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

Blackfoot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

62

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Our tip of the week is to walk! With unusually low flows this year, many of our rivers have better wade access than normal. Take advantage of the best stream access laws in the country and cover some river miles below the high water mark. By putting some distance between yourself and your vehicle, you can find areas that don't get as much pressure. The fish you will find there may be a bit easier to trick with your fly and who knows, you may even find your new honey hole! 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 9/19/25

Fall is not here yet, but long cold evenings are helping keep water temperatures in a fishable range. Daytime highs are going to get up into the 80’s but any cloud cover we get will help improve fishing conditions.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/19/25

Fishing the Blackfoot is mostly a subsurface game right now, with nymphs and streamers being most productive. A general attractor dry in the right water might encourage a trout to rise. Think Royal Wulffs, Humpys, and Stimulators. Or a chubby or Micro Chub.

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):
Stimulator N/A #8-12
Hopper N/A #10-12
Yellow Sally N/A #14-16
Elk Wing Caddis N/A #14-18
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

Stimulator

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Item #0928

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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:

All day

Best Stretch:

The entire river is in play

Best Access:

Multiple access points all along river