Wade94/100
Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.
All Montana reports
Fly fishing report · West
Blackfoot River
Is Blackfoot River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Montana before you go.
See the flow chart ↓Photo: PinchyCC Opens in a new tab. · CC BY 4.0
Good day to fish?Latest river check
Great
Yes. This is a strong time to fish.
94
No clear best access mode. Wade and Float have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.
See update time and confidence
Live data checkHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Today's callHighCurrent flow, weather, alerts, and trip-critical signals support this decision.
Score calculated Aug 22, 2026, 10:51 PM MDTUsually checks again about every 45 minutes
Access choicesNo clear best mode
Wade and Float have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.
Bank / edgeNot recommended
This report does not recommend bank fishing on this reach.
Float94/100
A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.
Restrictions and advisories
Check Blackfoot River before fishing.
These notices match this river report. No notice here does not mean the river is open. Always check the agency before you fish.
Last known active — check nowOfficial restrictionAccess restriction
Construction-related floating restriction on the Blackfoot River
- Area
- Weigh Station Fishing Access Site downstream to where the river crosses under Interstate 90
- Link checked
- Link status
- Checked through Aug 12, 2026, 9:02 PM MDT
- Check again by
- Starts
What to know about this notice
This is a floating restriction caused by construction, not a fishing or heat closure; it applies only to the named reach.
The report includes lower Blackfoot water, but the construction restriction closes floating only on the named Weigh Station-to-I-90 reach.
Your plan
Today's Blackfoot River plan.
The Blackfoot can be a great freestone trout day, but it is also fast, cold, and sensitive. Use the Bonner gauge, check current FWP restrictions, and match your plan to access rules before fishing.
- Check first
- Use the Bonner gauge for the lower-river trend and do not wade heavy mid-channel current during runoff.
- Try
- Fish banks and inside seams first after runoff. Trout often avoid the heaviest current.
- Leave when
- Skip or pivot when FWP restrictions are active for your timing, water temperature is unsafe, runoff is pushy, area access or camping rules are unclear, or native-fish handling would be poor.
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
- 655 cfs
- From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.Water 66.2°F · 24h high 66.9°F · USGS provisional
- Air now
- 63°F
Current NWS forecast period
- Next 24h high
- 80.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 6%
For this forecast period
Latest stored weather check
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
- Wind
- 1 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
Blackfoot River near Bonner
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
RiverReports gauge: Blackfoot River near Bonner
Water 66.2°F · provisional · 24h high 66.9°F provisionalWater observed · high observed
How to fish it
How to fish Blackfoot River today.
The best Blackfoot windows are stable post-runoff flows, cool mornings, and enough clarity for fish to use banks, riffles, and softer seams. Rising, muddy, hot, or restricted water should change the plan.
Post-runoff green
Fish stonefly dries, rubberlegs, and streamers tight to banks and soft current.
Clear summer flow
Use hoppers, ants, caddis, and dry-droppers around shade and riffle edges.
High or muddy
Stay near soft edges only if safe, or wait for the river to drop and clear.
Warm low water
Check FWP restrictions and fish early, or move to colder water if trout are stressed.
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.
- Seam
- A seam is the line where fast and slow water meet.
- 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.
Why this call
Why this score
FlowHelps
USGS shows 655 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1898-2025, 93 readings) show a typical middle range of 557 cfs to 874 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
SeasonHelps
Mid to late summer: Hoppers, ants, beetles, and early starts matter; watch temperature closures.
Water temperatureHelps
USGS water temperature is about 66.2F, and the rolling 24-hour high did not trigger a heat caution. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it.
Public alertsHelps
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Fishing usefulnessHelps
Skip or pivot when FWP restrictions are active for your timing, water temperature is unsafe, runoff is pushy, corridor access or camping rules are unclear, or native-fish handling would be poor.
Trip notes
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Use RiverReports and USGS 12340000 near Bonner together. Dropping post-runoff water and cool stable mornings are the cleanest windows. High, muddy, or hot low water should move the plan to safer edges or a different river.
Skip or pivot when FWP restrictions are active for your timing, water temperature is unsafe, runoff is pushy, area access or camping rules are unclear, or native-fish handling would be poor.
Start with the Bonner gauge and the recreation-area plan. Then decide whether the day is a bank-focused dry-dropper float, a roadside wade session, or a short streamer window around clouds and clarity.
If the Blackfoot is high, warm, crowded, or restricted, compare Rock Creek for a wade-focused creek plan, the Clark Fork for larger Missoula water, or the Bitterroot for another freestone option.
What to try
Blackfoot 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, and early stonefly movement
May to June
What to look forRunoff edges, 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 streamer windows
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
Access and safety
Blackfoot 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 and current waterbody restrictions control seasons, harvest, methods, protected species, and heat-related closures. Check the current FWP pages before fishing.
Russell Gates to Johnsrud area
FWP identifies this as the managed Blackfoot River recreation area with special planning rules.
Bonner gauge reach
Primary flow reference for the lower Blackfoot and Missoula-area fishing plans.
Upper valley access
Use official sites and posted public land. Private ranch banks require permission.
Montana stream access does not let you cross posted private land to reach the water.
FWP area camping is limited to designated or permitted sites, so do not improvise camps on gravel bars.
Check current closures, hoot-owl restrictions, and fire or road conditions before committing to a float.
River sources
Official Blackfoot 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 Blackfoot River report is maintained from RiverReports and USGS Bonner flow data, Montana FWP fishing regulations, current closure and restriction sources, stream-access law, Blackfoot recreation-corridor information, 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.
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.
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.
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 and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
Quick answers
Quick Blackfoot River answers.
What should I check first before fishing the Blackfoot River?
Check the Bonner gauge, FWP current restrictions, water temperature, weather, and the area access plan.
Are there special fishing rules on the Blackfoot River?
Yes. Blackfoot rules include native-trout protections and section-by-section limits, so read the current FWP rules.
What flies should I bring for the Blackfoot River?
Bring the hatch-chart flies, a few confidence nymphs, and a streamer box. Then adjust for water temperature, clarity, and the insects you actually see.
Can I wade the Blackfoot River?
Yes in many places, but flows are pushy and access is not continuous. Use official sites and stay within Montana stream-access rules.
When should I skip the Blackfoot River?
Skip it when flows are unsafe, temperatures stress trout, wildfire or emergency closures are active, or legal access for the reach is not clear.