Boulder River Montana – This beautiful river dumps out of the Absorka Beartooth mountains and wilderness area. It’s a fast river pushing through to the Yellowstone River near Big Timber. The fishing can be great, the floating is technical and not drift boat friendly and most of the river is running through private land.
Flows And Weather
Rapids and Float Notes
The river is fast and furious. It’s not huge rapids but it moves quickly and is very technical. And dangerous. Be prepared for sweepers and obstacles. Talk to a shop or someone who has floated it recently to check hazard conditions.
The floating season is also limited to high water here. When it starts jumping in May and June, this is your window. The upper river runs through public lands and is aggressive plunge pools and whitewater suited for experienced kayakers.
After the river runs through the natural bridge and waterfall, it runs through mostly private lands on it’s way to the Yellowstone. This is the focus of most fisherman floating the river.
Shuttle Services
Plaggemeyer Shuttles – 406-930-1431, 406-220-0041
River Specific Fishing Regulations
Entire River & Tributaries
- Open Entire Year.
- Combined Trout: 2 daily and in possession, only 1 over 13 inches, includes cutthroat trout.
Tips for Fishing the Boulder River Montana
The fast water creates great trout habitat with cold flows and plenty of oxygen. The upper river has great pocket water that is built for high floating dry flies. You can run a dropper rig as well. Attractors will get it done most days but specific stonefly and mayfly hatches can call for specific flies. The lower river broadens a bit but still moves quickly with boulders, log jams and undercut banks. Streamers are a good way to move some of the bigger fish hiding those hard to reach places as well.
