverhead, chase fall-run trout out of Hebgen Lake, or drift the Missouri River tailwater below Holter Dam. Many of the state’s best rivers sit close to interstates and highways, with campgrounds right on the water. An RV lets you stay near the river, keep your gear ready for early starts, and link several blue-ribbon fisheries into one trip.

Table of Contents

Best Places for RV Fishing in Montana

Here are some of the best fishing spots in Montana. You’ll find plenty of trout fishing in the state, along with a variety of other fish to catch.

Fishing spot	Best for	RV camping experience	Good to know
Beaverhead River	Big brown trout	Rustic Bureau of Reclamation campgrounds at Clark Canyon Reservoir	Narrow, brushy river; upper stretch has the most access
Yellowstone River	Floating Paradise Valley	Full-hookup riverfront KOA near Livingston	Longest undammed river in the lower 48
Big Hole River	Variety, including Arctic grayling	No-hookup BLM campgrounds on the river	Much of the river flows through private land
Hebgen Lake	Stillwater trout	Forest Service campground with a boat ramp; a few electric sites	Fall trout runs up the Madison into Yellowstone
Missouri River	High trout numbers	BLM campground on Holter Lake above the dam	Best trout water: Holter Dam to Cascade
Madison River	Wade and float fishing	Small no-hookup BLM campgrounds south of Ennis	Classic riffle water on the upper river
Hyalite Reservoir	Native cutthroat and grayling near Bozeman	Reservable Forest Service campgrounds, no hookups	Grayling are catch-and-release
Bighorn River	Year-round tailwater fishing	Campground with water and electric near Fort Smith	Most anglers float, then stop to wade

Beaverhead River

The Beaverhead River flows 69 miles from Clark Canyon Reservoir, south of Dillon, to its meeting point with the Big Hole River at Twin Bridges. It’s near the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The river is narrow, twisting, and lined with brush, which makes it challenging to fish. It’s known for large brown trout and rainbow trout. Many anglers fish from a raft or drift boat, and the upper river below Clark Canyon Dam also offers good wade fishing.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: The Bureau of Reclamation manages nine campgrounds with 96 total sites around Clark Canyon Reservoir, off I-15 south of Dillon.
Fishing access: The reservoir sits at the head of the river, and the upper Beaverhead below the dam has the best public access.
Hookups: Expect rustic, no-hookup camping at the reservoir. Private RV parks in Dillon offer more services.
Good to know: Most of the lower river runs through private land, so plan around public access sites.
Best for: Self-contained RVers and experienced anglers who want trophy trout.

Yellowstone River

The Yellowstone River holds an abundance of trout. According to the National Park Service, it’s the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states, flowing 671 miles from Yount Peak in Wyoming’s Absaroka Range, through Yellowstone National Park, and north into Montana near Gardiner. From there, it passes Livingston and Paradise Valley, a popular stretch for floating. Rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout make up most of the catch.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday sits on the Yellowstone River about 10 miles south of Livingston.
Fishing access: You can fish from the campground’s river frontage.
Hookups: Full-hookup and water/electric sites, plus laundry, a heated pool, and bike rentals.
RV size: The KOA lists a 70-foot maximum length. The campground is seasonal, typically May through October.
Farther downstream: Yellowstone River RV Park & Campground in Billings offers full hookups, laundry, showers, a pool, and a playground right off I-90.
Best for: Families and larger rigs that want a full-service base near Yellowstone’s North Entrance.

If you’re planning to fish inside the park, Yellowstone requires its own fishing permit.

Big Hole River

The Big Hole flows 153 miles through southwest Montana, from Skinner Lake to its confluence with the Beaverhead River near Twin Bridges, where the two form the Jefferson River. It remains free-flowing for its entire length. Upstream, the Big Hole runs through meadows and canyons, offering both float and wade fishing for brown, rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout. The upper river is also home to the last stream-dwelling population of Arctic grayling in the lower 48 states.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: The BLM manages nine recreation sites along a 73-mile stretch between Wisdom and Melrose. Divide Bridge Campground has 21 sites, a boat ramp, and drinking water, off the I-15 Divide exit about 30 miles south of Butte.
Fishing access: Launch or wade right from camp.
Hookups: None. Arrive with full fresh water tanks and plan your dump stops.
Good to know: Much of the river flows through private land. Stay below the ordinary high-water mark.
Best for: Self-contained campers and anglers who want variety, including a shot at a grayling.

Hebgen Lake

Hebgen Lake sits on the Madison River near West Yellowstone, in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The lake covers 21 square miles and holds brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. In summer, mayfly hatches can bring big trout to the surface. In fall, brown and rainbow trout leave the lake and run up the Madison River into Yellowstone National Park to spawn, drawing anglers from around the country. A boat gives you the most options on the lake.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Lonesomehurst Campground sits on the lake’s South Fork Arm, about 20 minutes from West Yellowstone.
Fishing access: There’s a boat ramp inside the campground.
Hookups: 26 sites, with 4 RV sites offering electric hookups. Drinking water and vault toilets are available.
Season: Typically mid-May through late September, depending on the weather. Reservations are available on Recreation.gov.
Good to know: Bears frequent the area, so store all food in approved containers.
Best for: Stillwater anglers with a boat who want easy access to West Yellowstone and the park.

Missouri River

The longest river in North America, the Missouri River, also called the “Mo,” is a must-visit on a Montana RV fishing trip. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks designates the 35-mile stretch from Holter Dam to Cascade as one of the state’s premier trout fisheries. Wild rainbow and brown trout dominate here, including trophy-size fish. Walleye also turn up below the dam, and farther downstream, the river holds warm-water species such as sauger, walleye, channel catfish, northern pike, and carp.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Holter Lake Campground (BLM) sits on Holter Lake, about 45 miles north of Helena, just upstream of the dam.
Fishing access: Boat launch at the campground, with the tailwater a short drive away near Wolf Creek and Craig.
Hookups: Plan for no-hookup camping with drinking water and vault toilets.
Good to know: Sites are reservation only, with a 7-day stay limit.
Best for: Anglers who want to float the tailwater and still have lake access at camp.

Madison River

The Madison River begins in Yellowstone National Park and flows about 140 miles to Three Forks, where it joins the Gallatin and Jefferson rivers to form the Missouri River. Montana FWP calls it one of the state’s premier wild trout rivers. Rainbow and brown trout are the main catch. Different sections offer different scenery, hatches, and habitat, so the river can feel like a different place from one stretch to the next.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: BLM’s Palisades Campground sits on the upper Madison about 25 miles south of Ennis, off US Highway 287. Ruby Creek Campground is 5 river miles downstream.
Fishing access: Palisades has a paved boat launch next to the campground.
Hookups: None. Palisades has 10 sites and vault toilets.
Best for: Anglers who want to wade or float the upper Madison, then drive to Hebgen Lake or West Yellowstone.

Hyalite Reservoir

If you want to catch native fish close to town, Hyalite Reservoir is a great choice. Located about 17 miles south of Bozeman in Hyalite Canyon, the reservoir holds Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Arctic grayling, and brook trout. Grayling are catch-and-release only. It’s a no-wake lake, making it well-suited to canoes, kayaks, and slow trolling. Hood Creek and Chisholm campgrounds sit on the east shore, making it an easy overnight trip.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Hood Creek Campground has 25 sites on the reservoir. Chisholm Campground is nearby.
Fishing access: Hood Creek has an on-site boat ramp, and some sites sit along the shoreline.
Hookups: None. Drinking water, vault toilets, and gravel parking spurs.
Season: Typically mid-May through September. Reserve on Recreation.gov; waterfront sites book quickly.
Best for: A quick getaway from Bozeman, families, and paddle anglers.

Bighorn River

Located near Fort Smith, the Bighorn is one of Montana’s most popular tailwaters. It flows cold and steady from Yellowtail Dam and fishes year-round. You can catch plenty of rainbow and brown trout. The fish like small flies such as sowbugs, scuds, and small mayfly patterns. Most anglers float the river, stopping often to wade side channels and riffles.

RV Trip Snapshot

Base camp: Afterbay Campground in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, just outside Fort Smith.
Fishing access: The campground sits on Afterbay Lake, next to the upper river.
Hookups: 22 back-in sites with electric and water. A dump station is across the road. Utilities shut off in winter.
Good to know: Fort Smith has limited supplies. Stock up in Hardin or Billings.
Best for: Anglers who want year-round fishing with a simple, water-and-electric base.

How to Plan an RV Fishing Trip in Montana

Here are tips to plan an RV fishing trip in Montana.

Choose an RV-Friendly Base Camp

Pick your base near the spot you want to fish most. Bozeman is a strong hub. Within about an hour’s drive, you can reach the Madison, the Yellowstone, Hyalite Reservoir, and the Missouri headwaters.

Keep these points in mind:

Hookups vary widely: Riverside BLM and Forest Service campgrounds are often dry. Private parks near Livingston and Billings offer full hookups.
Reserve early: Popular sites, like Hood Creek and Holter Lake, fill quickly in summer.
Check length limits: Some river campgrounds have short parking spurs. Confirm your rig will fit.
Plan for bears: Many campgrounds near Yellowstone require bear-resistant food storage.

Want more private water? LandTrust, based in Bozeman, lets you book access to private land for fishing and other outdoor activities.

Pack Your RV for a Fishing Trip

Montana weather can change fast, from chilly mornings to sunny afternoons, so be sure to pack for both.

Polarized sunglasses, a hat, and a rain shell
Layers, including lightweight shirts and pants
Waders, wading boots, and a way to dry them overnight
Rods, reels, line, and flies or tackle for trout
A small backpack for gear on the water
A cooler for your catch
Bear spray for trips near Yellowstone
Extra fresh water and leveling blocks for no-hookup sites

Know Before You Go

Licenses: Anyone 12 or older needs a Montana fishing license. Most anglers need a Conservation License, an AIS Prevention Pass, and a fishing license. Starting with the 2026 license year, you can buy licenses online or through FWP offices and License Ambassador businesses. Buy yours before you arrive.
Regulations: Seasons, limits, and closures vary by water. Check the current Montana FWP fishing regulations.
Yellowstone National Park: The park requires its own fishing permit. State licenses aren’t valid there. See Yellowstone’s fishing rules.
Boat inspections: Watercraft entering Montana must be inspected before launching, and you must stop at every open inspection station.
Stream access: Montana law lets you fish rivers and streams up to the ordinary high-water mark. You can’t cross private land to reach the water. Learn more from FWP’s stream access page.

Find an RV for Your Montana Fishing Trip

An RV makes a Montana fishing trip simpler. Park next to the Big Hole or the Madison and be on the water at first light. Store rods, waders, and coolers in one place, with room to dry gear between days. Link the Beaverhead, the Big Hole, and the Madison into one loop without packing up a hotel room each night. Grill your catch at camp. And when you travel with family or friends, everyone has a place to stay, whether they fish all day or explore nearby towns and parks.

Browse Montana RV rentals and start planning your route.