About this tournament

Held annually on Noxon Reservoir on the lower Clark Fork, the Tri-State Open is a buddy-format bass tournament that pulls teams from Montana, Idaho, and Washington — and is widely considered the biggest bass tournament in Montana. The 2026 event runs Saturday and Sunday, July 25–26, with launches out of the Trout Creek area and weigh-ins back at the boat ramp.

Noxon Reservoir is a 7,940-acre impoundment of the Clark Fork River known for producing both quality largemouth and smallmouth bass, plus the occasional bonus pike or walleye. Late July brings a transition bite — bass are moving off post-spawn patterns onto deeper structure, with main-lake points, submerged timber, and rocky humps holding the better fish. The two-day cumulative-weight format rewards teams that can put together a consistent five-fish limit both days.

With $200-per-team entries, a competitive Tri-State field, and a community vibe around the Trout Creek ramp, the Open is a signature event on the Montana Bass Federation calendar.

Schedule

• Saturday Jul 25 — Day 1 launch from Trout Creek area; weigh-in mid-afternoon
• Sunday Jul 26 — Day 2 launch; cumulative-weight weigh-in and awards

Entry & Prizes

Entry: $200 per 2-person team. Entry forms available via the Montana Bass Federation tournaments page.

What to expect

Late July smallmouth on Noxon Reservoir push out to main-lake structure — rocky points, humps, and bluff walls in 15–30 feet of water. Drop-shot rigs with finesse worms, Ned rigs, and small swimbaits all produce. Largemouth tend to relate to submerged timber and weed lines in mid-depth bays. The Clark Fork can have current near the dam and inflow areas — current breaks hold both species. Bring a mix of finesse and reaction baits; the wind on Noxon can change everything by mid-morning.

History

The Tri-State Open has been a fixture on Noxon Reservoir for over a decade, drawing the top buddy teams from Montana, Idaho, and Washington. It’s grown into one of the most competitive and well-attended bass tournaments in the Inland Northwest.