Montana
Big Hole River near Melrose
Location Snapshot
Big Hole River near Melrose is a broad southwest Montana freestone reach winding through an open mountain valley below the river’s colder upper headwaters. Brown and rainbow trout form the core fishery, while long riffles, deep runs, and complex banks create varied habitat across this classic western trout river.
Current River Rating
Unavailable
Not enough local guidance to rate conditions.
Low confidence
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is available with the current data.
Why
- This river does not yet have enough local fishing guidance to assign a rating.
Cautions
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Blocking Factors
- Configured water observations are currently unavailable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- Not available
- Gage Height
- Not available
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Latest current reading
- Not available
Monitoring temporarily unavailable. · USGS station 06025500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
42°F
Feels like
36°F
Wind
4 mph NW
Wind gust
4 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 4 AM
Overcast
Temp 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 8 AM
Clear
Temp 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 12 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Tue 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Tue 8 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 65°F / Low 41°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 8 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 66°F / Low 39°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Drizzle
High 67°F / Low 45°F
Chance 38%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Showers
High 55°F / Low 39°F
Chance 92%
Precip 0.24 in
Max gust 22 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Wild brown and rainbow trout are in the Big Hole River near Melrose.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Big Hole River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Official sources
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Madison, Montana
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Madison
Management Category
Wild trout river
Regulation Scope
Big Hole River near Melrose.
Regulation Summary
Big Hole near Melrose: FWP Central District regulations unless an Exception applies. Confirm current closures.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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