What's more relaxing than floating along a peaceful river, casting a line, and catching some fish? Doing it all with a lightweight aluminum trailer that gets all your gear, from fishing rafts to the cooler, to the river's edge and helps you save your back during the loading and unloading process!
Montana, home to one of ALCOM's trailer manufacturing sites, is a legendary fishing destination. Its many rivers and streams are brimming with fish - there's even an app to help anglers learn about up to 90 different species!
ALCOM doesn't build apps, but we do build some of the lightest and most durable trailers on the market - including raft trailers that make it easy to get inflatable fishing boats to the river. Our purpose-built raft trailers are so light almost any vehicle can tow them. Don't miss out on adventure - get an ALCOM raft trailer, available in 10' or 12' long and 84" wide. That's plenty of room for an inflatable fishing boat or raft, a cooler, and all your gear.
We've rounded up a few Montana float fishing destinations to help kick-start your next adventure.
Planning Ahead
Like every adventure, float fishing in Montana requires preparation. Start with identifying your group's skill level, the type of fish you want to catch, and time of year you have some vacation set aside. With this foundation, you can start exploring the nearly endless options and find your river. Consider creating a preparation checklist so you don't forget any important details, like:
- A Montana base fishing license, conservation license and Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP). These documents are required for everyone 12 and older, with resident and non-resident passes available. Read all about licensing, fishing districts and specific regulations at the Montana FWP site.
- Pre-trip maintenance and inspection for your raft trailer and tow vehicle to make sure everything is working smoothly.
- First Aid, water safety, and bear safety training and supplies - including a survival kit, flotation devices, sunscreen, and seasonal clothing. Montana's Bear Aware page has great resources to help you safely navigate the great outdoors.
- All your important documents, like trailer and tow vehicle registration and insurance and any other passes, permits, or licenses your group needs.
Find Your Float Trip
Montana contains nearly 170,000 miles of rivers. Even the most experienced anglers will want to narrow their options down to explore a manageable area. The current fishing year began on March 1, 2024 and ends on February 28, 2025, and most bodies of water in all three fishing districts in the state remain open for fishing year-round. Some rivers require special permits for float fishing, and special regulations apply to certain fish species, like bull trout and paddlefish.
- Smith River State Park offers a limited number of float permits each year using a lottery system. With a 59-mile stretch of river accessed by only one put-in (Camp Baker) and one take-out (Eden Bridge) point, the river is best suited for people with at least intermediate skills. Designated boat camping sites along the river make a perfect place to rest each night for up to four days.
- The Yellowstone River offers over 500 floatable miles (none of which are inside Yellowstone National Park). With numerous access points from Gardiner and below, the Yellowstone River offers scenic views and excellent fishing. While the river may be busy on some floatable stretches from Gardiner to Livingston, it's easier to access; below Livingston, fewer access points mean fewer boats on the river.
- The Flathead River consists of multiple forks, each considered a distinct river, divided by Flathead Lake. These forks flow through the scenic Flathead Valley. Access to the South Fork Flathead River is only available with a 25-plus mile hike, but the North and Middle forks offer easier access to float-friendly stretches of water.
- The North Fork Flathead River forms the originates in British Columbia, travels nearly 50 miles and flows into Montana, forming the western boundary of Glacier National Park. Due to its isolated surroundings, scenic river designation upstream from Big Creek, and varied terrain including rapids and gravel bars down stream from Big Creek, the North Fork doesn't see much motorboat traffic. But it can be a beautiful place to fish from an inflatable craft, which allows fishermen to access the deeper pools where cutthroats gather.
- The Middle Fork Flathead River offers wilderness (no motorized boats) and recreational floating, but fishing is more common in the recreational stretches of the river due to remote access and whitewater rapids in the wilderness-designated sections. Once the Middle Fork switches to a recreational class river, it flows along Highway 2, with numerous access points available along the southern edge of Glacier National Park. Inflatable fishing rafts are recommended over canoes for fishing, given the winding river's occasional rapids.
- The Missouri River, also known as "the Mighty Mo," begins about half an hour from Bozeman, MT, at Three Forks, and has several float accessible sections. Non-motorized boats aren't recommended below Great Falls, but the stretch of river from Holter Dam to Cascade is open to most types of boats, including fishing rafts. Holter Lake Campground sits near the dam and lake, and is a beautiful home base for wilderness adventure.
Searching for More Adventure
Not into floating, fishing, or getting your feet wet? Don't worry. There's so much natural beauty to explore in Montana, there's really something for everyone. Whether you want a winter snowmobile adventure, some summer fun on ATVs, or to cross some national parks off your bucket list, Montana is waiting -- and ALCOM wants to help you make the most of your trip.
Still Need a Raft Trailer?
If you already have everything you need for a Montana float trip except the raft trailer, don't worry! ALCOM has you covered. Our dealer network spans the USA and Canada, with over 500 dealers waiting to get you connected with the ideal aluminum trailer for your needs.
We manufacture our trailers at six locations across the United States, so the trailer you need is always available when and where you need it. Don't miss out on the fun! Find your local ALCOM dealer today and get your light, rust-proof, easy to load raft trailer for years of happy hauling.