Swan River

Running through Montana, United States, Swan River is the kind of river that fishes well at the right water level. Drop a lure or fly into the bubble line at the head of a pool and let the current swing it past holding fish. Long, slow glides at Swan River hold the bigger fish; the broken water above and below holds the smaller, more aggressive ones. Stay quiet on the bank — river fish are easily spooked.

Location

47.6825, -113.8723 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Northern pikeRainbow troutSmallmouth bassNorthern pikeminnowLake charCutthroat trout

Fishing Techniques

• For Northern pike

  Vary your retrieval speed and add pauses to entice strikes, especially in colder water.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

• For Smallmouth bass

  Focus your fishing efforts around rocky structures, ledges, and areas with current, as smallmouth bass prefer these habitats.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Swan River.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Swan River, make sure your licence covers Montana, United States and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in Montana

See all fishing spots in Montana →

Other Fishing Regions in United States