world famous private water
Nelson’s Spring Creek
Spring Creek fishing in Montana
Spring Creek fishing in Montana is open all year. Nelson’s Spring Creek is a premier fly fishing destination in Montana and is located on our ranch 10 miles south of the town of Livingston, Montana in Paradise Valley, just 40 minutes from Yellowstone National Park. Nelson’s Spring Creek is approximately 3/4 miles in length. The Creek offers everything from sight fishing for cruising trout to bouncing nymphs through riffles. We reserve six rods per day for catch and release fly fishing only.
Nelson’s Spring Creek flows into the Yellowstone on the eastern side of the river.
Nelson’s Spring Creek is the most picture perfect spring creek one will ever see and the best spring creek fishing Montana can offer. The spectacular peaks of the Absarokas seem close enough to reach out and touch. This is Montana fly fishing at it’s best.
Hatches of mayflies and midges can be outstanding. Pale morning duns, sulphurs, and blue winged olives are most fisher’s prime focus, but terrestrials can be deadly in the warmer months of late May through September.
There are plenty of good sized fish – rainbow trout, brown trout and native Yellowstone cutthroat trout with an average size range of 15″ to 19″ and a few well over 20″. The fish are not as spooky as they are selective. Nelsons’ also offer an on-site FLY FISHING GUIDING SERVICE to help you entice those selective trout. 6X and 7X tippets are commonly used, and it is recommended to have the correct flies to “match the hatch” in order to have the most success. We have a FLY SHOP conveniently located on the Nelson’s Spring Creek Ranch to supply you with all the essential fly fishing gear you will need.
How to make a reservation for Nelson’s Spring Creek
CONTACT US to check availability on Nelson’s Spring Creek. To reserve your space, please fill out the Reservation Request Form or call us at 406-222-6560.
*Please note that due to the limited number of rod spaces available on the creek, we give preference to guests staying at our lodge.
For best availability book early! VIEW SPRING CREEK FISHING RATES.
- All anglers must sign in before heading to creek!
- Check in at fly shop starting at 8:00 am.
- Well behaved dogs are permitted. Please check out our pet policy upon arrival.
- Picnic shelter, outhouse and trash cans are just steps from the creek.
- Onsite FLY SHOP.
- GUIDE SERVICE available.
- Catch and release only!
- Anglers are free to fish until sunset.
- Visit the RATES page for more about Nelson’s Spring Creek policies
Nelson’s On-Site Stocked Pond
The Nelson’s two acre pond is an excellent location for beginning anglers to learn how to fly fish. It is within walking distance of the lodge and the spring creek. Enjoy wade fishing from shore for stocked rainbow trout.
CONTACT US to check availability on the pond. To reserve your space, please fill out the Reservation Request Form or call us at 406-222-6560.
- Paid anglers fishing Nelson’s Spring Creek are allowed to fish the pond during their allotted time on the creek.
- Complementary fishing on the pond for those staying at Nelson’s Spring Creek LODGE
- All anglers must sign in before heading to pond!
- Check in at fly shop starting at 8:00 am.
- Well behaved dogs are permitted. Please check out our pet policy upon arrival.
- Onsite FLY SHOP.
- GUIDE SERVICE available.
- Catch and release only!
- Anglers are free to fish until sunset.
POND ACCESS FEES /DAY
NELSON’S POND
Open year round
$75
Per Angler
Free
Lodge Guests
Free
Paid Spring Creek Anglers
I am so grateful that I got to fly fish at Nelson’s. I have fly fished all over the West for 30 years and this spring creek is truly amazing. Paradise Valley scenery is as good as it gets. I’ll cherish my photos for ever. Now my sister and her husband get to experience Nelson’s later in the summer. I’ll be back for sure and catch those beautiful Browns, Cutthroats, and Rainbows.