Beaverhead River Montana – one of the state’s best tailwater fisheries. Located near the trout town of Dillon, the narrow river has controlled flows, spring influence for cold flows and some huge trout. There are deep undercut banks and every cast has the potential to turn loose a trophy brown trout. The river is most popular directly below Clark Canyon Reservoir but it runs for 85 miles before it’s confluence with the Jefferson River.
Beaverhead River Flows And Weather
Rapids and Float Notes
Class – I-II
There are not any major rapids on the Beaverhead. The obstacles are more related to other boats, bridge pylons, irrigation and diversion dams. There is one wave with boulders roughly 2 miles below the dam as well. It’s an easy drop in a raft, a hard boat may hit a boulder. Otherwise, floaters going between designated launch sites have a pretty clear path. The river is slow and meandering, leaving time to pull over and scout if you see an obstacle.
Fishing Access Sites and Boat Ramps
Clark Canyon Dam – Right below the dam. You can drop a boat of a short but somewhat steep slide.
High Bridge – If you don’t want to dodge wade fisherman or want the jump on dam traffic, follow the river frontage road to the first underpass. You can drop a boat by the bridge.
Henneberry – Most float traffic runs from the dam to Henneberry. It’s around 7 miles downstream from the dam launch on the river frontage road.
Pipe Organ – A few miles down from Henneberry is the Pipe Organ launch.
Grasshopper – 5 miles down from Pipe Organ. Grasshopper Creek is a neat fishery in it’s own right.
Corrals – 1 mile down from Grasshopper.
Barret’s Dam – 1 more mile down.
Shuttle Services
Frontier Anglers – Convenient location in Dillon. 406-683-5276
Beaverhead River Fishing Regulations
Entire River
- Combined Trout: 5 daily and in possession, 1 over 18 inches, only 1 may be a rainbow trout.
Clark Canyon Dam to Pipe Organ Bridge
- Open third Saturday in May through November 30.
High Bridge FAS to Henneberry FAS
- Closed to float fishing by nonresidents and float outfitting on each Saturday from the third Saturday in May through Labor Day.
Henneberry FAS to Pipe Organ Bridge
- Closed to float fishing by nonresidents and float outfitting on each Saturday from the third Saturday in May through Labor Day.
Downstream from Pipe Organ Bridge
- Open entire year.
Highway 91 South Bridge (Tash Bridge) to Selway Bridge
- Closed to float outfitting from the third Saturday in May through Labor Day.
