The Sportsman’s Lodge is the perfect place to stop by during your next Montana fishing adventure. Located in Ennis, this lodge is very popular with fisherman due to its convenient location close to many world-class fishing spots, including numerous blue ribbon rivers. On top of this, the Sportsman’s Lodge has delicious food, a friendly atmosphere, cozy rooms, and plenty of parking space for boats, rafts, and more. There is no better place for you to stay, and no better place to fish. Listed below are some of the best fishing areas around the Sportsman’s Lodge to check out during the fishing season.
The picturesque Madison River is full of breathtaking beauty with stunning views of rugged mountains and fresh foliage. It’s also a top fishing destination with a plethora of fish, especially trout. Certified as a blue ribbon river, the Madison is known to be one of the best rivers in America for its quantity and quality of trout species, which include rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. Some waters throughout the river are on the shallower side, while other spots are much deeper, but it boasts a strong current throughout. This beautiful river also runs through three amazing fishing lakes: Ennis, Hebgen, and Quake—and the stretches of river between these lakes tend to be fishing hot spots.
Over 80 miles long, the wide Jefferson River is another great fishing spot, primarily for brown trout. Fishing boats are a popular choice to use in this river, as wade fishing can be a challenge due to the river’s deep waters and high banks. This river’s water runs slowly in comparison to a river such as the Madison, which could be a pro or a con depending on the kinds of rivers you enjoy fishing in.
The Beaverhead River flows into the Jefferson River and is full of twists and turns, making for both a challenging and exciting fishing adventure. Large brown trout swim in this river and are in abundance throughout many of its sections. Brown trout is the most popular fish to find here, but rainbow trout can also be found. Floating in the lower sections of this river to catch fish is a solid choice, especially in the deeper pockets of water.
The Big Hole River is known as a grand slam for fishing and is certified as another blue ribbon water. It will be well worth your time to fish along it, not only for its stunning views of mountains and valleys, but for its wide variety of fish. Trout is abundant in this river, and popular species include rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Known for its beauty and tenacity, the Arctic grayling is also a popular catch in the Big Hole. To access certain parts of this river, you will need a special recreation permit, especially for boating. Guides for this river are also limited.
Starting in the stunning Gravelly Mountain Range, the Ruby River is a trout paradise. Certain sections of this river can be difficult to access due to the amount of private landownership throughout, especially from Alder to Twin Bridges. Some fishermen prefer the more limited access as it often creates less traffic compared to other fishing sites. As another blue ribbon water, brown trout is in abundance here and the population is extremely healthy due to their average-to-large sizes. Compared to a river such as the Madison, Ruby River is much slimmer and will likely be better suited to wade in rather than float in.
Only 7.1 miles from the Sportsman’s Lodge, Ennis Lake has a few different kinds of fish, including rainbow trout and brown trout. The Madison River flows in and out of this lake, and overall its water is on the shallower side, so try and stick to the deeper pockets of water. If you’re looking to catch the abundance of fish here, it is recommended to either spin fish or use a streamer. Fishing in the shadier areas of the lake will also bring you the most luck. If you’re coming by in the summer, keep in mind that this lake is very popular for paddleboarding and swimming, which can disrupt the fish population.
Close to West Yellowstone, Hebgen Lake is a vast lake (over 16 miles long) and is popular for both spin fishing and fly fishing. There are high numbers of large rainbow trout and brown trout here, which makes for excellent fishing. Be warned that fishing traffic can get heavy in the summer due to the large trout population, along with the lake’s easy road accessibility. Not only is Hebgen Lake highly accessible, but it also has two marinas with boats to rent. This stunning lake is also a popular spot for ice fishing during Montana’s winter months.
Quake Lake is another wonderful spot to fly fish, with easy accessibility off Highway 287. This lake is somewhat eerie: it has trees sticking out of its waters which look a bit like skeleton fingers. Cutthroat and brown trout like to swim around these trees—be extra cautious of them if you decide to bring your boat out into these waters. The best time to come by this lake is during the height of summer when all the ice has melted off its surface. Compared to Hebgen Lake, fishing pressure is not as heavy here during peak fishing season.
Part of the Ruby River, Ruby Reservoir is a smaller lake popular for boating, floating, and catching brown trout. Unlike the Ruby River’s difficult accessibility in certain sections, this reservoir is easily accessible and is much easier to fish in. You’ll want to fish here from the spring to the early summer months before irrigation begins.
O’Dell Creek is only 3.1 miles away from the Sportsman’s Lodge. This creek is a tributary that flows into the Madison River and has a high number of trout. Compared to some of the other fishing spots listed in this article, this creek is fully private, so you’ll need to bring a fishing guide with you if you’d like to fish at this spot. Luckily, there are plenty of fishing guides in Ennis! With its shallow waters, fly fishing in this tributary is the way to go.
The Gallatin River is a 115-mile stretch with fairly low fishing pressure, breathtaking views, and easy accessibility throughout many of its sections. It is great for wading in and float-fishing. Brown, rainbow, and some cutthroat trout can be found here, although their sizes are typically on the smaller side compared to the other fish listed throughout this article. This river is also great for both beginners and seasoned fly-fishermen alike. As another blue ribbon river, you are sure to have an amazing time fishing on this beautiful stretch of water.
Located in Yellowstone National Park, the Yellowstone River is one of the world’s greatest spots for catching many species of fish. The upper sections primarily consist of trout species as well as whitefish, with lower sections harboring walleye and catfish. Different forms of natural beauty surround every twist and turn of this river. Fly fishing on this river is nothing short of spectacular, and floating is another great way to fish here.
The Missouri River is another beautiful blue ribbon water with walleye and trout species in abundance. This river has a section known as the Land of the Giants: a fisherman’s haven for huge trout species including brown and rainbow trout. The rock formations around this river are nothing short of stunning—and will make you wonder if giants did really live there.
A tributary of the Yellowstone River, Boulder River is a great place to be if you want to get away from some crowds, as the fishing pressure is not too high in this area. While there are huge amounts of rainbow and cutthroat trout throughout Boulder River, the slimmer width and high currents can turn fishing here into a big challenge. On top of this, be wary of the many slippery boulders dotting the river’s landscape. Go slowly and be careful—and of course, have fun with all those trout.
Feeling the calm breeze blowing through the trees as you wade through cool waters… gazing up at the majesty of mountains as you tie your fishing line… each of these unique locations will offer you the meditative calm that fishing so often brings.
Are you ready to get out there and enter a fisherman’s paradise? Stop by the Sportsman’s Lodge in Ennis, where you’ll find relaxation after your fishing adventures, as well as many people eager to hear all about your biggest catch of the day.
Curious to know more about Montana’s fishing regulations, permits, and maps? Check out the Montana FWP here.
Want some help picking out a fishing guide while staying at the Sportsman’s? Click this link to get yourself outfitted with the best of the best.
March, 2025. Written by Georgia Sprague, a Montana resident who is an avid writer and outdoors enthusiast who recently graduated from Montana State University. In her free time, she loves to read, rock climb, fish, hike, backpack and spend time admiring Montana’s beautiful scenery.
