The Ruby River originates at the convergence of its East, West, and Middle Forks and runs in a northwesterly direction for 97 miles. In its upper section, the river flows through Beaverhead - Deerlodge National Forest between the Gravelly and Snowcrest mountain ranges. Fourteen miles downstream it veers gradually west to run alongside the Ruby Range and into Ruby River Reservoir, which was built in 1939 to store irrigation water.

The upper basin’s grasslands, historically a summer range for American bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and grizzly, are prone to erosion and mass wasting, leading to turbid water flows in the river. Below Ruby Reservoir the stream meanders past Alder and just west of Nevada and Virginia cities, three of Montana’s historic gold mining towns.

The Ruby completes its last 45 miles below the Ruby River Dam in a wide, open agricultural valley and joins the Beaverhead River near Twin Bridges, Montana. Gravel roads which parallel the upper river allow excellent access. Hunting, camping, timber harvesting, and mining join fishing, and cattle and sheep grazing as traditional uses supported by the Ruby River.

Total Length: 97 miles
FWP Region: Region 3
Fishing District: Central Fishing District

Species Present

Game Fish Opportunities:
Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout
All Species Present:
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Burbot, Common Carp, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Rainbow X Cutthroat Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, White Sucker, Arctic Grayling

Montana Fly Fishing
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