Rattlesnake Creek
Near Missoula, Montana
Rattlesnake Creek flows through the Rattlesnake Wilderness and Recreation Area just north of Missoula, providing accessible fishing minutes from the city. The creek holds westslope cutthroat, rainbow, and brook trout. The lower sections near town see heavy recreational use, but fishing improves upstream. The Rattlesnake Wilderness protects the headwaters. This is easy-access fishing for Missoula residents, though catch rates reflect the urban-adjacent pressure. Best fishing is summer and fall. The creek demonstrates the value of protected urban watersheds.