Where to Fish Big Hole River


From its modest beginnings at Skinner Lake in the Beaverhead Mountains of southwest Montana, the Big Hole River flows 153 miles to its confluence with the Beaverhead River near Twin Bridges. Early explorers and settlers were drawn to the Big Hole by the sheer size, beauty, and richness of the high elevation valley or hole as the trappers called it. The Big Hole has been designated as a Blue Ribbon fishery and is one of the most heavily used fishing streams in Montana. The river remains free flowing for its entire course, adding to its uniqueness and charm. The Upper Big Hole contains the last stream-dwelling population of Arctic grayling in the lower 48 states, which has prompted many significant private partnerships and cooperative efforts to ensure the protection of this valuable population.

Mile Upper: 153.195
Mile Lower: 0.0
Mouth Latitude/Longitude: 45.56777 -112.33866
Status of the Fishery:
FWP Region: Region 3  
County: Beaverhead  •  Deer Lodge  •  Madison  •  Butte/Silver Bow
Fishing District: Central
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Waterbody Section Field Form Type Date Purpose Species
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams

Species Count Avg StdDev Min Max AvgWgt StdDevWgt MinWeight S/L Sects Surveys Waterbody
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams

Waterbody Section Species Count AveLength StdDevLength MinLength MaxLength AveWeight StdDevWeight MinWeight MaxWeight
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams

Waterbody Year Section Species Count AveLength StdDevLength MinLength MaxLength AveWeight StdDevWeight MinWeight MaxWeight
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
This is a preview, all fields will be visible by selecting a download option. For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams.

Year Species Abbrv Length Weight M/C Count Sex Mort Hook Scar Disease Scales Otolith Fin Clip Tag Comment Genetics Age Stomach Intercept Slope Gear Equipment Trip Date Pass/Run Water Section Lat/Down Lon/Down Lat/Up Lon/Up Agency Start Depth End Depth
Year River Mile Angler Days Std. Error
2021 0  to  49.91 31866 4907
2020 0  to  49.91 58873 12893
2019 0  to  49.91 49900 5092
2017 0  to  49.91 41254 5021
2015 0  to  49.91 40403 3751
2021 49.91  to  94.54 32063 4633
2020 49.91  to  94.54 47907 6217
2019 49.91  to  94.54 37904 4205
2017 49.91  to  94.54 47288 7879
2015 49.91  to  94.54 28620 3315
2021 94.54  to  153.19 5731 2346
2020 94.54  to  153.19 11357 3198
2019 94.54  to  153.19 7516 1684
2017 94.54  to  153.19 6691 2008
2015 94.54  to  153.19 7989 1548
View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.
Station Name RiverMile Website Link
Big Hole River bl Big Lake Cr at Wisdom MT 111 Link
Big Hole River bl Mudd Cr nr Wisdom MT 88 Link
Big Hole River at Maiden Rock nr Divide MT 46 Link
Big Hole River near Melrose MT 30 Link
Big Hole River near Glen MT 17 Link