GREAT FALLS AREA FISHING REPORT
September 3rd, 2026
Lower Mo
Dam Temps: 65.7°F
Cascade CFS: 3,430 cfs
Ulm CFS: 3,510 cfs
Morony Dam CFS: 3,930 cfs
Fort Benton CFS: 4,660 cfs
Missouri River Pelican Point Down
It appears fall is on its way. We have been experiencing cooler nighttime temperatures, and this weekend looks to be some great Baetis weather. The colder temperatures will get fish moving and out of those nasty weeds we have been seeing for the last couple of weeks. If you are looking to trout fish this section this weekend, be prepared with a rain jacket, some BWO patterns and 5x tippet! When those clouds roll in, take it slow going down the river and keep your eyes peeled for risers in the slower water. There is a chance for many different sizes of Baetis-like bugs, so having everything from 16s to 22s. A range of sizes will prove beneficial. The weeds will still be coming down the river heavily, so fishing a heavy nymph rig or a streamer will be tricky, but it can be done.
Recommended Flies
Todd Smith's Brianne Dun size 16-18; Kris Keller's Rocky Mountain Mint size 16-18 in Purple; Eric Paramore’s Thunderthigh’s size 8-12 in Peach, Yellow, or Tan; Kris Keller’s Henneberry Hopper size 10-12 in Yellow, Pink, or Green; Arrick Swanson’s Arrick’s Ant size 16, 18; Kelly Galloup’s Ant Acid size 14 or 16 in Black and Red or Cinnamon; George Daniel’s Gasolina Perdigon size 18, 20;Greg Garcia’s Darth Baetis in grey size 18, 20; Fred Telleen’s JZ in Tan
Cascade Downstream
With the weather we are going to see this weekend, the pike will be on the hunt. This kind of weather will keep them feeding throughout the day rather than just during those low light situations. Still, the afternoons and evenings seem to still be when they are most active. Just like with trout, a darker day will require a darker fly. Fishing the eddies and slow water from Cascade down to Great Falls, and even below Morony Dam, will be where they sit. Where there is slack water and structure, there is most likely pike. An under-the-arm two handed retrieve has been successful lately. However, going slow and pausing in those deeper holes can trigger a reaction as well.
Pike Flies
Tommy Lynch’s Drunk and Disorderly; Dan Soltau’s Wild Thing Diver; Matt Grajewski’s Yardsale Black, Chartreuse/ White, Olive/ White; Satkowkis Devil Tail
Carp
The water is finally on its way back up from the work that was being done on Black Eagle Dam. But this cooler weather is definitely going to slow the carp fishing down significantly. It is probably not worth trying to fish for carp this weekend with the cold, cloudy, and rainy weather we expect to see. But give it some time and during the next batch of warm, sunny weather, the carp could be back up on the mud flats feeding away.
Carp Flies
Andrew Grillo’s Carpholio Brown or Olive size 4; Chase Smith’s Carp Nugget Olive or Craw; Fulling Mill’s Carp Worm; Dick’s Carp Magic; Detroit Mop City
Blackfoot
Hoot Owl Restrictions have been lifted. However, putting in or floating past the Weigh Station ramp is still prohibited according to Montana FWP.
With the rain in the forecast this weekend, be prepared for a little color to be added to the river. Especially if you are fishing below any of the smaller feeder creeks, that add a few more CFS to the river. With the cooler weather, be ready for batches of bugs to come back. There is potential to see caddis, Baetis, and even some larger mayflies in the mix. Fishing flies like the Purple Rocky Mountain Mint in a 14 or 16 will work for a dry fly, and trying some darker mayfly nymphs will be productive when those temps drop. Don't be afraid to throw a small jig streamer or Micro Dungeon around, especially in the mornings.
Clark Fork
Hoot Owl restrictions have been lifted. Be prepared for flows to change a bit this weekend and into the next week with rain in the forecast. A standard dry/dropper rig will rip, but don't be afraid to change that nymph around a bit. Larger Montana Prince's or a #14 Blowtorch could be the ticket with that cold weather. It seems that streamer season could be on its way, so in the mornings a Dungeon or Sparkle Minnow could produce a healthy fish.
Creeks and Lakes
Flows are low right now for most of our area's creeks and lakes. The frontage lakes are incredibly low, and there is a significant weed edge that can be hard to fight fish through or get a kick boat out past. Fishing these lakes can be rewarded with large and feisty fish but getting to them is the trick. A kayak or drift boat would work better if you can get the boat down to the water.
The creeks will see a flow change and probably a color change as well this weekend with the weather forecasted. A hopper/dropper is still the preferred method of fishing, but trying a small jig streamer could produce a large fish this weekend.
Flies For Freestones
Eric Paramore’s Thunderthigh’s Hopper in Pink or Yellow size 8-14; Kris Keller’s Henneberry Hopper Yellow or Tan size 8-12; Kelly Galloup’s Ant Acid Black and Red size 14; Doug Prince Purple Prince Nymph size 16; Brita Fordice's Sir Sticks Alot in Brown, Olive, or Black
CURRENT HOOT OWL RESTRICTIONS:
https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures
MISSOURI RIVER WEATHER FORECAST
OTHER REPORTS WE LIKE TO FOLLOW
Missouri River fishing reports aren't always the same. One stretch of the river may fish better than others which is why we like to check a number of different fishing reports from other shops in the area. We've gathered our favorite fishing report sources in the links below.