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Missoula, Montana

Missoula Fishing Guides

8 fishing guides and outfitters fishing from Missoula: the Clark Fork, Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers, listed A to Z with their trip types and published prices, plus live river flows. Call the guide directly – we never take a commission.

8 guides and outfitters5 publish prices$562 typical half day
See the guidesMissoula river flows

The guides

Missoula fishing guides and outfitters, A to Z

Trip types, species and prices are shown as each operator publishes them. Ask the guide what fits your group, and confirm prices before you book.

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Your guide service, Missoula

The one City Spotlight for Missoula sits here, above the A to Z list, labeled Featured. Only for guides who pass our listing rules. How it works

Listed alphabetically – this is not a ranking. Updated October 2026. How we list · Update or remove a listing

Today on the water

River conditions in Missoula right now

River flowLive

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USGS Clark Fork above Missoula

Water temperatureLive

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USGS Clark Fork above Missoula

Wind nowLive

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National Weather Service

Air pressureLive

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National Weather Service

SunriseLive

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Sunset after load

MoonLive

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Phase

Live from USGS Clark Fork above Missoula, USGS Bitterroot River near Missoula, USGS Blackfoot River near Bonner, the National Weather Service. Sunrise and moon are calculated for Missoula.

Flows, seasons and what is biting: Missoula fishing report.

Prices

What a guided fishing trip costs in Missoula

Calculated from the prices guides publish (private trips, not per person), checked October 2026. Most guided trips are priced for one or two anglers; tips, flies or bait and lunch can be extra.

TripMedianRangeGuides
Private half day (about 4 hours)$562$500 – $6504

Compare towns: fishing charter prices across the US.

Seasons

What is biting in Missoula, month by month

The main months for each fish, so you can match your dates to what you want to catch.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rainbow trout
Brown trout
Westslope cutthroat trout

Shaded months are the main season or open season for each fish, from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ own published calendars. Seasons and limits change – check current rules before you go. Sources: missoulianangler.com.

Know before you go

Fishing in Missoula: local notes

The Bitterroot, Rock Creek and Blackfoot all drain into the Clark Fork, which is the last river to go brown and the last to clear in spring runoff; runoff usually starts in late April and is in full force by about May 10, and Rock Creek clears fastest.

Source: missoulianangler.com

The Skwala stonefly hatch starts first on the Bitterroot once water temperatures hold near 45°F; the Clark Fork and Rock Creek follow about a week later.

Source: missoulianangler.com

FWP 'hoot-owl' restrictions close fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight after water hits 73°F for three straight days; in July 2024 they covered the entire Bitterroot, parts of the Clark Fork, and the Blackfoot from Cedar Meadow FAS to the Clark Fork confluence.

Source: dailymontanan.com

Missoula River Lodge notes its guides hold river access permits for Rock Creek, the upper Bitterroot/West Fork and the Blackfoot; commercial use of those waters is permitted, so not every guide can fish them.

Source: montanaflyfishingguide.com

Questions

Missoula fishing guide questions

How many fishing guides are in Missoula?

We list 8 fishing guides and outfitters, A to Z – not ranked.

How much does a fishing guide cost in Missoula?

Among 4 guides that publish a private half-day price, the median is $562 (from $500 to $650). Guided trips are usually priced for one or two anglers.

What fish can you catch in Missoula?

The species Missoula captains list most often are Brown trout, Cutthroat trout, Rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat trout and Northern pike. In October, the season calendar above shows Brown trout, Westslope cutthroat trout in season.

Do I need a fishing license on a guided trip in Montana?

Yes. A guide’s license does not cover clients: every angler who is old enough to need a Montana fishing license needs their own, guided or not. A resident annual license is $31 and a nonresident annual license $117.50. Montana fishing license prices and rules.

Does Gone Fishing HQ take a commission?

No. You book with the captain directly by phone or on their own website, and they keep 100% of the trip price.

More in Montana: Bozeman · Craig.

For captains and guides

Your boat, listed free. No commission, ever.

Anglers call you or book on your own website, and you keep 100% of every trip. Want more detail or the one Featured spot in your town? Enhanced is $19/month and City Spotlight $49/month.

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