It’s a fishing day

Beaverhead River fishing conditions · Montana

Nothing in seasonfor anything people fish for here

Every species people fish for here is out of season or closed today.

Log a trip here

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Montana Central District regulations for these waters.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

–Not scoredOut of season

Out of seasonOut of season here today. Check the agency before fishing.

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Out of season here today. Check the agency before fishing. Open April 1 through Sept 30 only, and rainbow and brown trout must be released. Upstream, High Bridge to Barretts keeps 5 browns under 18"; Clark Canyon Dam to High Bridge is catch-and-release with artificial lures and single hooks.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Beaverhead River, Barretts Diversion to the mouth

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

More on rainbow trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

–Not scoredOut of season

Out of seasonOut of season here today. Check the agency before fishing.

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Out of season here today. Check the agency before fishing. Open April 1 through Sept 30 only, and rainbow and brown trout must be released. Upstream, High Bridge to Barretts keeps 5 browns under 18"; Clark Canyon Dam to High Bridge is catch-and-release with artificial lures and single hooks.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Beaverhead River, Barretts Diversion to the mouth

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer30.31 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today5:10 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow7:19 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:40 pm–4:40 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 10:30 pm–12:30 am
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 6:40 am–7:40 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Montana FWP has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: Montana FWP · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

A narrow, brushy tailwater below Clark Canyon Dam near Dillon — famous for outsized wild brown and rainbow trout in cold, willow-lined flows. A technical, big-fish river best floated with a guide.

Central District. Rainbows are catch-and-release on the whole river. Barretts Diversion to the mouth is open April 1–Sept 30 with browns released; High Bridge to Barretts keeps 5 browns under 18"; Clark Canyon Dam to High Bridge releases browns, artificial lures and single hooks only, and the dam to Pipe Organ Bridge is open the third Saturday in May through Sept 30.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Beaverhead River?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Beaverhead River you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Beaverhead River?

Beaverhead River is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Beaverhead River?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Beaverhead River against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Beaverhead River have?

Beaverhead River has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Central District. Rainbows are catch-and-release on the whole river. Barretts Diversion to the mouth is open April 1–Sept 30 with browns released; High Bridge to Barretts keeps 5 browns under 18"; Clark Canyon Dam to High Bridge releases browns, artificial lures and single hooks only, and the dam to Pipe Organ Bridge is open the third Saturday in May through Sept 30.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Beaverhead River?

state agency regulations apply at Beaverhead River. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Beaverhead River tidal water?

No. Beaverhead River is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.