Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in Montana
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Rainbow Trout
Verified
World Record
48 lb 0 oz
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Signature Fact
Siblings from one nest can grow up as 8-inch creek fish or 20‑plus‑pound ocean‑run steelhead, then spawn together.
2
Cutthroat trout
Verified
World Record
41 lb 0 oz
John Skimmerhorn / 1925
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
John Skimmerhorn / 1925
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
Signature Fact
The heaviest cutthroat ever verified came from Pyramid Lake's Lahontan strain, a freak of freshwater heft topping 40 pounds.
3
Brown Trout
Verified
World Record
44 lb 5 oz
Seumas Petrie / 2020
Ohau Canal, Twizel, New Zealand
Seumas Petrie / 2020
Ohau Canal, Twizel, New Zealand
Signature Fact
Brown trout have been filmed snatching low-flying bats off the water-night monsters with a mammal habit.
4
Northern Pike
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
55 lb 1 oz
Lothar Louis / 1986
Lake of Grefeern, Germany
Lothar Louis / 1986
Lake of Grefeern, Germany
Signature Fact
Unlike most fish, they launch with an S-start burst-arrow-straight acceleration that nails prey with sniper precision.
5
Smallmouth Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 15 oz
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
Signature Fact
In winter, they huddle in massive "sleep piles"-hundreds nose-to-current, barely twitching for weeks.
6
Yellow Walleye
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
25 lb 0 oz
Mabry Harper / 1960
Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee
Mabry Harper / 1960
Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee
Signature Fact
Those glassy eyes pack a mirror-layered retina that lets them hunt in near-darkness-and glow under headlamps.
7
Channel Catfish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
58 lb 0 oz
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Signature Fact
With over 100,000 taste buds, its whole skin acts like a tongue hunting through muddy darkness.
8
Largemouth Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
9
Common Carp
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
75 lb 11 oz
Colin Smith / 2013
Lac de Saint-Cassien, France
Colin Smith / 2013
Lac de Saint-Cassien, France
Signature Fact
They remember being hooked for over a year, dodging that same rig and flavor like seasoned veterans.
10
Lake Trout
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
72 lb 0 oz
Lloyd Bull / 1995
Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories
Lloyd Bull / 1995
Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories
Signature Fact
A deepwater "siscowet" morph packs ~35% body fat-so oily 1800s fishermen rendered it for lamp oil.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Montana?
In Montana, you can catch rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow walleye, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and common carp.
What is the best time of year to fish in Montana?
Spring through fall is prime for most freshwater species in Montana. Trout action heats up as the water warms.
Where are the best places to fish in Montana?
Montana has top freshwater fishing across its rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Look for spots with strong trout, pike, or bass presence.
What gear do you need for fishing in Montana?
Bring medium spinning or baitcasting gear for pike and bass, and lighter tackle for trout. Adjust your setup based on the species you’re targeting.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Montana?
Rainbow trout, channel catfish, and common carp are often the most accessible catches in Montana’s freshwater.
