Jefferson River

Lodging, scenic float trips, fly fishing, horseback riding, hunting and wildlife viewing are offered by America Outdoor outfitters on and around the Jefferson River.

The Jefferson River originates at the junction of the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers, near Twin Bridges, Montana, and runs northeasterly 77 miles to Three Forks, where it joins the Madison and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River. In its upper reach, the Jefferson meanders widely through a grassy valley between the Continental Divide on the west and the Tobacco Root Mountains on the east. Near Whitehall, approximately halfway along its course, the Jefferson turns east away from the mountains. It cuts deeply through a high, semi-arid plain to flow past rocky cliffs, sagebrush, and native grasses. From its confluence with the Boulder River near Cardwell to Missouri Headwaters State Park, the Jefferson is primarily confined to a single channel, except near Three Forks. There it braids, forming many islands and side channels in a rich bottomland.

• Game Fish Opportunities:
• Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout
• All Species Present:
• Brown Trout, Burbot, Common Carp, Flathead Chub, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Sucker, Rainbow Trout, Redside Shiner, White Sucker, Mountain Whitefish