Fishing Season: April-November

North Fork Flathead River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

62

Glacier Anglers's Tip of the Week

The upper stretches are very low for floating, so be sure you have enough time for your stretch, and take a smaller boat. There is a strainer across the river in the right braid after Polebridge, so go left even though it looks skinny. Fishing is good--it's terrestrial season!

Directions open in app

Map of North Fork Flathead River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Glacier Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 8/26/25

Bring a thermometer with you to check the water temps. Cold nights are keeping the water temps in cutthroat's optimal range, but remember that. they get stressed out when temps climb up over 66 degrees. Currently, we're temping it at 64.

Techniques & Tips as of 8/26/25

Don't forget about the tailouts of runs. Often, bigger fish are sitting in those bubble lines at the tail ends of deep runs, waiting for the conveyor belt of bugs to slide over them. This is often in shallower water than you may expect to find them in, but don't give up on that drift! Also, look for cold, fresh water coming into the river, where you'll find hatches of mayflies and midges and eager fish in the seams coming off Parkside creeks and even Forest Service-side culverts.

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):
CDC Caddis purple 12-16
Elk Wing Caddis olive 12-16
Yellow Sally tan 12-14
Patriot Dry Fly blue, red 12-14
Flying Ant yellow 12
Hopper any color 14

CDC Caddis

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Item #17X1

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Glacier Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About North Fork Flathead River

The North Fork of the flathead Flows directly south from the Canadian Border, and makes up the western boarder of Glacier National Park until its confluence with the Middle Fork at Blankenship Bridge. The North Fork is an exceptional West Slope Cutthroat fishery, with breathtaking views of Glacier National Park.

Nearest Airport:

Glacier International - Kallispel (FCA)

Hatches:

Mayfly adult Stonefly adult Caddis adult Midge Mayfly nymph

Best Time to Fish:

mid-morniing

Best Stretch:

Big Creek to Glacier Rim

Best Access:

Big Creek