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Montana Fishing Guide

Smith River

Smith River Red Ribbon Stream

Tributary of Missouri River.
(River Mile: 0 to 121)
Launch Interactive Map
The Smith River is nationally one of the most well known streams in the U.S., in large part because of the unique experience it offers. For visitors from all over Montana and across the country lucky enough to draw float permits, the Smith River float, with access to a 59-mile stretch of river only at its upper and lower ends, holds a pristine adventure. The river begins its 121-mile journey near the town of White Sulphur Springs where the North and South forks of the Smith merge. For much of its course, the mainstem runs through a broad valley between the Big Belt Mountains on the west and the Little Belt and Castle Mountains on the east. From Camp Baker, the upper public access point to the canyon, the Smith carries rafters and canoers through a deep, rock-walled passage with great fishing, floating, and boat camping. Emerging at the canyon's lower end, the stream meanders on through rolling grass-covered hills until it reaches the Missouri, near Ulm.

Total Length:  121 miles
FWP Region:  Region 4
Fishing District:  Central Fishing District



Species Present
Game Fish Opportunities:
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Burbot, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout
All Species Present:
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Burbot, Fathead Minnow, Flathead Chub, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Sucker, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Stonecat, White Sucker, Yellow Perch, Common Carp
NOTE: There may be game fish present (including Species of Concern) that are not listed in the game fish category due to low numbers for that fish or special regulations. Until you identify your catch, please handle all fish carefully. Thank you.

Fishing Regulations
Standard Fishing Regulations for the Central Fishing District
The standard fishing regulations for the fishing district(s) apply. Please check your copy of the regulations, or visit the site(s) linked above for more information.
Exceptions to Standard Regulations
Applies to entire water body:
Floating on the Smith River between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge is strictly limited. Mandatory registration, floater's fee and other regulations apply. A drawing for launch dates is held in February with remaining launches filled on a first-come basis. Contact the Great Falls FWP office at 406-454-5840 for more information.
Downstream From Confluence Of North And South Forks
Open entire year.
Camp Baker Bridge To Eden Bribge (Huntsberger Bridge)
Artificial lures only, except anglers 14 years of age and younger may use bait.
Combined Trout: 3 under 13 inches daily and in possession and 1 over 22 inches daily and in possession.
Boating Regulations

Standard Boating Regulations for the State of Montana

Exceptions to Standard Boating Regulations for Smith River
Regulation Description & Exceptions
Closed to all motorboats

Fishing Access Sites
Fort Logan  River Mile: 90
The Smith River State Park is a unique 59-mile river corridor within Montana’s 50 state parks. The Smith River between Camp Baker (launch site) and Eden Bridge (take-out site) is the only river corridor managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a permitted river. Permits for private floats on the Smith River are allocated to the public via a lottery system prior to the spring season. Permit applications are typically available the first week of January each year, with the application deadline of mid-February. For additional information on the Smith River program, please contact the Smith River Park Manager at (406) 454-5840.   Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  216 acre(s).
Smith River State Park River Mile: 82
Indian Education For All Lesson Plan The Smith River is a unique 59-mile river corridor. Permits are required to float the stretch of Smith River between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge. Noted for its spectacular scenery and blue-ribbon trout fishery, the Smith River is unique in that it has only one public put-in and one public take-out for the entire 59-mile segment of river. Boat camps located along the remote river canyon help preserve the unique quality of this area. Visit the Smith River Floating web page for more information. The Smith River between Camp Baker (launch site) and Eden Bridge (take-out site) is the only river corridor managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a permitted river. Permits for private floats on the Smith River are allocated to the public via a lottery system prior to the spring season. Permit applications are typically available the first week of January each year, with the application deadline of mid-February.   Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 
Truly Bridge  River Mile: 9
Day floats on Smith River.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  11 acre(s).
Lower Smith River  River Mile: 4
  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  4 acre(s).
NOTE: All river Fishing Access Sites (FAS) are listed in descending order by river mile from headwaters to mouth. The mouth of a stream is its confluence with another body of water and is considered mile 0.


Fishing Pressure
Mouth to Hound Creek   (River Mile: 0 to 24)
Year Days Fished¹ Trips² State Rank³ Regional Rank³
2007 4,172 55 109 19
2005 4,238 72 120 24
2003 3,153 86 143 26
2001 3,115 86 142 27
1999 4,324 108 123 27

Hound Creek to Camp Baker   (River Mile: 24 to 81)
Year Days Fished¹ Trips² State Rank³ Regional Rank³
2007 8,375 157 63 9
2005 14,188 322 51 8
2003 6,854 188 88 15
2001 9,088 237 64 10
1999 7,645 211 83 16

Camp Baker to Headwaters   (River Mile: 81 to 121)
Year Days Fished¹ Trips² State Rank³ Regional Rank³
2007 7,647 136 69 12
2005 8,860 181 73 11
2003 8,445 222 72 10
2001 4,306 114 122 24
1999 8,223 231 79 14

¹  Estimated yearly fishing use in angler days (one angler fishing one body of water in one day for any amount of time).
²  The number of times that a section of water was reported as having been fished (used to estimate the number of "Days Fished").
³  How this section of water ranked among all surveyed sections in the state or region, based on "Days Fished" in a survey year.
 
Gauging Stations
Smith River bl Eagle Cr nr Fort Logan MT
View Data | River Mile: 79

 
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This page is from the Montana FWP ~ Montana Fishing Guide. [http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1114790474133]
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 4:22:34 PM