Wade0/100
Wading is the most sensitive plan today. Use protected edges only, avoid crossings, and downgrade quickly if clarity or current feels wrong.
All Montana reports
Fly fishing report · West
Big Hole River
Is Big Hole River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Montana before you go.
See the flow chart ↓Photo: Mike Cline Opens in a new tab. · CC BY-SA 4.0
Good day to fish?Latest river check
Poor
Not today. Make another plan.
25
Best option: Float. A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.
See update time and confidence
Live data checkHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Today's callHighA verified hard stop is active, so the avoid-or-wait decision is clearer than the fishing score itself.
Score calculated Aug 23, 2026, 3:45 AM MDTUsually checks again about every 45 minutes
Best access methodFloat
These scores compare the risks of wading, bank fishing, and floating.
Bank / edgeNot recommended
This report does not recommend bank fishing on this reach.
Float · Best fit5/100
A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.
Red Flag Warning issued August 22 at 9:08AM MDT until August 23 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
Your plan
Today's Big Hole River plan.
The Big Hole is a premier Montana freestone river, but drought, temperature, runoff, grayling conservation, and float rules can be the first decision. Start with FWP restrictions and the Glen gauge.
- Check first
- Use USGS Glen flow for this page. RiverReports coverage was not reliable enough to use as the visual source.
- Try
- Read FWP restriction pages before checking fly boxes. The river may not be fishable all day.
- Leave when
- Skip or move on when FWP restrictions are active for your timing, water temperature is unsafe for trout or grayling, flow is too low for an ethical float, or ranch-country access is unclear.
Live river check
What the river is doing
Check the latest flow and weather before you go. A quick change can make the river harder or less safe to fish.
Showing the latest stored river check while current readings load.
- Flow
- 225 cfs
- From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.Water 64.0°F · 24h high 70.0°F · USGS provisional
- Air now
- 53°F
Current NWS forecast period
- Next 24h high
- 82.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 12%
For this forecast period
Latest stored weather check
Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
- Wind
- 5 mph
- Weather checked
Recent flow chart is loading
The latest stored reading is shown above. Check the official source below if you need the newest value now.
More forecast and source details
National Weather Service
Big Hole River near Glen
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
Latest stored USGS gauge: Big Hole River near Glen
Water 64.0°F · provisional · 24h high 70.0°F provisionalWater observed · high observed
From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.
How to fish it
How to fish Big Hole River today.
The best Big Hole days have stable post-runoff water, cool temperatures, and no active restriction that changes your plan. If temperatures climb or flows drop, fish early or choose another river.
Runoff edge
Use stonefly nymphs, streamers, and bank tactics only where clarity and safety allow.
Post-runoff stable
Prime dry-dropper, caddis, PMD, and stonefly fishing through riffles and banks.
Low and warm
Check restrictions, fish early if legal, and stop when trout handling is unsafe.
Fall cooling
Use BWOs, mahoganies, October caddis, and streamers in cloud cover.
Fishing words used on this page
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
- A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
- Cubic feet per second (cfs)
- Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
- Nymph
- A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
- Riffle
- A riffle is shallow, fast water broken by rocks.
- Blue-winged olive (BWO)
- Blue-winged olives, or BWOs, are small mayflies that often hatch in cool or cloudy weather.
- Caddis
- Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
- Dry-dropper
- A dry-dropper rig has a floating fly with an underwater fly tied below it.
- Emerger
- An emerger copies an insect as it rises from below the water toward the surface.
- Midge
- Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.
- Pale morning dun (PMD)
- Pale morning duns, or PMDs, are light-colored mayflies that often hatch in warmer months.
Why this call
Why this score
Public alertHurts
An active alert is in effect: Red Flag Warning issued August 22 at 9:08AM MDT until August 23 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT. Check public safety sources before going.
Best mode nowHurts
Float: A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.
Recent water heatUse caution
USGS shows a current water temperature near 64F, but the rolling 24-hour high reached about 70F. A cool dawn reading does not erase recent heat stress. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it. Fish only during the legal early window and stop if the water warms.
FlowHelps
USGS shows 225 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1998-2024, 27 readings) show a typical middle range of 179 cfs to 376 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
SeasonHelps
Late summer: Hoppers can be strong, but drought and hoot-owl checks are mandatory.
Trip notes
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Use USGS 06026210 near Glen for the page's flow trend. Stable post-runoff water is the cleanest window. Low warm water should trigger early fishing only if legal, quick handling, or a move to cooler water.
Skip or move on when FWP restrictions are active for your timing, water temperature is unsafe for trout or grayling, flow is too low for an ethical float, or ranch-country access is unclear.
Start with FWP restrictions and the Glen gauge. Then decide whether the day is a stonefly bank plan, a summer hopper float, an early-morning low-water session, or a fall streamer window.
If the Big Hole is high, low, warm, restricted, or logistically awkward, compare the Bighorn for a steadier tailwater, the Bitterroot for another freestone option, or the Madison for a different Montana trout plan.
What to try
Big Hole River flies through the year.
Match the time of year, then let rising fish and current speed guide the next change.
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
March to April
What to look forSkwalas, March Browns, BWOs, midges
May to June
What to look forRunoff edge, salmonflies, golden stones, caddis, PMDs
July to AugustCurrent
What to look forHoppers, ants, beetles, nocturnal stones, spruce moths where present
Flies to try
September to October
What to look forMahoganies, BWOs, October caddis, baitfish, fall streamers
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
Access and safety
Big Hole River access and rules.
Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter. Montana FWP rules, current waterbody closures, hoot-owl restrictions, and access-site rules control the Big Hole plan. Check them before fishing.
Melrose and Maiden Rock area
Common middle-river planning area with FWP access-site checks.
Glen gauge reach
Primary flow reference for this report and a useful middle-river trend.
FWP fishing access sites
Use official FishMT pages for site status, rules, and float logistics.
FWP access sites and river restrictions should be checked before committing to a float.
Ranch-country banks are not automatically public access. Use legal sites and respect fences and posted land.
The river can become too warm or low for ethical trout handling even when a hatch is happening.
River sources
Official Big Hole River sources.
Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This Big Hole River report is maintained from USGS Glen flow data, Montana FWP fishing regulations, current closure and restriction sources, Big Hole drought-management information, FishMT waterbody and access records, weather, media-credit, and freestone trout planning sources.
Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.
First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
See all 7 checked sources
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
What this source covers
Open this page for more river information and check when it was last updated.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
Quick answers
Quick Big Hole River answers.
What should I check first before fishing the Big Hole River?
Check Montana FWP restrictions, Glen flow, water temperature, access-site status, and weather before fishing.
Are there special fishing rules on the Big Hole River?
Yes. Montana rules plus current restrictions or hoot-owl closures can change the day.
Is the Big Hole River a good fly-fishing river?
Yes, if you match the reach, season, target species, water temperature, and current access rules. This report is built to help you choose that plan.
What flies should I bring for the Big Hole River?
Bring the hatch-chart flies, confidence nymphs, and a backup streamer or warmwater box so you can adjust to flow, clarity, and temperature.
How should I plan access for the Big Hole River?
Use FWP fishing access sites and legal float/wade access. Ranch banks and informal pullouts are not automatically public.