Where to Fish Beaverhead River


Although originally formed at the confluence of the Red Rock River and Horse Prairie Creek, the Beaverhead River now begins its 69-mile-long journey at the outlet of Clark Canyon Reservoir, an irrigation storage facility constructed in 1964. It joins the Big Hole River at Twin Bridges, Montana, to form the Jefferson River. The river above Dillon is characterized by a tight channel meandering through densely covered willow banks. From Dillon, it flows through a broad open agricultural valley for 50 miles before reaching Twin Bridges. Its channel is restricted through a narrow canyon during part of its lower journey near Point of Rocks. The water in the Beaverhead River is comparatively cold, except in areas subject to dewatering, mainly located in the lower river. Fish cover primarily consists of submerged and overhanging bank vegetation, undercuts and long, deep pools.

Special Notices & Closures 

Hoot Owl Restriction - prohibits angling from 2 p.m. to midnight

From mile: 0.0 To 47.6

From Selway Bridge FAS to its confluence with the Big Hole River

Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in the upper section of the Beaverhead River for three consecutive days starting in late July and daily maximum temperatures exceeded 73 as recently as August 2nd Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in the lower section of the Beaverhead River for three consecutive days starting on July 7th Water temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06026210 near Glen and at FWP-monitored thermographs The lower section between Hwy 41 near East Bench Road and Beaverhead rock to the confluence with the Big Hole River was under Hoot Owl restrictions starting July 11th.

Mile Upper: 85.35
Mile Lower: 0.0
Mouth Latitude/Longitude: 44.99993 -112.85845
Status of the Fishery:
FWP Region: Region 3  
County: Beaverhead  •  Madison
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  75.53 38671 5903
2020 0  to  75.53 40915 5288
2019 0  to  75.53 23983 3403
2017 0  to  74.88 22033 3506
View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.
Station Name RiverMile Website Link
Beaverhead River at Barretts MT 61 Link
Beaverhead River at Dillon MT 49 Link
Beaverhead River near Twin Bridges MT 24 Link