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

Blackfoot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

34

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

While temps in our area are warming up, water temperatures have stayed relatively cold (sub 40F). This is often due to melting snow and shelf ice lowering the water temperatures. Be sure to bring a thermometer with you while fishing so you can monitor water temps. This will help determine the best approach for fishing. A Drought Closure (fishing prohibited 24 hours) is in effect for the North Fork Blackfoot River from USFS boundary downstream to Highway 200 starting September 10. Streamflows were measured at the DNRC Ryan Bridge Gage 76F 03500 and have remained below critical threshold of 5 cfs since September 1st. Beaver dams and braided channel morphology have combined with extremely low flows in the hydrologic-losing reach to create conditions that are expected to concentrate adult bull trout as they attempt downstream migrations to the Blackfoot River. The closure criteria follows the Blackfoot Drought Response Plan.

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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 2/25/26

Up the Blackfoot corridor, expect slightly cooler conditions, with daytime highs hovering in the upper 30s before finally creeping into the 40s later in the week. Early week snow showers will give way to partly cloudy skies and manageable winds that should mostly stay under 10 mph. The river is running low and clear, but definitely keep an eye out for shelf ice on the banks, especially in those colder upper stretches near Ovando.

Techniques & Tips as of 2/25/26

Nymphing is going to be your fishiest technique on the Blackfoot for the foreseeable future. Focus your efforts on the deeper and slower moving areas on the river.

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):
Midge N/A #18-22
Birchell's Hatching Midge N/A #18-22
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

Midge

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Item #0836

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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:

Midges

Best Time to Fish:

The warmest hours of the day

Best Stretch:

The entire river is in play

Best Access:

Multiple access points all along river