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

Blackfoot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

49

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Spring conditions are variable and can impact fish location and feeding activity. If you aren't finding fish in your usual spots, try fishing seams, pocket water, shelves, drop offs, and riffles, as rising water levels and fluctuating water temperatures can cause fish to relocate. Water temperature, speed, and depth should all factor into where you decide to throw that first cast.

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 4/25/25

As the weekend approaches, expect increasing cloudiness and a chance of afternoon thundershowers on Saturday and Sunday. Early next week, temperatures will cool slightly, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, and continued chances of rain and drizzle through Tuesday. By Wednesday and Thursday, conditions improve with decreasing cloudiness and warmer temperatures, reaching the mid-70s by Thursday. Overnight lows will be in the mid-30s to low 40s. Warm weather combined with the rain will likely bump flows and reduce water clarity. Be prepared for changing water conditions.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/25/25

Subsurface has still been the best option on the Blackfoot, but with warmer water temps the fish have started to look up. Keep an eye out for grey drakes! Streamers: Dungeons of all sizes, Double and Baby Gongas, Kreelex, Lil Kim, Buggers and Sparkle Minnows. Nymphs: TJ Hookers, Girdle Bugs, Prince Nymphs, Perdigons/Bullets, Blowtorch, Jig PTs and Duracells. San Juan Worm or Trina’s Squirm Dries: BWOs: On Point BWO, Purple Haze, BWO Cripple #18-20 March Brown: Brindlechute, Parachute PT, March Brown Cripple #12-14 Grey Drakes: Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Carnage Drake

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):
March Brown N/A #12-14
Blue Winged Olive N/A #18-20
CDC Caddis N/A #12-14
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A #8-10
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

March Brown

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Item #0346

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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:

March Browns, Caddis, BWOs.

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon to early evening

Best Stretch:

The entire river is in play

Best Access:

Multiple access points all along river