Fishing Season: April-November

Middle Fork Flathead River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

42

Glacier Anglers's Tip of the Week

Sign up for our spring fishing schools May! Visit https://www.glacierparkcollection.com/activities/glacier-anglers-outfitters/lessons/fishing-school/ to register. The fly shop is open, so stop in if you're near West Glacier! Fish are beginning to migrate to their seasonal habitats. We have had a legitimate March Brown mayfly hatch on the lower parts of the Middle Fork with good-sized fish muching hard.

Directions open in app

Map of Middle Fork Flathead River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Glacier Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 4/21/25

Spring fishing is getting good! Air temperatures are climbing this week, with mixed sun and cloud cover, which should have some bugs coming off the water. We have been catching fish on dry flies including March Browns, midges, nemoura stoneflies and BWOs, and we expect this to continue through the week.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/21/25

Nymphs and worm patterns below BB-sized weights and a bobber continue to produce, but we are excited about the dry fly action and encourage you to put some mayflies and early stonflies out there! We are finding fish in the defined seams. Look for a recirculating eddy and let your flies follow the reverse current up the eddy and into the eddyline.

Local Species Available April-November

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Glacier Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Rubber-Legged Orvis CJ tan 12-16
Flashback Hares Ear Nymph olive 14-16
Griffith's Gnat olive 10-14
Cone Head Muddler Minnow natural 12-14
Pale Morning Dun Thorax white 18-20
CDC Mayfly Emerger grey 18-20

Bead Head Rubber-Legged Orvis CJ

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Item #46EC

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Glacier Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Middle Fork Flathead River

The Middle Fork of the Flathead River originates in the heart of the Great Bear Wilderness in one of the most remote and pristine areas in the lower 48. Once the river reaches Hwy 2, just west of Marias Pass, if flows westward, following the highway and making up the majority of the southern boarder of Glacier National Park until its confluence with the North Fork near Blankenship Bridge. The Middle Fork is a true Jewel, with excellent West Slope Cutthroat fishing along its entire length.

Nearest Airport:

Glacier International - Kalispel (FCA)

Hatches:

Double Beadhead Black Stonefly, Double Bead Bubblegum Pink SanJuan Worm, BWOs, March Browns, Goober Midge, and Nemoura Stonefly. We ARE seeing dry fly action!

Best Time to Fish:

afternoon

Best Stretch:

West Glacier Golf Course to Blankenship Bridge

Best Access:

West Glacier FAS