Missouri River Fishing Report – April

Missouri River Fishing Report – April 2026 Updated April 6, 2026

The Missouri River fishing report for April 2026 is a good one. Flows are holding steady at 3,100 CFS, water temps are pushing into the low-to-mid 40s, and the crowds haven’t arrived yet. If you’ve been thinking about booking one of our Missouri River float trips, this is a great time to be on the water.

April Fishing Report: Current Conditions

Flows: 3,100 CFS | Water Temp: 40–41°F | Conditions: Excellent

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What’s Hatching

Midges. That’s the whole story right now. Afternoon activity picks up on warmer days and the cluster midge action can get downright fun. Watch the flat water between noon and 3pm — that’s where you’ll find fish looking up. BWOs are on the horizon as water temps climb into May, but right now it’s all midges.

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Nymphing

The most consistent play of the day, all day. Get deep and stay there. The Pill Popper, Scuds, and Firebead Ray are all producing. Depth and a clean drift matter more than fly selection right now. If you’re not getting down, you’re not in the game.

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Streamers and Trout Spey

Both have been moving bigger fish. Slow your swing way down — these fish aren’t chasing in 40-degree water. The Fruit Roll-Up, flashy stuff, and leeches have been the top producers. Most grabs are coming at the end of the swing, so don’t lift early.

On our last float from Dearborn to Mid-Cannon, streamer fishing was very good. Gold and silver Kreelex was the top producers. We moved some fish in the shallows, but most came out of deeper, slower water. If you want to swing flies for big Missouri browns, read more about trout spey on the Missouri.

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Dry Flies

Afternoon only. Tie on a Single Midge, Cluster Midge, Adams, or Griffith’s Gnat and find rising fish. Long leader, soft presentation, slack line drifts. Don’t rush it — these fish have seen pressure and they’ll tell you when the drift is off.

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Top Flies

Dry Flies: Single Midge · Cluster Midge · Griffith’s Gnat Nymphs: Sowbugs · Scuds · Worm Streamers: Fruit Roll-Up · Bugger · Kreelex

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Guide Tips – Spawning Fish

Rainbows are spawning. The fish below Holter Dam are wild and naturally reproducing — that matters. When you’re wading, stay in the deeper travel lanes. If you see fish sitting on shallow gravel, give them a wide berth. Those are spawners. Leave them alone. Stay out.

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Looking Ahead

BWOs are coming. The river is starting to wake up and the hatches will diversify through May and into June — BWOs, then Caddis, then PMDs showing up mid-June to kick off the best dry fly fishing of the year.

Report current as of April 6, 2026 | Missouri River below Holter Dam, Craig, Montana