Missouri River, Montana
Missouri River Fishing Report: May 25, 2026
Missouri River is good today with 3,050 cfs at 7:45 am, a falling flow trend, and a best window of late morning through afternoon, with clouds extending the window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late morning through afternoon, with clouds extending the window
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies
Quick Summary
Missouri River is a good option today. USGS showed 3,050 cfs at 7:45 AM and 2.18 feet, with the flow trend falling and water temperature 53 F. The best plan is late morning through afternoon, with clouds extending the window; start with nymphs; dry flies and adjust for light, wind, and clarity at the access.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 3,050 cfs at 7:45 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.18 feet |
| Water Temp | 53 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling |
| Best Window | Late morning through afternoon, with clouds extending the window |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Craig, MT, the National Weather Service forecast says: Memorial Day: Sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 2 to 10 mph. Active NWS alerts for the point check: No active NWS alerts for the checked point.
River Notes
Use the Below Holter Dam gauge as the baseline, then confirm clarity and bank safety when you arrive. A falling hydrograph means fish may shift through the day; if the river bumps up, favor inside bends, softer banks, and defined seams instead of committing to heavy mid-channel water. Official gauge data does not report clarity, so treat clarity as Not reported until it is checked on site.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on late-May regional timing, current official gauge/weather checks, and public local report pages reviewed separately for context.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-20 | Clouds favor surface activity |
| Midges | 18-24 | Still useful on slick fish |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Increasing late-spring option |
| Scuds / Sowbugs | 14-18 | Consistent tailwater food |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | BWO Cripple | 16-20 | Match picky risers |
| Dry | Midge Cluster | 20-24 | Use in quiet slicks |
| Nymph | Sowbug | 14-18 | Lead fly below the dam |
| Nymph | Zebra Midge | 18-22 | Trail in slower seams |
| Streamer | Thin Mint Bugger | 6-10 | Cover banks during low light |
Tactics
Start subsurface in the most defined walking-speed lanes and change depth before changing flies. If fish begin rising, simplify to one accurate dry or a dry with a small emerger and lengthen the leader. For good wading, keep crossings conservative and check the gauge again before stepping into pushy water.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri River bl Holter Dam nr Wolf Cr MT | 3,050 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.