Judith River
Near Lewistown, Montana
The Judith River flows 125 miles from the Little Belt Mountains to the Missouri River, named by Captain Clark for Julia Hancock, whom he later married. The upper river holds brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout in spring-fed water that requires careful approach and presentation similar to spring creek fishing. Lower sections transition to warmwater habitat with channel catfish, sauger, and mountain whitefish. Big Spring Creek, one of Montana's premier trout streams, feeds into the Judith near Lewistown. Access is limited throughout, with the best opportunities along Judith River Road upstream from Utica and at bridge crossings in the middle section. Summer hopper fishing is excellent along the agricultural valleys. The river offers solitude for anglers willing to explore this less-traveled central Montana water. While not a destination fishery, the Judith provides interesting fishing in beautiful country for those seeking an alternative to crowded rivers.