Big Hole River
Big Hole River
- Boat Ramps
- 20
- Access Points
- 42
- Species
- 10
The Big Hole River flows for approximately 155 miles through southwestern Montana, starting at Skinner Lake in the Beaverhead Mountains near the Idaho border and continuing to its confluence with the Jefferson River at Twin Bridges. This free-flowing waterway winds through diverse landscapes including high mountain meadows, narrow canyons, and broad cottonwood valleys. As one of Montana's premier blue-ribbon trout fisheries, the river is renowned for its exceptional habitat that supports abundant aquatic insect populations leading to prolific hatches and thriving fish populations. The Big Hole River is a freestone river with no dams controlling its flow, meaning water levels and clarity vary seasonally with snowmelt, rainfall, and irrigation demands. The river's natural beauty, diverse fishing opportunities, and relatively manageable fishing pressure make it a cherished destination for anglers seeking an authentic Montana fly fishing experience.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Big Hole River and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Arctic Grayling
Thymallus arcticus
Burbot
Lota lota
Mountain Whitefish
Prosopium williamsoni
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Big Hole River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Glen Fishing Access Site
Sawlog Creek Fishing Access Site
Brown's Bridge Fishing Access Site
Powerhouse Fishing Access Site
East Bank Fishing Access Site
Big Hole River Access
Pennington Bridge Fishing Access Site
Sawlog Creek Fishing Access Site
Pipe Fishing Access Site
George Grant Memorial Fishing Access Site
Know where you can legally fish on Big Hole River
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Montana licenses and regulations
Montana Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Montana Fishing License
All anglers 12 and over must possess a license.
Montana Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Montana Stream Access Laws
Under the Montana Stream Access Law, the public may use rivers and streams for recreational purposes up to the ordinary high water marks. Although the law gives recreationists the right to use rivers and streams for water-related recreation, it does not give them the right to enter private lands bordering those streams or to cross private lands to gain access to streams without landowner permission. Montana's stream access law ensures public access to surface waters by public bridge or county road right-of-way. The width of a public bridge or public road right-of-way easement is the same as the public highway to which it is attached.
Take Big Hole River with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Big Hole River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Big Hole River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Get the onWater Fish app
Free on iOS and Android
Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Big Hole River and check the forecast before you go.
Big Hole River at Maiden Rock nr Divide MT
All Flow Stations
Fishing near Big Hole River
Clark Fork
Georgetown Lake
Wise River
Beaverhead River
Little Blackfoot River
Rock Creek
Jefferson River
Boulder River
Silver Bow Creek
Explore Montana waters
Top fishing waters
Popular Cities
Loading popular cities...
Explore near Big Hole River
Fish species
Fishing spots
Nearby waters
More in Montana
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.