Jefferson River in Montana

The Jefferson River, stretching 80 miles through fertile Montana farmland, is rich with brown trout and provides the lifeblood to dozens of farming communities along its path. Fishing the Jefferson River is best by boat, where patient use of nymphs and hoppers can yield trophy-sized brown trout to anglers of all skill levels.

A slow moving river with a meandering nature, the Jefferson River is a dream for those who enjoy fishing for the dry-fly eschewing brown trout. Angling for rainbow trout is strictly catch and release. Fishing by boat is recommended on the Jefferson River, due to lack of quality access points and the depth of the river in many places. Once on a boat, however, the uncrowded nature of the river coupled with gentle floating conditions can make for an unforgettable fishing experience through beautiful broad, dry valleys of Montana.

The Jefferson River originates in Twin Bridges, Montana, with the confluence of the Beaverhead River and Big Hole River. Because water from the river is used to help sustain the regional agriculture, flows on the Jefferson River can fluctuate throughout the year, reducing it to a trickle by the time it reaches the Missouri River Headwaters State Park, 80 miles downstream from its origin.