Billings MT, Fishing: Experience Fishing in the Magic City

The city of Billings is the largest in the state of Montana. Not only that, but it is also the seat of Yellowstone County and Billings Metropolitan Area’s principal city. The city lies in the south-central portion of Montana, on the Yellowstone River 3,119 ft. above sea level on the base of the Rimrock Mountains in Clark’s Fork Bottom. 

Billings is also called the “Magic City” because of its rapid economic growth from its origins as a railroad town in 1882. The city serves as the central trading hub within much of Montana east of the continental divide, Northern Wyoming, and North and South Dakota’s western portions. This trend of economic growth continues to this day, as the city continues to have a strong economy. The city also hosts a variety of events, such as concerts, conventions, and other gatherings. 

Aside from being a major trading hub, Billings also provides a great fishing experience. It serves as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park and hosts several lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. So if you want to enjoy a great fishing experience while being close to an urban area, Billings is the place for you. 

Billings Fishing

Because many bodies of water surround it, anglers would have a wonderful time exploring and fishing BIllings’ waters. The large Yellowstone River and some of its tributaries pass through here as well. There are also several lakes and tributaries here that are perfect fishing spots. The lakes, in particular, are good for fly fishing, and during winter, you could also do ice fishing here as well. There are also plenty of drive-up fishing spots in the area for anglers to try out. Popular gamefish in Billings include the cutthroat trout, arctic grayling, rainbow trout, northern pike, brown trout, and many more.

For first-time visitors or anglers who wish to know more about the waters around billings, there are fishing charters and other fishing shops available in the area should you require them. These charters and shops provide additional information and guides for anglers who want to make the most of their fishing experience in the area. So don’t be afraid to ask for their advice with regards to where to cast your line or which gamefish is common in the waters during a specific season, as they are more than happy to help visiting anglers out. 

For those new to angling, Billings’ state parks also offer fishing lessons. They offer fly fishing lessons to first-time anglers from April 12-24 and June 7-19 every year. These lessons cover the basics of fly fishing, from knowing which bait to use to how to tie knots. The lessons are held either at the Billings Community Center or from one of the fishing spots in the area. 

Speaking of fishing techniques, the most popular fishing techniques done in the area are fly fishing, vertical jigging, and ice fishing. Because of the abundance of rivers and lakes in the area, it is quite simple to just cast your line in a suitable fishing spot and land yourself a prize. You can also hire the services of a fishing charter and go into the Yellowstone or Bighorn rivers to catch fish in its deeper waters. 

If you’re planning on fishing in Billings’ waters during the winter months, you’d better prepare your winter gear, as the lakes and streams offer an opportunity for anglers to practice their ice fishing skills here. With enough patience and practice, you can catch a lot of lake trout and smallmouth bass during the winter. Just make sure to know which parts of the water are safe to drill your holes in, and be watchful for any signs of movement in your bait, and you’ll catch a lot of fish via ice fishing. 

When talking about the best fishing spots in Billings, or even the rest of the US, one should never forget to mention the Yellowstone River and its tributaries. These waters are famous for the abundant trout swimming in their waters for anglers to catch. The combination of beautiful scenery while you flyfish and the gamefish swimming in the waters will make any angler wish to cast their line here once again. Aside from the wide variety of trout, anglers can also catch walleye and catfish in the river as well. 

And speaking of Yellowstone’s tributaries, another popular fishing spot in Billings is the Bighorn River. This is another premier trout fishing area, not just in Montana but in the entire US. As one would already notice, if the goal of your fishing trip is to catch a lot of trout, then the waters around Billings have got you covered. Anglers fishing here can catch brown trout that averages around 15 inches, while rainbow trout averages around 16 inches.  Most of the trout fishing in the river is concentrated on the first 13 miles below the dam and into the Bighorn access site. Anglers can visit this river at any time of the year, as there are still trout swimming beneath the ice, waiting to be caught. 

Another fishing spot, and campground if you so wish, to not miss while visiting Billings is Greenough Lake. Here, you can relax with your family and enjoying the beauty of Montana’s outdoors while fishing for cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. The lake is also a good place to do external activities like hiking, biking, canoeing, and kayaking after a day’s worth of fishing.

For those who wish to engage in more competitive fishing, you can test your skills in the Yellowstone Challenge Catfish Tournament. This annual tournament is scheduled for the second Saturday of May and attracts anglers seeking to catch the biggest catfish within the Yellowstone’s waters.  

Top 10 Fish Species in Billings, MT

The top 10 fish species to catch in Billings, Montana are lake trout, catfish, brook trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, cutthroat trout, arctic grayling, rainbow trout, northern pike, and the brown trout.

Billings Seasonal Fishing

Fishing is an all-year-round activity in the waters of Billings. Most of the gamefish will begin to appear in large numbers from April to October, with the arctic grayling’s numbers beginning to decrease slightly. Many anglers begin to arrive in the area around July, so if you want to avoid the crowd, you need to either come early or choose a more secluded spot to cast your line on. During the winter months, you can still catch a lot of brook, rainbow, and lake trout in the Greenough Lake and Bighorn River. Remember to come prepared when you go ice fishing and have a place in mind where you want to make your ice fishing hole in. 

Fun Things to Do While in Billings

1.Fishing Charters

Due to the amount of freshwater available for anglers in Billings, it is no surprise that many fishing charters are operating in the area. If you are interested in a more productive fishing trip, it’s not a bad idea to hire their services. These charters know the area well and could assist anglers old or new with new ways to increase the likelihood of getting a bite in Billing’s waters. So if you want to make the most of your trip, hiring a fishing charter is the way to do it. 

2.Visit the Zoo Montana

Are you an animal lover? Then you’re going to love the Zoo Montana. This nonprofit animal facility offers a more natural feel compared to a regular zoo, where animals such as grizzly bears and gray wolves could be seen in their natural habitat. This, and the rather affordable admission cost, make the Zoo a good place to go for family outings and see the indigenous animals in Montana firsthand. 

3. Check Out the Yellowstone Art Museum

For those with a more artistic inclination, you can visit the Yellowstone Art Museum in Downtown Billings. This museum houses 7,300 artworks made from the Northern Rocky Mountain and Northern Plains regions. Visitors can also visit the museum’s open vault, where all the other artworks that aren’t on exhibit are stored. The museum also offers self-guided tours, educational programs, and even live entertainment and extended night hours every first Friday of the month.