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Tongue River

Boat Ramps
1
Access Points
14
Species
28

The Tongue River originates in the Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming and flows northeast approximately 250 miles through southeastern Montana before joining the Yellowstone River near Miles City. This picturesque river runs through varied landscapes including the mountains of Wyoming, red shale canyons, the pine hills and buttes of eastern Montana, and open prairie grasslands. The Tongue River Dam near the Wyoming-Montana border creates Tongue River Reservoir, a popular 3,700-acre impoundment that provides excellent fishing opportunities. The river system offers diverse fishing experiences in both moving water and reservoir settings, with multiple fish species inhabiting different sections.


Fish stocking schedule

All stockings · 2

  • Rainbow Trout2,000 fish · 7.4 inApr 27, 2020
  • Rainbow Trout2,000 fish · 7.4 inApr 27, 2020

Source

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

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Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Tongue 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.

Know where you can legally fish on Tongue 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.

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Montana Fishing License

All anglers 12 and over must possess a license.

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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.

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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.

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Take Tongue 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 Tongue River to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Tongue River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Free on iOS and Android

Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Tongue River and check the forecast before you go.

TONGUE RIVER NEAR DAYTON, WY

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