Kingfisher Lodge Montana

Kingfisher Lodge located on the Bighorn River in Southeastern Montana. It is a world-class fly fishing lodge that has been hosting and guiding fly fishing guests on the famous Bighorn River for 27 continuous years. This is an excellent run operation with a lot of heart, attention to detail and commitment to taking care of folks.

The Bighorn River is home to one of the most abundant brown and rainbow trout populations in the United States. The river has had a history of holding trout counts of around 3,000-4,000 fish per mile. Not only are the numbers of the fish impressive but the average size of the fish is equally exceptional. Trout sizes average between 14″-18″ with trophy 24″ lurking. The lake offers an exciting variety as well.

The staff at Kingfisher Lodge are committed to showing you an experience to remember and will go out of their way to make your stay comfortable and memorable. Once you visit the lodge you are part of the family. Their commitment to hospitality runs deep and they promise to exceed your expectations.

Headed out on your next adventure with us? The Fly ShopⓇ has you covered. As a thank you to our travel guests, enjoy 15% off all retail purchases for a year! — the perfect chance to gear up before your trip.

Whether it’s flies, leaders, apparel or a new rod and reel outfit, we’ve got everything you need to make your journey more comfortable, more successful, and more fun. (some exclusions apply)

Seasons

Being a tailwater fishery, fishing on the Bighorn is good year round. With constant bottom feed flows from Yellowtail dam, you can have amazing fishing 12 months a year. Although sometimes the outside air temperature and weather in the winter doesn’t always allow this. Kingfisher Lodge typically runs their operation from March to beginning of November. Although if there is a group of you interested in hitting the water outside the season, let us know and we can make it happen.

March-May (Spring):
Springtime is a great time to be Fly fishing in Montana. It is often an overlooked time of year for most traveling anglers, but once you experience a pod of fish rising to a cloud of BWO’s, you might make spring fishing an annual pilgrimage. By April weather in Montana starts improving, days are getting longer and water temps begin to rise. Midges are hatching on the warmer sunny afternoons and Blue Wing Olives start hatching once those water temps hit the low 40 degree mark. The best BWO hatches happen on calm overcast days. Fish are always taking scuds, sow bugs and Midges under indicators and you can typically get into some rising fish when conditions permit. Although days can be pleasant, calm and sunny if you are here at this time, you need to be ready for bigger shifts in weather and packing some extra layers is always a good idea.

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Low Season

Getting There

Kingfisher Lodge is located just outside of Fort Smith, Montana which is an hour and a half drive from Billings Logan International Airport (Airport Code BIL). BIL hosts 7 major airlines and 24 flights arriving daily so there are a number of options to get you there. Once at the airport, you can rent a car at the Billings airport and drive to the lodge or KFL recommends Wilson Transport's shuttle service - 406-256-9793.

Personal Aircraft:
If you have your own plane, Fort Smith has an excellent 3,800 foot runway (no tower). Contact us prior to arrival for shuttle options to the lodge.

Driving:
From the West - Take I-90 south from Billings to Hardin. At the Hardin exit follow the signs for Yellowtail Damn and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area to state HWY 313. Travel 23 miles to St. Xavier. At St. Xavier (post office on the right), take a left toward Bighorn National Recreation Area. Travel on HWY 313 until mile marker 35. At mile marker 35 take a right on War Man Loop. Travel 3.9 miles to the lodge.

From the South - Head north on I-90, take exit 509 at Crow Agency. It winds through the Crow Reservation and connects with Hwy 313, take a left and continue as listed above through St. Xavier toward Bighorn Canyon and mile marker 38.

Directions from the East - Head west on I-94 exit at Custer and take Hwy 47 south to Hardin. At Hardin Hwy 47 becomes 313, follow directions for "from the west".

Lodging

After a great day on the river, settle in and revitalize at the lodge. Soak in breathtaking views of the Bighorn Mountains, curl up with a book, observe the surrounding bird habitat or enjoy the lodge social life. At Kingfisher your day is that simple, their staff and guides will take care of the rest.

Each room features queen beds with ensuite bathrooms, mini fridge, in room heating and cooling and hair dryers. Amenities include WIFI, pro shop, walking paths, outdoor seating and excellent views.

Kingfisher accommodates a maximum of 16 guests at one time, assuring for a personable and relaxing lodge experience.

#KickPlastic: Keeping the River Pristine:
Kingfisher Lodge is committed to doing their part in keeping Montana's rivers pristine. As a part of this commitment they've eliminated all single use plastic water bottles from their program. They've traded in the easy convenience of plastic water bottles for the lasting durability of branded Kingfisher tumblers by Yeti. Each angler receives a tumbler upon arrival at the Lodge. Lunches are served in re-usable Bento boxes. Kicking Plastic is about removing single use and short life plastic water bottles from our wheel house in favor of durable products.

Fishing

Fishing the river - it all starts with a 21 mile stretch of calcium-rich water with an average of 3,000 - 4,000 fish per mile, where you'll cast to trout that average 14”- 18” with the possibility of a 24” trophy lurking just a cast away. While summer is an amazing experience on the river, some of the best fishing can be had in the late fall and early spring.

The Bighorn River in Montana is a classic tailwater fishery that originates in Northern Wyoming and flows 150 miles before it enters Bighorn reservoir. Below Yellowtail dam is Afterbay Lake, a small 180 acre lake that at times can be excellent sight fishing for carp. Below Afterbay dam is where the main event starts. With a constant flow of cold fertile water, the rainbows and browns of the Bighorn have a year round supply of scuds, worms, midges and other insects that account for their large average size.

Fishing the lake - The scenic beauty is second to none with canyon walls soaring up to 1,000 feet above waters loaded with a variety of species. The fishing really is as thrilling as the view. You can hook anything from smallmouth bass, carp, crappie to catfish. The Lodge offers lake trips from mid-July through August. There is an additional charge for a guided day of fishing on the lake over the standard package.

Rates

Double Occupancy
• 3 Nights/2 days guided fishing - $1,650
• 4 Nights/3 days guided fishing - $2,200
• 5 Nights/4 days guided fishing - $2,750
• 6 Nights/5 days guided fishing - $3,300

Single Occupancy
• 3 Nights/2 days guided fishing - $2,250
• 4 Nights/3 days guided fishing - $3,100
• 5 Nights/4 days guided fishing - $3,950
• 6 Nights/5 days guided fishing - $4,750

Inclusions:

Included in your trip to Kingfisher Lodge Montana are lodging, guided fishing on the river, flies, leaders, tippet, rods and reels, breakfast, boat lunches, appetizers, dinner and non-alcoholic beverages

Non-Inclusions:

Not included in your Kingfisher Lodge Montana angling package are accommodations tax, guide & staff gratuities, fishing license, alcohol, and transportation to and from the lodge, lake cruises. Lake trip (2 anglers/boat)additional $100/boat).

There is not alcohol available for purchase at the lodge as Bighorn is a dry county. However you are welcome to bring your own. If you are flying into Billings there are a number of options. We recommend Costco, City Vineyard and Albertsons for beer and wine. For spirits, Bottles & Shots is the closest liquor store to the airport.

Travel Insurance:

The Fly Shop® is not in the insurance business, but we recommend Travel Guard (AIG) and Global Rescue (IMG) coverage as a service with a desire to see your best interests protected. It is impossible to know when an unfortunate situation (loss of luggage, fly rods, illness in the family, or an accident) may occur. However, such things can and do happen, and this insurance can provide a means of recourse against non-refundable financial losses.
• Travel Insurance Information

Nights/Days	Double Occupancy	Single Occupancy
7 nights/6 days	$3,550	$5,350
6 nights/5 days	$3,250	$4,750
5 nights/4 days	$2,750	$3,950
4 nights/3 days	$2,200	$3,100
3 nights/2 days	$1,650	$2,250
2 nights/1 days	$1,100	$1,400

Seasons Details

Seasons

Getting There Details

Getting There

Lodging Details

Lodging

Angling Details

Fishing

Inclusions Details

Rates

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