Big Sky Country is brimming with wonderful spots for fishing. The clear, cold water in the lakes and rivers is a perfect habitat for trout and other freshwater fish. The list of fishing holes is as long as the Missouri River, but these are some of the best places to fish in Montana, especially perfect for casting a line. They’re popular, easy to find, and beautiful. Grab your rod and reel and see if you can catch a record-breaking fish at one of these fishing spots.

1. Smith River

The Smith River is one of the best places to fish in Montana… if you’re lucky enough to get there. Unlike other Montana rivers, anyone who wants to fish the Smith River needs a permit. Each February a drawing for permits is held. If you’re a lucky lottery winner, you’ll be catching brown and rainbow trout that average 14-16 inches long.

Let's pack up our gear and go fishing on the Smith River in Montana after watching this video from Jake Rozier showing a few good Montana fishing spots:

2. Yellowstone River

You could fish for decades and still not experience the full potential of Yellowstone. The longest undammed river in the country is gorgeous, and the fly fishing is some of the best fishing in Montana.

3. Two Medicine Lakes

Two Medicine Lakes at Glacier National Park holds a nice variety of brook trout and rainbow trout. It’s open for fishing from November 15 to September 15, so you can try for your catch of the day almost anytime.

4. Lake McDonald

One of the most popular lakes in Glacier National Park also happens to be one of the best fishing spots in Montana. In the spring and early summer, you’ll most likely catch lake trout using spinners and streamers. Though they’re a less common catch, you could also end up with a cutthroat.

5. Gallatin River

There’s an abundance of trout in this river, and the summer dry fly fishing is excellent. The Gallatin is great for beginners, especially from June through August.

6. Hyalite Reservoir

This is the place to go to try your hand at catching wild, native fish. You’ll find the Hyalite Reservoir about 19 miles south of Bozeman. But don’t get too attached to the fish you hook—it’s catch and release only.

Learn a few tips for catching cutthroat trout on the Hyalite Reservoir in this video from Bait & Catch Montana:

7. Nelson Reservoir

Fort Peck is one of the most popular fishing spots in Eastern Montana, but there are some other great waters worth exploring. The Nelson Reservoir, which is close to Malta, is full of perch and walleye as well as some lesser-known species.

8. Duck Lake

If you love rainbow trout, you’ll love Duck Lake. Located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation east of Glacier National Park, this spot draws anglers from across the country and from Canada.

9. Madison River

The Madison River has some of the best fly fishing in Montana, especially the stretch that runs from Quake Lake to Ennis. This area is called the "50-mile riffle," and it’s nice and wide and shallow.

10. Bitterroot River

Not only is the Bitterroot River beautiful, but it’s one of America’s best trout streams.

11. Ashley Lake

In the 1980s, Ashley Lake yielded a state and world-record hybrid rainbow-cutthroat trout. The Kalispell area lake remains a great place for fishing. Think you can break the record?

12. Bighorn River

The Bighorn River holds an incredible 6,000 fish per mile, many of which are 20 inches or longer. The fishing is good all year long here, though the summer months are the best and the most popular.

Enjoy even more Montana fishing in this video from Fishing Montana as they head out on the Bighorn River to see what is biting:

Will you be doing any fishing this year? Where are your favorite Montana fishing spots? Share a few of the best places to fish in Montana that you have enjoyed.

Many of Montana's State Parks are great fishing spots, too! Especially when you spend a weekend at this fantastic Madison River Fishing Cabin just outside of Yellowstone National Park.