Missouri River, Montana
Missouri River Fishing Report: May 20, 2026
Missouri River is fair today with 3,230 cfs at the primary gauge and morning, then watch storms and showers as the best window.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning, then watch storms and showers
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
Missouri River is fishable with mixed conditions today. USGS showed 3,230 cfs and 2.29 feet at 7:45 AM, with the flow trend stable. Water temperature was 53 F. Start with nymphs, then adjust to dry flies or streamers if fish show you a better lane or feeding level. Leave the water if thunder develops; open riffles and drift boats are poor places to wait out lightning.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair |
| Flow | 3,230 cfs at 7:45 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.29 feet |
| Water Temp | 53 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Morning, then watch storms and showers |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies; streamers |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Craig, MT, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: A chance of rain before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 52 in the afternoon. West wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. No active NWS alerts were returned for the point check. Plan around wind, changing light, and any showers or storms rather than assuming a full-day dry fly window.
River Notes
The best starting point is water that matches the current gauge: inside seams, protected banks, riffle drop-offs, and slower buckets rather than the heaviest current. A stable trend is worth watching through the day; if the hydrograph turns sharply upward, clarity and wade safety can change before hatch timing does. Clarity was not available from an official gauge during this check, so treat it as Not reported and verify it at the access before committing to a long float or wade plan.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on seasonal May patterns for this river system, current public report context where available, and today’s official gauge/weather check.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Look for pods during cloud cover |
| Midge | 18-24 | Important in softer flats |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Increasing late in the day |
| Scuds/Sowbugs | 14-18 | Reliable subsurface food |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Sowbug | 14-18 | Primary tailwater nymph |
| Nymph | Zebra Midge | 18-22 | For slower seams |
| Dry | BWO Cripple | 18-22 | Over pods of risers |
| Dry | CDC Caddis | 14-18 | Late-day searcher |
| Streamer | Thin Mint | 4-8 | Bank and drop-off work |
Tactics
Start with nymphs in defined lanes and adjust weight, depth, or leader length before changing flies. If fish begin rising, simplify to a single dry or dry with an emerger/dropper and lengthen the leader. In bright or windy periods, return to subsurface presentations along protected banks and broken water. Re-check the gauge before wading new crossings, especially if the trend changes from stable or falling to rising.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| MISSOURI RIVER BL HOLTER DAM NR WOLF CREEK MT | 3,230 cfs | 53 F | USGS 06066500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 06066500 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Craig, 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.