Missouri River, Montana
Missouri River Craig Fishing Report: May 16, 2026
The Missouri below Holter is stable near 3,210 cfs with mid-50s water, making it one of the better Montana options during freestone runoff.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Late morning through afternoon, then any calm dry-fly window
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Missouri near Craig is one of the more dependable Montana choices right now. USGS showed 3,210 cfs below Holter Dam and about 54 F water, with only a slight rise over the last day. Nymphing is the safest bet, but baetis or caddis windows can bring fish up if flows stay steady and weather cooperates.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 3,210 cfs below Holter Dam at 3:45 PM MDT |
| Water Temp | 54 F below Holter Dam |
| Clarity | Not reported; tailwater conditions favored over runoff freestones |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Late morning through afternoon, then any calm dry-fly window |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies |
| Wadeability | Good for wading and boat fishing at current flow, with standard tailwater caution |
Weather
The Craig and Wolf Creek area was cool and mostly cloudy with a slight rain chance. Tonight brings rain or rain/snow chances, and Sunday looks wetter and colder with rain and snow likely.
River Notes
The tailwater is in a fishable range while many freestones are dealing with runoff. If flows bump, expect nymphing to outproduce dries. If the water holds steady and the wind gives you a break, watch slow edges and flats for baetis or caddis feeders.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baetis | 18-22 | Best dry-fly chance under clouds |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Carry emergers and adults |
| Midges | 20-22 | Useful on slower tailwater fish |
| Sowbugs/Scuds | 16-22 | Core subsurface food |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Ray Charles | 18-22 | Missouri staple in pink or natural |
| Nymph | Juju Baetis | 18-22 | Good baetis nymph |
| Nymph | San Juan Worm | 10-12 | Useful if flows rise or water has color |
| Dry | Parachute Adams | 18-22 | Baetis/midge searching dry |
| Dry | Caddis Emerger | 14-18 | Use during caddis activity |
Tactics
Start with a sowbug, scud, baetis, or worm nymph rig adjusted to the lane depth. Check slow edges, foam lines, and flats for noses before changing to dries. In wind, shorten the leader and prioritize clean drifts over long casts.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri River below Holter Dam near Wolf Creek MT | 3,210 cfs | 54 F | USGS 06066500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 06066500 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Craig and Wolf Creek, MT area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with local public conditions reports reviewed separately for hatch, access, and method context.