Fishing Season: Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

Clark Fork River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

64

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!

Directions open in app

Map of Clark Fork River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blue Damsel Lodge
Linehan Outfitting Company
Blackfoot River Outfitters
Bitterroot Fly Company

5-Day Outlook as of 9/19/25

More sun and warm weather as summer refuses to give way to the fall weather we are all looking forward to. High’s will be in the 80’s. Thankfully, colder and longer nights are helping keep water temps down and improving the fishing. Sunday is looking cloudier and cooler than the rest of the week.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/19/25

Tricos and terrestrials will keep the dry fly purist entertained through the day- but the dry fly fishing has been slower with the warm sunny days we’ve had. A dry-dropper is a great prospecting rig. A streamer or bobber rig will serve you well in the deeper runs.

Local Species Available Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbows

  • Fish Icon

    cutthroats

  • Fish Icon

    cutbows

  • Fish Icon

    browns 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 #10-12
Yellow Sally N/A #14-16
Indicator Spinner - Trico N/A #18-20
Bead Head Caddis Pupa N/A #12-14
Plan B N/A #8-12
Rubberlegs N/A #8-12
Tunghead Pheasant Tail N/A #12-14
TH 20 Incher N/A #8-12
Spanish Bullet N/A #12-14
Duracell N/A #12-14

Stimulator

Image Not Found

Item #0928

Buy Now

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Clark Fork River

This major fork of the Columbia River, named after Captain William Clark of the Corps of Discovery, is the mother of all our local rivers. In proving her maternal resolve, the Clark Fork today flows clean and vibrant despite the decades of mining abuses imposed upon her by a less than conservation-minded state. Often described locally as two distinct rivers, the Clark Fork provides decidedly different characteristics on its upper and lower reaches. In the snaking meanders upstream of Missoula, butter-bellied browns explode on baitfish darting from deadfall snags and hoppers haplessly bumping along grassy undercuts. Following her confluence of the Blackfoot and Bitterroot, the Clark Fork through and below town widens and slows. (A dam was recently removed from this location and the river should continue to get better for years to come!) This is the ultimate for anglers hunting line-ripping rainbows and cutthroats on light tippets. Here, the biggest fish sip little duns and chase swimming nymphs around over knee-deep gravel bars. No matter your passion – #20 trico spinners delicately placed in rise ring lanes, dangling a needle-thin phez tail under a big bushy hoppers, or chuck'n and duck'n streamers – the Clark Fork offers a season and section for you.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula

Hatches:

Terrestrials and Tricos

Best Time to Fish:

Early AM

Best Stretch:

The entire river is in play. Be wary of Beavertail-Kelly and the Alberton Gorge if floating.

Best Access:

Multiple access points all along the river