You can access the Musselshell from the Selkirk Fishing Access Road nearby, and there is good fishing all the way to the town of Two Dot. In just a couple days of relaxed fishing, we caught two catfish, a few sturgeon, and a golden eye. The White Sturgeon is a bottom feeder and will eat almost any available organism. Travel 3 miles East to the Adamson road and turn right. It is a state fishing access site in west-central Montana. Marias River State Park Get Directions to Park To get to there from I-15, take exit 358 and head east on Marias Valley Road North for 3.5 miles. The Blue River is best known for its abundance of trout, small-mouth bass, black bass, crappie and blue catfish. Pursue the pike and perch in Fresno Reservoir near Havre, Lake Elwell near Shelby, Chester and Conrad and Lake Frances near Valier. Great fishing, bird and big game hunting; Show More . Big Spring Creek near the hub of Lewistown has excellent small-stream trouting in a true coldwater environment. The agency, in concert with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, is mimicking spring runoff with heavy flows of 2,000 cubic feet per second in the spring. For larger nymphs and streamers a 9-foot 6-wt with a sink tip fly line makes life easier. Large cold rivers. It is a 210 mile long tributary of the Missouri River; however, only a small portion of the rivers length holds trout. . The Marias River is one of those almost unheard of streams. The Teton River in northwestern Montana is a 150-mile tributary of the Marias River and Missouri River, starting on the eastern side of the Rockies and flowing eastward through the plains of Montana. Fishing pressure is very low on the Marias River below Tiber Dam, although what little fishing pressure there is happens just below the dam. The beautiful Middle Fork of the Judith has been the subject of habitat restoration work by Montana Trout Unlimited. The scenery rivals the more popular Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. north of Valier, Montana. One reason this section of the Marias has avoided much attention is its remote location in north central Montana, a drainage scoured out of glacial deposits south and east from Tiber Dam. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. 406-799-6358 Fishing While trout fishing is scarce in the Marias River's higher reaches, walleyes, bass, huge catfish, and a plethora of whitefish can be found in the area. The tailwater sections on the forks offer good fishing for browns that get larger than youd expect, and hopper season can be productive on good water years throughout the trout water. Thermopsis montana, also known as mountain golden banner, blooms along the Marias River. We won't share it with anyone else. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. I was worried it was going to roll and break the line off, he said. Instead, Munther, seated in a campchair, was surrounded by cottonwoods. The river's current was easy to hear in the quiet of evening. Around here (NW Montana), folks pronounce the name Ma-RYE-as. In Montana pallid sturgeon are presently found in the Missouri River from the MT/ND state line upstream to Fort Peck Dam and from upstream of Fort Peck Reservoir (Nichols Coulee) to Stafford Ferry (Figure 1). The river is also quite wide and deep, limiting a wade fisherman's ability to reach the productive fishing spots on the river, which is an important consideration. There are a couple of official FWP fishing access sites along this stretch of the Shell: Selkirk FAS where the forks come together near Martinsdale, and Harlowton FAS just downstream of the bridge in Harlowton, Montana. Likely there would be trash, fire rings and parties. A mile down from the mouth of the Teton River, the Marias joins the Missouri
Those flows are nothing compared to the highest rate ever recorded on the Marias River. Its a really humbling experience and I think it proves that monsters do exist, and its proof that you just never know and it just takes that one cast, Dockter said. On Feb. 16, a suspected location of the men was opened in the ice and two divers entered the water, located and brought the bodies to the surface. The best area for fly fishing the Teton River is in the upper area of it and its branches - North, South, Middle and West. With the high flows and long hours of daylight, we easily traveled 13 miles on the first day. Read the Standard Regulations that apply to all waters in that District. Its hard to find hidden gems like this area, said Fugere, who grew up in Billings and started guiding on the Missouri when she was 19. Theres also no debating the greatness of countless off-the-radar trout fisheries in Montana. Much has been opined about Montanas famous water becoming crowded lately. In places black Angus stood on steep slopes that appeared more favorable to mountain goats. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. By this time it was dark, so I turned on my head lamp and Sierra got the net. A group of boaters paddles down the Marias River over the Memorial Day weekend. The dam is 211 feet tall and 4,300 feet long. Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Marias River Near Loma Mt reporting a streamflow rate of 501 cfs. The high water also helps cottonwood rejuvenation along the banks. You throw out your line, play awhile, and watch for a bite. As smallmouth bass are lots of fun to catch fly fishing, don't rule out this stretch of the river. His fish was verified by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), as the new state record. Robbie Dockter of Conrad holds the new Montana state record brown trout caught March 3 on the Marias River. The Judith River also forms in the Little Belt Mountains where the Middle Fork joins the South Fork. Snow accumulations less than one inch. The uppermost sixty miles is too warm for trout. Abortion clinics crossing state lines not always welcome, Abortion trafficking bill sent to the floor, Lapwai boys in line for 3-peat after semifinal-round win, Pullman boys stunned in Class 2A state semifinal, OPINION: Heres one issue the Legislature is getting right, OPINION: Trump and the GOP outflank Democrats in Ohio, March 4 Letters to the Editor: Our Readers Opinions, OPINION: Labrador, Skaug have hastened death penaltys demise. Dont be surprised to find a smallmouth bass in the marginal water, and there are northern pike and carp (and a variety of other species) downstream of Roundup. The Ruby River is a spectacular small river fishery located in the beautiful Ruby Valley. Approximately 1.5 million years ago, the Missouri River flowed northward into a terminal lake. Bald and golden eagles are the top predators of the sky, making the multitude of honking geese and quacking ducks nervous with their overflights. Outfitters are coming up from the Missouri and theyre catching 24- to 26-inch browns every now and then, said Chester-area farmer Dennis Hanson, who chatted by phone from his boat on Tiber Reservoir (also known as Lake Elwell). Camping is allowed at the state park, but a state backcountry permit is required. One often-overlooked aspect is that notice denying entry to private land must be posted. It tumbles a bit faster than many spring creeks, therefore is not often as technical a fishery as other spring creeks such as the famous ones 100 or so miles southwest of here in Montanas Paradise Valley. It flows through mountainous canyons and the spectacular Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. All of them are in the Missouri River drainage from Great Falls to Fort Peck Reservoir, and all should be on your radar. When explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark reached the mouth of the Marias on June 2, 1805, Clark took measurements to compare the size of the waterways. Fly Fishing The Marias River in MontanaCentral Montana doesnt have as many famous trout streams as some of the other sections of the state but thats doesnt mean it doesnt have some infamous ones that are very good trout streams. Dockter and his 14-year-old daughter Sierra reeled in the 32.43-pound brown trout on the Marias River last Wednesday night. We are based out of Kalispell, Montana, located just minutes from Glacier National Park, Whitefish Divide, Great Bear Wilderness, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Belt Creeks hatches are not super heavy, but its trout regardless look to the surface with regularity. June 3-4 then brought heavy rain over the Missouri and Sun River basins. Big Spring tends to have a wider variety of hatches by area standards, with reliable midge, Blue-winged Olive, Pale Morning Dun, and caddis hatches in their seasons. The forks merge just east of Martinsdale, and the main stem shimmies its circuitous path alongside U.S. Highway 12 for about 350 miles until it flows into Fort Peck Reservoir. Beaver and muskrat swim the waters, which are also home to sauger, walleye, sturgeon, channel cats, northern pike, shovelnose sturgeon, smallmouth bass and nickel-bright goldeye. Author John Holt wrote of hooking fish on mouse flies made of horsehair (tied on the spot, clipped from live horses, so he says). At mile 22 we passed the mouth of the Marias River on our left, where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark spent nearly ten days on their upriver trip: June 2 through 11, 1805. The men were reported overdue at about 8 p.m. Monday by a third member of their party, NBC Montana reported. Text LMT to 55678 to receive breaking news alerts/links to your phone. There are some quality fish in there, but its definitely an outlier, he said. It is formed by the confluence of Cut Bank, Dupuyer, and Birch creeks and Two Medicine River and flows generally southeastward. The reservoir has 21,300 water surface acres, 21,244 land acres and 181 miles of shoreline. What is the size limit for trout in Oklahoma? When they got home to Conrad, their meat scale registered 32 pounds, 8 ounces 3 pounds over the record that had stood for 55 years. French may be contacted at french@billingsgazette.com. Because it drains such a large area, its also especially prone to major floods. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. ShareLink Copied Map. Dockter and his daughter Sierra try to get out about once a week to fish and love to hit the last stretch of daylight and just after sundown. It is formed by the confluence of Cut Bank, Dupuyer, and Birch creeks and Two Medicine River and flows generally southeastward. Sun and clouds mixed. In the loose clay at the bottom of sheer cliffs lining the river were trails made by deer that seemed able to defy gravity. It does not store any personal data. Marias River Report. Hoodoos rise from the cliffs above it and ancient cottonwood trees line its banks. Cottonwood trees also line the bank, with an occasional downed tree providing much needed cover for the trout. Copyright 2023, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy, Trophy hunter: Eastern Washingtons Ellis Magnuson spends time off the basketball court as an avid outdoorsman, County, city, volunteer groups look to renovate John Shields park, make it more accessible for all , Report warns of continued peril for wild salmon , Idaho deer cull, aimed at containing CWD, going well per officials , Off the Grid: When the search is better than the find , Reunited in Texas: Lexie Hull's WNBA offseason workout plan has her playing in Dallas, just three hours from sister Lacie, Zags-Gaels round 3? There are no public takeouts. River, near Loma, Montana, over 170 miles southeast of its sources. On Friday, a small group of BHA members gathered near Sullivan Bridge to begin the celebration. gradient characterize the river to Dugout Coulee. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Sign up today to have headlines, breaking news or our weekly sports newsletter, the Rundown, delivered straight to your inbox. Everyone wants to see how old the fish is and Im kind of curious, too. Daily limit: 3 in aggregate, only one of which may be a rainbow trout greater than 25 inches, and only one of which may be a brown trout which must be greater than 30 inches. The Pugsley Bridge Recreation Area is located about 4.5 miles downstream of Tiber Dam. Just 30 minutes from Ennis and and hour from Bozeman, the short commute is worth it to fish the Ruby. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Only one thing could have made it a little better. "The public was getting nothing out of it except a reduction of this wonderful place," Cunningham said. 3 beds 2 baths 1,760 sqft. Yet there are darker forces For the Clark Fork near Plains (102 years of record), 1948 is the largest flood of record with a flow of 134,000 cfs. Download Property Brochure For Marias River Ranch Loma, Montana. The Marias River provides an easy two-date float. Published Mar 10, 2021 3:24 PM EST. The Marias River is formed by the confluence of Cut Bank Creek and Two Medicine River. I was worried about him rolling, so I worked him downstream until I could beach him on a gravel bar. The channel in many places is
The short feature was filmed and produced by Fly Fisherman on the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, with Josh Burnham and Fly Fisherman editor/publisher Ross Purnell. Check the forecast and road conditions before embarking. A high hill between the rivers is named Decision Point, the place where Lewis and Clark decided to stay on the Missouri River. Some of the browns reach large sizes. No stretch of river is worth risking your life for. Pennsylvania smallmouth and trout guide Jake Villwock shows you how to tie one of his signature flies, The Roamer. Both flow out of the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains into the high prairie country of central Montana. When they got back to the truck, they watched in amazement as the scale leveled out over 32 pounds. What is the largest white sturgeon ever caught? Whitetail and mule deer, their coats rough as winter hair is shed, peered out cautiously from the thickets of Russian olive trees that lined the bank. By the end of the trip we were known as their river buddies., After spending just four days on the Marias River, its easy to see why Fugere said, People in this area are pretty protective of that river.. | The North Fork of the Musselshell River tumbles out of the Little Belt Mountains near White Sulphur Springs until it flows into Bair Reservoir on private land. Error! Often, in the Spring, we use topwater flies as well. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. $15,000 USD . The White Sturgeon population in Montana is part of a landlocked population occurring only in Kootenai River from Kootenai Falls in Montana downstream to Bonnington Falls in British Columbia (USFWS 1993). Although the river flows through prairie, it is still enjoyable, as cottonwood trees line its banks. 01/01/1500-47 : Dustin Lehman . The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt her a severe blow, so shes philosophic about people visiting the region. When Lincoln died, he left his ranch to the Catholic Diocese of Montana with instructions to give FWP the first right of refusal if the diocese decided to sell the land. Experience one river, or a combination of rivers together! Where can you catch a paddlefish in Montana? Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital. It is formed in Glacier County, in northwestern Montana, by the confluence of the Cut Bank Creek and the Two Medicine River. The Marias River is formed by the confluence of Cut Bank Creek and Two Medicine River. Backcountry Hunters and Anglers opposed the proposal, arguing that vehicle access to the river would degrade the experience the Marias River WMA offers. Completion of the dam in 1955 created a trout fishery for the first 21 miles. However, the largest white sturgeon caught by a fisherman is believed to be the estimated 1,100-pounder measuring 12 feet, 4 inches caught in July 2012. in 1956 for flood control, irrigation, recreation, and municipal purposes.
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Without the increase it was flowing at about 1,200 cfs when we launched the river would have been much lower, normally about 700 cfs. The Missouri was about 175 yards wide compared to the Marias 95 yards. Dockter, an accomplished hunter, said the trout ranks on top of all his experiences in the outdoors. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. For the most part, in this day of climate change, anglers will want to focus their trout fishing upstream of the town of Two Dot, though errant browns are found all the way down to around Roundup, about 150 river miles from Martinsdale. There are three BLM river access sites: Sullivan Bridge launch site, Pugsley Bridge Recreation Area, and Moffat Bridge Recreation Area. . When they got back into cellphone reception, Sierra decided to look up the state record. Erin Madison is the Tribune's outdoors writer. Our home waters in this scenic area is the glacier fed Flathead River. So the group sent exploration parties up each drainage to assess the situation. "It's an opportunity that many, many people can enjoy," Munther said. 4. His first Outdoor Life piece appeared in 1997, and he landed in Field & Stream a few years later. Because there is no takeout for the next 57 miles, and therefore little human use of the river, wildlife abounds. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. The creek is relatively short at only about 30 miles total, and it dumps into the Judith River northwest of town. I believe the pronunciation is Marias, even though the apostrophe is omitted when writing the name. The follows are intense, and eats heart stopping. What type of fish are in Blue River Oklahoma? Rainbow trout can also be found, although their numbers and sizes are well below that of the local brown trout population. Other Animal Production Animal Production and Aquaculture Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Printer Friendly View Address: 390 Donovan Rd Shelby, MT, 59474-1576 United States The largest sturgeon on record was a beluga female captured in the Volga Delta in 1827, measuring 7.2 m (23 ft 7 in) long and weighing 1,571 kg (3,463 lb). Below the dam, large brown trout can be found in fair numbers, averaging over three pounds with some approaching ten pounds. We were told it was verified on Thursday by FWP. Soldiers from Fort Ellis, near Bozeman, marched cross-country in January 1870 and found a band of peaceful Piegans wintering along the Marias. Dockter, fishing with his daughter at the end of daylight, landed what turned out to be a Montana record for brown trout, weighing 32.43 pounds, measuring 37 inches in length with a 28.5-inch. This 5,845-acre property, a combination of state park, and wildlife management area was established May 1, 2009. Marias River, river in Glacier county, northwestern Montana, U.S. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Not a single man-made structure was visible from his campsite. Now is the time for Montanans to get out there, because its all theirs.. It starts its journey near the small town of Neihart in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest along U.S. Highway 89. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. When its light out well fish for trout and walleyes, Dockter continued. From there, Belt Creek cuts west and runs through the unreal canyon of Sluice Boxes State Park. If challenged, its important to remain respectful and cool, even if you see a firearm. The North and the South forks of the Musselshell River are both tailwater trout fisheries, and the forks join to form the main stem near the small town of Martinsdale. While camping is allowed, there is a seven-day limit and only limited facilities. Public places include any sort of public land, official fishing access sites, and bridges on public roads that cross rivers. The game warden met them there and watched as the fish registered an official weight topping 32 pounds, 6 ounces, measuring 37 inches long and with a 28.5-inch girth. And theres usually a good brewery or memorable dive bar somewhere nearby to cap your day. Follow @nickmayerart (Facebook and Instagram) to see more of his work and enjoy his art at www.Nickmayerart.com. According to local radio station XL Country, Robbi's catch-of-a-lifetime comes out of the Marias River. Otherwise, there is no vehicle access. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Brown trout are stocked in the Lower Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow dam and in the Lower Illinois River when available, while rainbows are usually stocked at all eight of the states trout areas. Between 15,000 BCE and 11,000 BCE, the Laurentide Ice Sheet blocked the Missouri River and created Glacial Lake Great Falls. The streams popularity was evident on Memorial Day as vehicles with western Montana license plates pulling drift boats, canoes and rafts retreated south from the waterway. This afternoon newsletter keeps readers informed on the latest developments related to coronavirus. There are also a few public-road bridges where anglers and can hop into the river, staying within the high-water mark. . When the fish hit I knew it was big. Located directly south of La Cygne, Kansas on the famed Marais Des Cygnes River sits this one-of-a-kind property, coming for sale . The flies of choice for fishing this stretch of the Marias River include minnow imitations such as the Muddler Minnow. The headwaters of the Marias River is at the confluence of Cut Bank Creek and Two Medicine River, just south of the town of Cut Bank. Read Next: 15 Unbreakable Fishing Records, So I weighed it when we got home, but my scale wasnt certified so we went to sleep. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. 8 Best Fly Fishing Knots You Should Know How to Tie, Temps for Trout: How to Catch Fish that Behave Hot n Cold, 2021 Fly Fisherman Father's Day Gift Guide, How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet, Managing Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Sea. Lewis often left a space for that information in the summaries of his observations, but never put any values in those blanks. Sanford Park, just below Tiber Dam, has a nice campground and boat ramp, and theres a takeout about 5 miles downstream, at Pugsley Bridge. Recommended Tackle & GearFly Line:4,5or 6weightLeaders:Dry fly: 9to 12ft., 5or6XNymphing:71/2ft.,3or 4X, Streamers 0-2XTippets:Dry fly: 5or 6X,Nymphing: 3 or 4X,Streamer0-2XBest Fly Rods:Perfect FlySupreme Four,SuperbFiveorUltimate SixFly Reels:For4/5/6 fly lineFly Floatants and Misc Items:Floatants, KISS Strike IndicatorsTools & Accessories:Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc. Where does the Missouri River start and stop? Beginning about twelve miles or so below Tiber Dam, warming waters, irrigation use and slower water flows hamper productive trout fishing. (AP) Two Missoula County men were reported missing during a camping and fishing trip along the Marias River in northern Montana, the Toole County Sheriff's Department said. (Rick & Susie Graetz photo) Water data back to 1959 are available online. Travel 4 miles South to Miller's Bottom at the Marias River. Access to the river by vehicle is only available in a couple spots, and it was important to the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers that it stay that way. Just dont expect to be the first in line at the boat ramp anymore. The river is impounded by the Tiber Dam to form Lake Elwell, a reservoir used for irrigation and recreation. It often fishes great just upstream of downtown Lewistown at the Brewery Flats fishing access site, which has lots of fishable water alongside a well-maintained trail system. Only the bottom-draw tailwater section is reliable trout water. The Marias River is void of any technical whitewater. When FWP bought the land, officials thought an existing road on the east side of the WMA would provide river access. Float trip opportunities by kayak are available on this Class II-III river, offering several falls and ledges, dependent on seasonal waterfall. Canyon Ferry Lake is a reservoir on the Missouri River in Broadwater, Montana. SHELBY - Hunters who want to hunt deer on the Marias River Wildlife Management Area southwest of Shelby in Hunting District 406, must submit their application online during the month of June. Regarding bridge access: There is an easement that stretches 30 feet on either side of the center of any public roadoften well beyond the roads edgethat the public has the right to use despite technically being private property. 3 miles in width. Daily & Size Limits: (See maps and descriptions on Trout Area Information) There is no minimum size limit for rainbow, or brown trout at any state-designated trout area except in portions of the Lower Illinois River and the Lower Mountain Fork River. The river is almost 200 miles long. fishing the marias river montanafishing the marias river montanafishing the marias river montana It's the twelve mile stretch of tailwater below the dam that provides the excellent trout fishing opportunity. Wet your line in any one of the beautiful waterways of Central Montana. About: - The headwaters of the Marias River drain slopes of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park and Lewis and Clark National Forest before flowing eastward through the broad, rolling plains of north central Montana. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Message and data rates may apply. or a shovelnose sturgeon). I was thinking Id finally gotten a brown over 10 pounds, but then she rolled in my headlamp and we realized this thing is next-level big.. Bacons record was caught in Wade Lake and weighed 29 pounds. Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Common Carp, Walleye, Goldeye, Fresh Water Drum, Burbot, Yellow Perch, Shovelnose Sturgeon : Fort Benton Community Improvement Assoc . Low 33F. Above Tiber Reservoir (aka Lake Elwell), anglers might find a few trout, but its again mostly a warmwater fishery despite being nearer the Rocky Mountain Front than the tailwater section. . Its the twelve mile stretch of tailwater below the dam that provides the excellent trout fishing opportunity. Congratulations Robbie!
Im going to have a skin mount made and donate the carcass to FWP for research. Other sportsmen's groups also opposed it, including the Russell Country Sportsmen Association, arguing that buying land and then giving a portion of it away wasn't a responsible use of sportsemen's dollars. This is one of the only places in this area that still has a native population of westslope cutthroat trout. 49 acres $1,500,000. at Sheep Coulee, the Marias River begins a journey through a 21-mile-long,
Actual solitude, large and/or native trout, and an envy-inducing experience thats different from most other anglers are just a few of the calling cards of this part of Montana. This lake is located about four miles north of Montana Highway 200. Access to the river is difficult, and the distance between access points is often considerable. Our timing meant reasonably cool temperatures, only a few rain showers, few mosquitoes and great river flows. Tom Keer is a Contributing Writer at Field & Stream. Many young hunters from the Shelby area remember hunting on his ranch. Wade fishing the public water directly below the dam is possible, but downstream of that, a boat provides the most practical access. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. She can be reached at 406-791-1466 or emadison@greatfallstribune.com. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. After a few phone calls, Christiaens Meat & Grocery in Valier said they could weigh the trout. From there, people can hike about a half mile to the Marias or anywhere else in the WMA. For the author, there could be only one cure for a lagging bout of COVID. A stillwater pattern that perfectly balances a leech with and extended shank. From this point, the Marias River travels 170 miles east and then turns southeast towards the Missouri River. And the very bottom of Sluice Boxes State Park does offer good fishing and access. Experience six days on Montana's Marias River by canoe, paddling 80 miles from Tiber Dam downstream to Loma, exiting before the Marias merges with the Missou. Thirteen miles of the Marias River flows through the Wildlife Management Area. Fishing Fishing is perhaps the most popular activity on the Marias River. "His policy was, if you're a youth hunter, he would let you in," Cunningham said. It's an easy float, even for someone with minimal experience. The mainstem forms at the junction of Two Medicine and Cut Bank creeks, 12 miles north of Valier, Montana. The next morning, they took the fish to a shop with a certified scale in Conrad. The Marias River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 210 mi (338 km) long, in the U.S. state of Montana. It can be a reset button for your life. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. The Upper Marias River is easy to see from Interstate 15 just south of Shelby, but the undammed section of the Marias River upstream of Tiber Dam flows through the prairie, mostly hidden from view.