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:

50

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

The Clark Fork is high and will continue to blow out with warmer weather through the weekend. Creeks are open since last Saturday - try fishing one of the many creeks that dump into the Clark Fork, most are looking pretty clear!

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 5/23/25

The Clark Fork River is running high and off-color due to continued spring runoff, making fishing more difficult in many sections. Fish are likely to be pushed to the edges so focus on softer water near the banks, seams, and eddies. Nymphing with stonefly patterns and worms is a solid choice in these conditions, while streamers fished low and slow can also move fish in murky water. The upper Clark Fork and sheltered backwaters may offer slightly better visibility and more fishable water. *Known Clark Fork Hazards: Beavertail-Clinton: 2 logs down in the left channel just above Clinton. You can sneak through now, but it is tight. Clinton-Turah: A few VERY sketchy spots through this section. Do not attempt unless you are very experienced.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/23/25

Time to bobber up again.  With high dirty water double your chances of finding fish with a double nymph rig.  Go BIG on your flies until clarity is greater than 2 feet of visibility.  As clarity improves we may have the opportunity for good dry fly fishing on Caddis and Drakes.  If you’re fishing a dry dropper try running a foam salmonfly pattern or a chubby.  1) the fish might see the dry and move for a big meal, and 2) it’ll hold up a big dropper.  This is 6wt season! Steamers: Sculpzilla, Articulated Sparkle Yummy, Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex, Gongas, Dungeons and Envys. Nymphs: Worms, Trina’s Squirm, Hot Bead Stone, TJ Hooker, Girdle Bugs, Jig Caddis Pupa, Duracell, Blowtorch, Jig Mini Bugger Dries: BWO: On Point, Purple Haze, Hi-Vis BWO, BWO Cripple, Dime Piece Spinner #18-20 March Brown: Brindlechute, Parachute PT, March Brown Cripple #12-14 Grey Drake: Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Carnage Drake #12 Caddis: Elk Hair Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, Hi-Vis CDC Caddis #12-14

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):
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A #6-10
Tunghead Stonefly N/A #6-8
Fly Formerly Known As Prince N/A #8-10
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

Vernille San Juan Worm

Image Not Found

Item #0290

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:

BWOs, March Browns, Grey Drakes, Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon to early evening.

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