Fishing Season: All Year; Tributaries closed December 1-third week of May.

Blackfoot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

65

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Blackfoot River - from Cedar Meadow FAS to the confluence with the Clark Fork River starting July 29. Closed to floating from Weigh Station Fishing Access Site downstream to the point where the river crosses under Interstate 90, beginning July 15 due to construction on a railway bridge. Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for Monture Creek - from the confluence with Falls Creek to the Highway 200 Bridge starting July 29. The Blackfoot is fishing well with cool, clear water early in the day. Spruce Moths at first light have been a great way to target fish. Target deep pools, heavy shaded runs, and fast inside bank seams. Once the sun blankets the water mid-morning, shift your focus to deeper nymph drifts before it gets too hot and the fishing closes at 2pm. ***There is an obstruction below Harry Morgan on the North Fork of the Blackfoot that has caused a few boat accidents. We recommend either walking your boat around it or putting in at River Junction instead***

Directions open in app

Map of Blackfoot River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blackfoot River Outfitters
Blue Damsel Lodge
PRO Outfitters
Bitterroot Fly Company

5-Day Outlook as of 8/7/26

Up near Ovando, the temps are gonna be in the 80s and 90s this weekend with lots of sun. Looking into next week temps will continue to be in the 80s and then towards the end of the week temps will drop into the 60s.

Techniques & Tips as of 8/7/26

A heavy dry-dropper rig is your best way to find fish on the Blackfoot. Throw a size #8 or #10 Chubby Chernobyl or a Sweetgrass Hopper, and trail a Perdigon, Yellow Spot Pheasant Tail or a Frenchie 2-3 feet below. In the morning try and throw a single Spruce Moth to see if fish are interested in those. A small ant or beetle is also a good way to get fish to eat a dry.

Local Species Available All Year; Tributaries closed December 1-third week of May.

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    Trout: rainbows

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    West Slope cutthroats

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    browns

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    bulls and white fish.

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Big Sky Salmon Fly N/A #6-10
Elk Wing Caddis N/A #12-16
Vernille San Juan Worm red/pink #8-12
Fly Formerly Known As Prince N/A #12-14
TJ Hooker N/A #8-12
Trina's Worm N/A #8-12
TH 20 Incher N/A #8-12
Bead Head Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear Nymph N/A #12-14
Jig Sparkle Yummy N/A #6-10
Jig Mini Bugger N/A #10-12

Big Sky Salmon Fly

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Item #3R8E

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Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Blackfoot River

Bottomless emerald pools, boulder strewn pocket water and diamond chop riffles all shaded by moss covered cliffs and towering ponderosa pines combine to make this the epitome of Montana fly-fishing. Thanks to a diligent concerted effort between neighboring landowners, government agencies, conservation organizations and concerned anglers, restored spawning tributaries are continually enhancing trout populations – especially those native to the river. Combining such exceptional juvenile trout recruitment with restrictive creel limits results in a Blackfoot teeming with fish like biceps. Nymphing here is just plain deadly, especially from a boat. We aren't talking about spending the day untangling two pinhead size flies spun tight with 6X tippet around a stick of soft lead and a Don King indicator – this is no tailwater. 4X is as light as we go with 1X common place and bugs often the size of small rodents. Then imagine the same terminal tackle for dries! No stress, just fun. In spite of its familiarity as the inspiration for the big screen hit, "A River Runs Through It," compared to other world class destinations fishing pressure remains relatively light.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Hatches:

Terrestrials

Best Time to Fish:

Morning

Best Stretch:

The entire river is in play

Best Access:

Multiple access points all along river