Missouri River Fishing Report: Perfect April Conditions
Angela Montana·April 3, 2026
The Missouri is currently in that “sweet spot” phase—the water is waking up, but the summer crowds are still stuck in their winter daydreams. With flows holding steady at 3,100 CFS and temps flirting with the mid-40s, the river is officially open for business. Whether you’re hunting midge-sippers in the afternoon flats, swinging a slow Kreelex for a moody brown, or dredging the depths with a Scud, the “Mighty Mo” is delivering the goods. It’s the perfect time to grab a 5-weight and beat the rush, just remember to watch your step around the spawning gravel—the fish are working hard, so we don’t have to.
Missouri River Fishing Report – April 2026Updated April 2, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Dry Flies
Afternoon only. Tie on a Single Midge, Cluster Midge, Adams, or Griffith’s Gnat and find rising fish. Long leader, soft presentation, slackline drifts. Don’t rush it, these fish have seen pressure and they’ll tell you when the drift is off.
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.
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
