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Montana · Fishing
Dillon sits in the upper Beaverhead Valley at the convergence of some of southwest Montana's most productive fishing water, and the options here split pretty cleanly between moving water and stillwater.
7 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 7 spots
Dillon sits in the upper Beaverhead Valley at the convergence of some of southwest Montana's most productive fishing water, and the options here split pretty cleanly between moving water and stillwater. The Beaverhead River is the centerpiece — the Henneberry Access puts you on a tailwater that runs cold year-round and holds brown trout and rainbow trout in water that earns a hard difficulty rating for a reason. Tight bends, heavy weed growth, and selective fish mean this stretch rewards anglers who can mend a line well and read water carefully. Away from the river, the area fans out into lake fishing at spots like Pear Lake and Tash Pond, with more remote options through the Dillon Ranger District and backcountry cabins like Bloody Dick Cabin and Horse Prairie Cabin that put you near stillwater and river fishing with overnight access. The elevation at the Beaverhead's Henneberry Access sits at 5,100 feet, so expect cooler mornings even in summer. Whether you're chasing trout on a dry fly or looking for a quieter lake day with the family, Dillon has enough variety that a long weekend here can look very different depending on which direction you point the truck.
The Henneberry Access section is rated hard, and that's an honest assessment. The Beaverhead is a weedy, technical tailwater where fish see a lot of pressure and tend to be leader-shy. If you're comfortable with longer leaders, precise presentations, and reading slow, complex currents, you'll do fine — but it's not the place to learn to fly fish.
The Beaverhead River at Henneberry Access holds brown trout and rainbow trout. The lake fishing listings — Pear Lake, Tash Pond, and the Dillon Ranger District waters — don't specify species in the available data, so check with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks or the Dillon Ranger District office before you go if targeting a specific species matters to your trip.
Henneberry House
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Horse Prairie Cabin
~32 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Beaverhead River - Henneberry Access
~31 min drive
Hard
Ruby River - Alder Access
~1h 17m drive
Moderate
Bloody Dick Cabin
~40 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Lupine Shelter
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Dillon Ranger District
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Canyon Creek Cabin
~1h 3m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Tash Pond
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Twin Lakes Cabin
~1h 6m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Pear Lake
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Antone Cabin
~1h 18m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Also worth it near here
On tailwaters like the Beaverhead, early morning and evening are generally most productive, especially in summer when midday sun flattens surface activity. The river runs cold year-round thanks to its tailwater nature, which keeps fish active even in warmer months, but low-light windows consistently produce better dry fly and nymph action.
Yes. Horse Prairie Cabin and Bloody Dick Cabin are listed as access points for river and lake fishing respectively, and both suggest overnight stays in less-trafficked country. These are managed through the Dillon Ranger District, so contact that office directly for cabin availability, road conditions, and any permit requirements before planning around them.
Yes, a Montana fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older fishing any of these waters. You can buy one online through Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks or at local sporting goods stores in Dillon. Pick up a current regulation booklet at the same time — the Beaverhead has specific gear and harvest rules that are worth knowing before you rig up.
