Central Montana’s Front Range Lakes: 2026 Fly-Fishing Forecast

LONG STORY SHORT, WE NEED WATER.  

Last week I attended the annual State of the Rivers address, which is held in Great Falls, Mont., and hosted by the Missouri River Fly Fishers. 

The address is free to the public and meant to educate anglers on the current state of our rivers”, but it also summarizes the health of all area fisheries, including central Montana’s bevy of productive stillwaters. The address also focuses on major fisheries enhancement projects, including some directly managed by the Missouri River Fly Fishers, known locally as MRF, which is the Trout Unlimited chapter for Great Falls and the surrounding area. 

At the event, Katie Vivian, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ regional biologist (based in Choteau), gave a great overview of several Front Range lakes and what anglers could expect, fishing-wise, from those waters this year. This is a summary of that report.   

Secret Pond Guide to Central Montana? 

Before I get into the summary, I’ll share some classified info: Ok, it’s not really a secret, but I’m willing to bet that most people are unaware of FWP’s Montana Region 4 Pond Guide, which outlines fishing opportunities on all of the area ponds and indicates which ones are stocked. It even has options of stocked ponds that are located on private land but offer public access. Make sure to secure a copy of this 47-page pond guide, which is updated annually. Get on the FWP site and just scroll down to Fishing Guides, fwp.mt.gov/fish, and look for the PDF download link Ponds, Lakes, and Reservoirs Guide: Region 4. 

Willow Creek 

This is a popular one and for good reason: there are big fish swimming in Willow. Vivian said that Willow Creek, like all the Front Range lakes, suffers from the effects of irrigation, drought, and a lack of snowpack in the mountains, which has left water levels at just 12 percent of full pool. Until February 2026, and throughout the fall and winter of 2025, the reservoir wasn’t even getting any refill. Vivian also mentioned that the cement boat ramp is so far from the water there’s probably a zero percent chance that any of us will be backing trailers into the reservoir anytime soon. 

Fishing-wise, Willow is producing large trout that are doing well even in low water conditions. At 12 percent capacity it’s not hard for anglers to figure out where the trout are. The tough part is that juvenile fish are not doing well. We need a big water year to grow new year classes of fish for the future.   

Nilan Reservoir 

Another trout fishery along the Rocky Mountain Front that is being severely influenced by ongoing drought and low water conditions. Trout populations are paltry compared to former years, but the reservoir isn’t completely down and out. In fact, anglers reported great fishing in fall 2025. Vivian and FWP are reporting that older, larger fish, are keeping the fishery viable for now. Unfortunately, trout numbers won’t increase until the reservoir gets more water. 

Vivian also noted that the boat ramp at Nilan will likely be out of commission until water levels rise. And that will take snowpack and precipitation. She warns that water levels could be dreadfully low by the end of June. She also mentioned that Upper Nilan Reservoir is much more consistent than Nilan and doesn’t sufffer from the same issues because it is fed by Ford Creek.    

Pishkun Reservoir 

I don’t think I’m going to elaborate too much on Pishkun. However, since you are this deep into the article, I’ll drop a little bit of knowledge here. Pishkun has several species including rainbows, kokanee, and pike. What we learned from Vivian is that the pike numbers have grown a lot, and the pike fishing is good, with the average size of Pishkun’s pike trending higher. Even if you don’t have a boat, the shoreline pike fishing should be awesome this spring.   

Bynum Reservoir 

Traditionally, Bynum has been a great fishery for oversized trout but, sadly, drought and low water have defeated the reservoir. In fact, Vivian considers the Bynum fishery to be a total loss. But there is hope: Vivian said if water levels recover, Bynum could make a quick recovery. Once water levels are adequate, FWP will again stock the lake and those trout will grow fast in this productive system. 

For this year, we will save you the drive: Bynum is off the table. 

Unless we get a lot of water, these central lakes will be in tough condition by mid-summer. Therefore, Vivian makes it clear that if you plan to fish, you should do so in spring.   

However, the Front Range does offer many other fly-fishing options, which include alpine lakes, the upper reaches of several major rivers, and some larger river options, including the mainstem Missouri. In addition, there are numerous small mountain creeks, and there are additional stillwater opportunities on the larger reservoirs. Vivian also points out that mid-summer is a great time to diversify your species by targeting carp, freshwater drum, smallmouth bass, and goldeyes.   

Where are these other options you might ask?  We can’t put everything on the internet. You’ll have to stop into House of Fly and talk to us in person for that kind of info. We’re always eager to share and hear your stories, too.