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Big Spring Creek

Considered to be one of the few significant trout streams in Central Montana, Big Spring Creek is the third-largest freshwater spring in the world and bubbles to the earth's surface in the foothills between the Judith and Big Snowy Mountains. The cold water is quickly absorbed back into the porous strata and reemerges again at Big Spring flowing at over 50,000 gallons per minute. Once a sacred site to Native Americans, and later a valuable resource to early settlers, Big Spring Creek is still a prized water source. According to the EPA, Big Spring has been rated one of the purest springs in the U.S., and it is pumped directly into the homes of Lewistown residents without any purification. Big Spring water is also bottled and shipped across the country under a variety of labels. A portion of Big Spring is diverted and it serves as a fish hatchery in which over three million trout, including brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout, as well as kokanee salmon, are raised annually. Last but not least, Big Spring Creek is a year-round red ribbon (Class II) trout fishery that provides high-quality habitat for trout, aquatic insects, and also serves an invaluable riparian corridor to regional flora and fauna.

Big Spring Creek begins nine miles southeast of Lewistown and flows a mere 30 miles to join with the Judith River. It is not a large river, averaging only 35-45 feet wide and 18"-24" deep. True to its spring creek roots, Big Spring Creek is gin clear and flows over beds of vibrant green aquatic plant life. The nutrient-rich water provides an excellent habitat for aquatic insects, primarily midges, baetis and caddis with some PMD activity in June and July. The lush vegetation and surrounding hay fields allow for excellent hopper fishing from late July through September. Big Spring Creek is easy to wade, and access is prevalent throughout the upper 20 miles of the creek. The last 10 miles from Cottonwood Creek to the Judith braid and deteriorate from erosion and pollution, and is arguably not worth fishing. Regardless of where you choose to fish, make sure you watch out for rattlesnakes at all times as there are regular sightings along the entire length of this river.

Big Spring brown trout heading home. Photo by Brian Grossenbacher.