Local Area
Follow the Missouri River out of the vast, grand mountains until it flows out to the rolling plains, and you'll find the delightful fishing town of Cascade, Montana. There are unlimited opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors here including wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting. Should you need a bite to eat or some bait, Cascade retains a grocery store, gas station, post office, couple lively bars, and fun hardy folks! Get out and about and notice the numerous public fishing access spots along the mighty Missouri River. Cascade serves as a popular location to start a float down the river. Additionally, Eagle Island or Hardy Bridge also offer day use for river access. If you want a short escapade, take the day trip to the Crown Butte Preserve that is located halfway between Cascade and Simms. Hike to the flat-topped buttes and revel in the natural grassland vegetation 1000 feet above the great plains below. If you're in the mood for some history, stop by the Cascade Senior Center and Museum for a taste of local history.
Logistics to the Lodge
The emerald green and blue waters of the Dearborn River begin in the Scapegoat Wilderness and gently flows for more than sixty miles to the confluence with the Missouri River near Craig, MT. This area is all about fishing as it should be when located on one of the world's premier trout streams. Fishing guides, fishing lodges, and fishing shops stipple the valley where there are more drift boats on the water than people in the community! The lodge is specifically about 38 miles southwest of Great Falls and 52 miles north of Helena, MT. Behind the lodge you will find miles of forested wilderness giving home to varieties of wildlife and activities such as hiking, camping, birdwatching, photography, scenic drives, and outdoor adventure!
Premier Fishing and Hunting
There is one entity that draws thousands of visitors from all around the world and that is the fishing. This section of the Missouri is known for its Blue-Ribbon Trout fishing. These waters are filled with nutrients from the cold tail-waters from the bottom of Holter Dam creating a smorgasbord of feed for those finicky fish. As a result, the population of rainbow and brown trout surge averaging at about 7000+ fish per mile of river. These fish are frequently greater than 10 inches in length! The river is a playground offering year-round fishing. In addition to the plethora of fishing access sites along Interstate 15, there are numerous streams and creeks in the area to tackle. Holter Lake is a short 15-minute drive up above Holter Dam and is home to the Gates of the Mountains. From there, Hauser Lake and Canyon Ferry Lake also provide excellent fishing and boating. The central location of the lodge puts you in the middle of tremendous hunting opportunities and within two hours of anything else. The avid hunter can pursue big game animals including White-tailed and Mule Deer, elk, antelope, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Mountain Lions, and Black Bear. Upland birds and waterfowl also provide excellent prospects. Montana offers millions of acres of public lands for which to roam and hunt on as well as diverse habitats providing homes to the many different species of wildlife.