Blackfoot River fishing conditions · Montana

Sit it outno rainbow trout window clears the bar in 36 hours

Water is 41°, below the 45–68° rainbow trout like.

Right now: 41 for rainbow trout, sit it outTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Rainbow trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

412 pm
41
39
395 pm
29
31
318 pm
39
39
3911 pm
39Sun
39
392 am
39
39
395 am
39
39
398 am
39
39
3911 am
39
39
392 pm
39
39
395 pm
39
39
398 pm
39
39
3911 pm
39Mon
39

Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Water: 41°F
Wind: 3 mph
Flow: 634 cfs
Light: Daylight
Sky: Mostly Sunny
Air: 47°F
Barometer: Falling
Moon: 5% lit

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Montana Western District regulations for these waters.

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

41Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

41°

35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Below rainbow trout's active range (45–68°F). Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

3 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 3 trout a day in the general season, only 1 rainbow over 14" and browns any size; cutthroat and bull trout are released. Dec 1 to the third Saturday in May is catch-and-release on the mainstem.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Blackfoot River mainstem

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. More on rainbow trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

41Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

41°

35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Below brown trout's active range (45–68°F). Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

3 a day

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Blackfoot River mainstem

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Oct, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. More on brown trout

The water

Water temperature41°F
River634 cfs · steady · +0% in 24 h
Barometer30.18 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

Sunset today5:11 pm
Sunrise tomorrow7:27 am
MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
Minor solunarToday 3:40 pm–4:40 pm
Major solunarTonight 10:30 pm–12:30 am
Minor solunarTomorrow 6:50 am–7:50 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Montana FWP has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: Montana FWP · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

The river of Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs Through It,” flowing west out of the Continental Divide to meet the Clark Fork near Bonner. A freestone fishery for wild rainbow and brown trout and native westslope cutthroat and bull trout (both release-only), restored over decades from mining damage into a centerpiece of Montana fly fishing.

General season (third Saturday in May–Nov 30): 3 trout a day, only 1 rainbow over 14", browns any size; cutthroat, brook and bull trout are released. Dec 1 to the third Saturday in May the mainstem is catch-and-release with artificial lures or maggots, and the tributaries are closed.

WaterRiver
AccessPier, shore and ramp
RulesMontana Western District
WhereMissoula County · 46.8994, -113.7563

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Bitterroot River36 mi · MontanaBest now until tomorrow 8 pm

70Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Blackfoot River?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Blackfoot River you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Blackfoot River?

Blackfoot River is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Blackfoot River?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Blackfoot River against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Blackfoot River have?

Blackfoot River has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. General season (third Saturday in May–Nov 30): 3 trout a day, only 1 rainbow over 14", browns any size; cutthroat, brook and bull trout are released. Dec 1 to the third Saturday in May the mainstem is catch-and-release with artificial lures or maggots, and the tributaries are closed.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Blackfoot River?

state agency regulations apply at Blackfoot River. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Blackfoot River tidal water?

No. Blackfoot River is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.