Daily River Forecast

Missouri River

Craig, Montana

Missouri River | Craig, Montana | Updated June 15, 2026 | Station: Missouri River near Wolf Creek

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How To Fish It

  • Start with a long, light indicator setup and enough split shot to keep small bugs in the lower third of the column.
  • Fish flats, shallow shelves, and the slow seam next to bucket water rather than pounding only the obvious banks.
  • When heads appear, lengthen the leader, get downstream, and make the first drift count. Missouri fish do not forgive sloppy line.

Bugs & Best Matches

What's active
Fish this
Midges, size 18-22, morning and low-light periods
Zebra Midge black or red, size 18-20, nymph; Midge Cluster, size 18-22, dry
Blue-winged olives, size 18-20, midday through afternoon
Split Back BWO, size 18-20, nymph; CDC BWO Dun, size 18-20, dry
Sowbug and scud food base, size 14-18, all day subsurface
Tailwater Sowbug, size 14-18, nymph
General subsurface
RS2 gray or olive, size 18-22, emerger

Current Conditions

FlowTailwater flows are usually stable enough to keep fish in predictable buckets, shelves, and seams.
Water TempCold but steady tailwater temperatures keep fish active even when the weather swings.
WeatherCloud cover usually improves olive activity. Bright calm afternoons can make fish visibly selective.
Rating8/10

Today's Feeding Pattern

Missouri trout feed often, but they inspect everything. In late April the river usually fishes best with small nymphs, emergers, and careful dry-fly presentations wherever midges or olives gather in slick water. Fish hold on broad shelves and moderate seams, and the best dry-fly fish often slide up only when the bugs get concentrated enough to make the surface worthwhile.

About The Missouri River

The Missouri below Holter Dam is a classic Montana tailwater centered around Craig, with long flats, consistent bug life, and heavy trout numbers. It is one of the state's most dependable technical fisheries because stable flows and fertile water keep fish feeding across a long season.

Rainbow and brown trout dominate the catch. The river is especially well known for midge and baetis fishing, both under an indicator and on the surface when conditions line up.

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Forecast powered by Buggin — a fly fishing app that predicts what fish are feeding on based on river and weather conditions.