Thompson River

Thompson River, in Montana, United States, is a river where current dictates almost everything. Rocks, undercut banks, and fallen timber are the obvious targets, but the productive water at Thompson River is often the seam between two current speeds — that's where fish wait for food to drift past. Match the size of your bait or lure to whatever insects, baitfish, or crayfish you can see in the water.

Location

47.8077, -115.0234 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Brown troutRainbow troutBrook troutSmallmouth bassCutthroat troutMountain whitefish

Fishing Techniques

• For Brown trout

  When fishing streams, focus on seams and current breaks, where trout hold to ambush prey.

• 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 Brook trout

  Fish upstream, casting into pools and runs, allowing your bait or lure to drift naturally with the current for best results.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Thompson River.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Thompson River should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for Montana before the trip. A quick weather check the morning of helps too — wind direction in particular can make or break a session at a spot like Thompson River.

Nearby Spots in Montana

See all fishing spots in Montana →

Other Fishing Regions in United States