Fishing in Beaverhead County, Montana
County seat: Dillon. Census 2020 residents: 9,371.
- 9lake pages
- 7ramps
- 4river pages
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Beaverhead County water by the FWP numbers
Beaverhead County runs its courthouse out of Dillon, and the 2020 Census tallied 9,371 residents. Census Gazetteer mapping gives it 5,543 square miles of land and 30.2 square miles of water. Of the 9 lakes and reservoirs given pages in the county, Clark Canyon Reservoir spreads widest. Wading anglers can open Big Hole River, Beaverhead River and Blacktail Deer Creek.
County totals from FWP: 7 ramps and 6 other fishing sites without a ramp. 188,236 fish went into 2 waters of the county in 2026, per 3 plant rows. The book breaks from the district chart on 7 waters here.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 12, 2026. FWP Fishing Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service) and the FishMT site pages, read November 12, 2026.
FWP access points and lakes laid out across Beaverhead County
FWP Fishing Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service) and the FishMT site pages, read November 12, 2026. Lake pins are the FWP reference point for each water.
Montana reservoirs worth fishing in Beaverhead County
| Lake | Size | Access sites | Kind | MFISH lists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Canyon Reservoir | 4,815 acres | 0 | reservoir | brown trout, burbot, mountain whitefish |
| Lima Reservoir | 4,422 acres | 0 | reservoir | burbot, Yellowstone cutthroat trout |
| Upper Red Rock Lake | 2,948 acres | 0 | natural lake | Arctic grayling, burbot |
| Lower Red Rock Lake | 1,913 acres | 0 | natural lake | burbot |
| Swan Lake (Beaverhead County) | 383 acres | 0 | natural lake | burbot |
| Elk Lake (Beaverhead County) | 207 acres | 0 | natural lake | burbot, lake trout, Westslope cutthroat trout |
| Mussigbrod Lake | 105 acres | 0 | natural lake | brook trout, burbot |
| Twin Lakes | 84 acres | 0 | natural lake | brook trout, burbot, lake trout |
| Lower Miner Lakes | 66 acres | 0 | natural lake | brook trout, burbot, rainbow trout |
Size as the FWP FishMT page for this water prints it (FishMT), read November 12, 2026. Waters with no FishMT size print their mapped outline instead. Montana FWP Lakes reference layer (ArcGIS service) and the MFISH fish distribution layers, read November 12, 2026.
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Lake lists inside 60 miles of Dillon mention rainbow trout most often.
FWP MFISH presence layers, counted per lake page within 60 miles; presence in a layer, not a catch survey. FWP MFISH fish distribution layer (ArcGIS service), read November 12, 2026. Presence is mapping data, not a catch report.
Creeks winding through Beaverhead County
- Big Hole Riverexception rules, 10 access sites, 4 USGS gauges
- Beaverhead Riverexception rules, 6 access sites, 4 USGS gauges
- Blacktail Deer Creekexception rules, 1 access site
- Red Rock Riverexception rules, 1 USGS gauge
Streamflow numbers recorded in Beaverhead County
USGS has no current reading for these gauges.
Montana FWP MFISH stream layers (ArcGIS service) for this river, read November 12, 2026. USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Public ramps in Beaverhead County
- George Grant Memorial Fishing Access Site on Big Hole Riverfishing access site, ramp (concrete), concrete surface, 4 acres; Beaverhead County
- Glen Fishing Access Site on Big Hole Riverfishing access site, ramp (concrete), concrete surface, 8 acres; Beaverhead County
- Grasshopper Fishing Access Site on Beaverhead Riverfishing access site, ramp (concrete), concrete surface, 2 acres; Beaverhead County
- Henneberry Fishing Access Site on Beaverhead Riverfishing access site, ramp (gravel), gravel surface, 642 acres; Beaverhead County
- Maidenrock Fishing Access Site on Big Hole Riverfishing access site, ramp (gravel), gravel surface, 196 acres; Beaverhead County
- Pipe Organ Fishing Access Site on Beaverhead Riverfishing access site, ramp (concrete), concrete surface, 6 acres; Beaverhead County
- Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site on Big Hole Riverfishing access site, ramp (concrete), concrete surface, 12 acres; Beaverhead County
Walk-in river access across Beaverhead County
- Blacktail Meadows Fishing Access Site on Blacktail Deer Creekfishing access site, no boat facilities, 14 acres; Beaverhead County
- High Bridge Fishing Access Site on Beaverhead Riverfishing access site, hand launch, 10 acres; Beaverhead County
- Poindexter Slough Fishing Access Site on Beaverhead Riverfishing access site, no boat facilities, 408 acres; Beaverhead County
- Cornell Park Fishing Access Sitefishing access site, no boat facilities; Beaverhead County
- Corrals Fishing Access Site on Beaverhead Riverfishing access site, no boat facilities, 3 acres; Beaverhead County
- Selway Park Fishing Access Sitefishing access site, no boat facilities; Beaverhead County
FWP Fishing Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service) and the FishMT site pages, read November 12, 2026.
Other named Montana lakes of Beaverhead County, one line apiece
- Lake Agnesabout 109 acres of mapped outline
- Reservoir Lakeabout 41 acres of mapped outline
- Sand Lakeabout 39 acres of mapped outline
- Brownes Lakeabout 36 acres of mapped outline
- Baldy Lakeabout 28 acres of mapped outline
- Morrison Lakeabout 23 acres of mapped outline
- Tendoy Lakeabout 22 acres of mapped outline
- Deerhead Lakeabout 21 acres of mapped outline
- Sawtooth Lakeabout 20 acres of mapped outline
- Mystic Lake (Beaverhead County)about 19 acres of mapped outline
- Kelley Reservoirabout 18 acres of mapped outline
- Bear Lakeabout 14 acres of mapped outline
- Lily Lake (Beaverhead County)about 14 acres of mapped outline
- Minneopa Lakeabout 12 acres of mapped outline
- Van Houten Lakeabout 11 acres of mapped outline
- Rainbow Lake (Beaverhead County)about 10 acres of mapped outline
- Widgeon Pondabout 90 acres of mapped outline
- Hirschy Reservoirabout 64 acres of mapped outline
- Larsen Sloughabout 61 acres of mapped outline
- Conklin Lakeabout 55 acres of mapped outline
- Estler Lakeabout 48 acres of mapped outline
- Pear Lakeabout 47 acres of mapped outline
- Upper Miner Lakesabout 40 acres of mapped outline
- Pintler Lakeabout 39 acres of mapped outline
- Fish Creek Lakeabout 39 acres of mapped outline
- Hamby Lakeabout 36 acres of mapped outline
- Blomquist Reservoirabout 34 acres of mapped outline
- Odell Lakeabout 33 acres of mapped outline
- Mud Lakeabout 32 acres of mapped outline
- Culver Pondabout 32 acres of mapped outline
- Waukena Lakeabout 31 acres of mapped outline
- Torrey Lakeabout 31 acres of mapped outline
- Upper Miner Lakesabout 30 acres of mapped outline
- Boot Lakeabout 29 acres of mapped outline
- Crescent Lakeabout 29 acres of mapped outline
- Wheats Lakeabout 28 acres of mapped outline
- Lena Lakeabout 25 acres of mapped outline
- Mud Lakeabout 24 acres of mapped outline
- Green Lakeabout 24 acres of mapped outline
- Englejard Reservoirabout 20 acres of mapped outline
Outline area from the FWP Lakes reference layer (ArcGIS service; mapped polygon area, not an FWP surface-acre figure), read November 12, 2026. Names come from the FWP Lakes reference layer; no page and no fish list for these waters.
Where the regulation book breaks from the district chart in Beaverhead County
The rules here are from the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, valid March 1, 2026 through the end of February 2027; FWP had published no 2027 booklet when this was checked.
- Beaverhead RiverRainbow trout: Catch-and-release only. (BEAVERHEAD RIVER)
- Big Hole RiverCatch-and-release for arctic grayling. (BIG HOLE RIVER)
- Blacktail Deer CreekCombined trout: all may be cutthroat trout. (BLACKTAIL DEER CREEK (Beaverhead River drainage))
- Clark Canyon ReservoirBurbot (Ling): 3 over 23 inches daily and in possession. (CLARK CANYON RESERVOIR)
- Elk Lake (Beaverhead County)The Narrows Creek spawning channel is closed to angling. (ELK LAKE (Beaverhead County))
- Red Rock RiverOpen entire year except May 1 through June 14. (RED ROCK CREEK (Beaverhead River drainage))
- Twin LakesCatch-and-release for lake trout. (TWIN LAKES (Big Hole River drainage))
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
Fish delivered to Beaverhead County waters, per FWP
| Date | Water as FishMT prints it | Fish | Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 30, 2026 | Clark Canyon Reservoir | 154,216 | Rainbow trout |
| May 14, 2026 | Elk Lake | 17,010 | Westslope cutthroat trout |
| May 7, 2026 | Elk Lake | 17,010 | Westslope cutthroat trout |
FWP FishMT stocking report for 2026, year to date (FishMT plant report), read November 12, 2026.
FWP state records tied to Beaverhead County water
| Species | Weight or length as listed | Water | Year | Marked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah chub | 2.39 lbs. | Canyon Ferry Lake | 2022 | not marked native |
| Kokanee salmon | 7.85 lbs. | Hauser Reservoir | 2003 | not marked native |
| Longnose sucker | 4.78 lbs. | Hauser Reservoir | 2022 | native |
| Mountain whitefish | 5.11 lbs. | Hauser Reservoir | 2007 | native |
Montana state record fish as FWP lists them (records page), read November 12, 2026.
The weigh-in calendar for Beaverhead County
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 23, 2027 | Stan Shafer Memorial Ice Fishing Derby | Clark Canyon Reservoir | Beaverhead Search & Rescue |
Event as listed by the organizer (source), read November 12, 2026.
Montana tackle shops and guides in Beaverhead County
Where to buy flies and jigs near Beaverhead County
- Anderson & Plattbait and tackle shop, Dillon
- Complete Flyfisherfly shop, Wise River
- Frontier Anglersbait and tackle shop, Dillon
- The Complete Fly Fisherfly shop, Wise River
- The Rod Shopbait and tackle shop, Wise River
- Tom Smith's Backcountry Anglerbait and tackle shop, Dillon
- Troutfitters Incbait and tackle shop, Wise River
Montana guide services that fish Beaverhead County
- Big Hole Lodgefishing guide, Wise River, (406) 832-3252
- Five Rivers Lodgefishing guide, Dillon, (800) 378-5006
- LaMarche Creek Outfittingfishing guide, Wise River
- M and M Outfittersfishing guide, Dillon
Yellow Pages, State Parks and operator listings (city of business), read November 12, 2026. Guides are listed as businesses; no licence status is implied.
Minutes from Beaverhead County on Montana roads
Montana home bases for fishing Beaverhead County
- Dillon2020 count 3,880
The Montana counties around Beaverhead County
- Madison County49 miles east
- Silver Bow County54 miles north
- Deer Lodge County67 miles north
- Jefferson County79 miles northeast
Piscifun rods, reels and pliers worth a look before Montana water at Beaverhead County
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Divide-country water near Beaverhead County, on camera
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: TravelingOtter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Montana and Dakotas, Public domain
Photo: Phil Price, CC BY-SA 2.0
Short Big Sky replies about fishing Beaverhead County
Can a Montana drift boat or kayak go in the water in Beaverhead County?
FWP and State Parks list 7 ramps, named above with directions.
Which lake tops the Montana size figures for Beaverhead County?
Clark Canyon Reservoir, at 4,815 acres.
Which fish does MFISH list near Beaverhead County?
MFISH names rainbow trout on the most lake pages within 60 miles, then burbot, Arctic grayling and brook trout; the layer shows presence, not a catch.
Is a Montana tackle shop listed in Beaverhead County?
7 in all, including Anderson & Platt.
Which town is the seat for Beaverhead County?
County offices sit in Dillon.
How much does FWP charge to fish in Beaverhead County?
Anglers 12 and older buy a Conservation License, an aquatic invasive species pass and a fishing license; the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations prints $8, $2 and $21 for a resident full season and $10, $7.50 and $100 for a nonresident.
Which counties lie next to Beaverhead County?
By center point: Madison County, Silver Bow County and Deer Lodge County.
What do the limits look like for Beaverhead County water?
Limits depend on the FWP fishing district and on any exception heading printed for the water; the Western, Central and Eastern district pages on this site give the charts. The rules here are from the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, valid March 1, 2026 through the end of February 2027; FWP had published no 2027 booklet when this was checked.
Do any Beaverhead County waters have their own rules?
7 waters with a page here carry their own exception lines, beginning with Beaverhead River.
Does FWP stock fish in Beaverhead County?
The 2026 plant report lists 188,236 fish in 3 rows across 2 waters in the county.
Do Montana clubs hold events in Beaverhead County?
1 entry on file; the next is Stan Shafer Memorial Ice Fishing Derby on Clark Canyon Reservoir, Jan. 23, 2027.
Pick a Montana lake or creek in Beaverhead County
Open a lake for its ramps, limits and readings.