Big Hole River Facts

Location:

The Big Hole River is born in Skinner Lake high in the mountains of southwestern Montana.  For over half its length, the Big Hole flows through spectacular country.  The river is bordered by the Pintlar and Beaverhead Mountains in the west, and the smaller West Pioneer Mountains in the east. 

This area is what people think of when they hear the word “Montana”.  The river flows 188 miles until it joins the Beaverhead River to form the Jefferson River.  The upper Big Hole looks more like a small creek than a river, but it gains water and size after the confluence of the Wise River.  The river plunges into a stretch of canyon country after the confluence of the Wise River. 

Features:

The Big Hole River offers the angler a wide array of fish.  Rainbows, cutthroats, brook trout, whitefish, browns and arctic grayling inhabit the Big Hole.  The Big Hole River is the last river arctic grayling live in.  These fish are beautiful, and will greedily gobble a dry fly.  They are a treasure that should be treated with respect. 

All the fish in the Big Hole love dry flies.  That is one of the many things that makes the Big Hole River so special.  On most Montana rivers, nymphs are the kings of the river.  Not so on the Big Hole.  Many local guide’s favorite flies are dries.  The Big Hole features some blizzard type hatches; particularly early season Baetis and Mother’s Day Caddis. 

Trout in the Big Hole average 12-14 inches, but larger trout are caught on a regular basis.  The largest trout are generally caught between Wise River and Melrose. On the Big Hole, the fishing is best when the weather is cloudy and dark.  A stable river flow is much more conducive to fishing than one that is rising a falling. 

Seasonal Strategies:

Hatches begin coming off in March or early April with midges taking center stage.  Mid-April sees the arrival of Baetis and March Browns.  Look for the best Baetis action on days that are dark and rainy.  May and September are considered the best months on the Big Hole.  May has two of the best and most prolific hatches on the Big Hole, Mother’s Day Caddis and an explosive Baetis hatch.  Both of these hatches have the potential to become blizzard hatches. 

June sees a legendary Salmonfly hatch.  While this hatch is sometimes hard to catch, it is well worth your while.   July through mid-August offer the Big Hole’s summer fishing.  Try an attractor like a Wulff to catch fish hand over fist.  By mid-August, the water is low enough and warm enough to effectively shut down fishing until September. 

When the weather cools in September, try dragging a Bugger-type fly through a deep pool.  Fall is when the big browns come out in Montana, so be ready for a big one.  Fishing stays good until October.  Whenever you decide to fish the Big Hole, it will be an experience to remember.

Special Regulations:

The general season runs from the third Saturday in May through November 30. 

All boaters are limited to two launches per day. 

Catch and release all grayling and cutthroats.

There are numerous floating restrictions in effect for the Big Hole, check with a local outfitter before floating.

Access and River Mileage:

Numerous official fishing access sites dot the banks of the Big Hole River.  The upper river is mostly privately owned, but access is made possible thanks to numerous bridge crossings. 

The Big Hole River flows 188 miles from its source to its confluence with the Beaverhead River.  Before floating, check for special regulations regarding nonresident and outfitter floating. 

Special Cautions:

Watch for rattlesnakes on the lower river, especially near Notch Bottom.