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:

71

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the upper Clark Fork River - from the Clark Fork's origin at the confluence of Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek to the mouth of the Blackfoot River starting July 11.

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 7/25/25

A steady warm stretch is in the cards: highs in the upper 80s to low 90s over the weekend, staying warm through midweek. Overnight lows around 55–58°F help cool the river each night, which sets up strong early-day fishing conditions. A few afternoon clouds and scattered showers may pop up. Focus on morning sessions when water temps are lower and trout are more active.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/25/25

The river is especially low and warm for this time of year. There is still some bug activity on the Clark Fork- most notably Nocturnal Stones in the early morning, Tricos mid- day, and a few PMDs in the afternoon. Hoppers are active, and the hopper bite should improve in the coming weeks. Fish the coldest hours of the day- on early, and off early.

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

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbows

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    cutthroats

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    cutbows

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    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

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Item #0928

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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:

Nocturnal Stones, PMDs, Tricos, Yellow Sallies, Caddis. Terrestrial fishing is getting better.

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