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Generated broad valley-river scene representing the Clark Fork near Deer Lodge, Montana, not an exact location photo
All Montana reports

Clark Fork at Deer Lodge

Generated artwork: BlueStreamFly · Regional illustration; not the exact location.

Should I go fishing?

Check before you go.

A report-wide restriction or advisory needs verification before fishing.

Do not rely on the score, access-mode ranking, or fishing recommendations until the report-wide restriction or advisory is verified with the official source.

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Restrictions and advisories

Check Clark Fork at Deer Lodge 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 restrictionLegal closure

Hoot-owl fishing restriction on the Clark Fork River

Area
Origin at the Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek confluence downstream to the mouth of Flint Creek
Link checked
Link status
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Starts
Daily hours
Daily, 14:00–24:00 (America/Denver)
Repeats
Daily from 2:00 p.m. to midnight
What to know about this notice

The restriction applies only to the Upper Clark Fork through the mouth of Flint Creek; it does not reach Missoula or the Lower Clark Fork.

The Deer Lodge report corridor lies within the official Upper Clark Fork origin-to-Flint Creek reach.

Open the official notice: Montana FWP current waterbody closures and restrictions Opens in a new tab.

Flow and weather

Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
Flow
123 cfs
From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.Water 58.5°F · 24h high 62.2°F · USGS provisional
Air forecast
46°F
Next 24h high
66.0°F

NWS air forecast near

Rain chance
1%
Latest stored weather check

Mostly Cloudy

Wind
6 mph
Weather checked
More forecast and source details

Mostly Cloudy

National Weather Service

Clark Fork near Deer Lodge forecast point

The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.

Live data

Where these readings come from

RiverReports gauge: Clark Fork near Deer Lodge

Water 58.5°F · provisional · 24h high 62.2°F provisionalWater observed · high observed
Official USGS station Opens in a new tab.RiverReports gauge Opens in a new tab.Official NWS forecast Opens in a new tab.

Fly choices are paused.

Check the current warning, restriction, or advisory before choosing flies or tactics.

Seasonal fly and tactic guidance stays hidden while this stop or unverified notice applies.

More fishing tips

Methods, fish species and trip notes

Fishing advice is paused.

Use the official notice and current conditions instead of fishing advice.

Do not rely on the score, access-mode ranking, or fishing recommendations until the report-wide restriction or advisory is verified with the official source.

Clark Fork at Deer Lodge access and rules.

Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter.

Before you go

Check Montana's current fishing rules and any active closure or restriction notices before fishing. The upper Clark Fork can change quickly with runoff, heat, and seasonal management decisions.

Where to access the river

Kohrs Bend Fishing Access Site

FWP public access about 7 miles north of Deer Lodge with improved boat access and the cleanest named entry for this page.

Deer Lodge valley public entry points

Use clearly signed public access and bridge-adjacent legal entries only where parking and ownership are obvious.

Upper-valley float area

Best approached as a planned float between named public sites rather than a casual roadside shuttle.

  • Kohrs Bend is the most defensible public anchor for this route. Start there before chasing less-certain entry points.
  • Montana stream-access rights apply once you access the river legally, but they do not replace private-land respect around parking, fences, or bank entry.
  • This Deer Lodge page should not be confused with the Missoula Clark Fork page or the larger lower-river reaches near St. Regis.

If this water does not fit the day, check another report before you start the drive.

MontanaClark Fork River fishing reportA larger, more urban Clark Fork comparison with different access and flow behavior.MontanaLower Clark Fork River fishing reportA downstream big-river option once you want St. Regis and below-town context.MontanaRock Creek fishing reportA more famous freestone backup if the upper valley Clark Fork looks too warm or too muddy.
See all Montana fly fishing reports

Sources and report details

Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.

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 8 checked sources

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.

Source check is old. Last checked . Open the official links now and check for changes.

See something wrong? Report a source problem. Please do not send private spots or private access notes.

How this report was checked

How this report was checked

Trip guidance checked

What was checked: This Clark Fork at Deer Lodge report is maintained from RiverReports and USGS Deer Lodge flow data, Montana FWP fishing regulations, current closure and restriction sources, Upper Clark Fork drainage planning material, Kohrs Bend access information, stream-access law, weather, generated-image disclosure, and broad-valley 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.

Check the official notice first.

Fishing tips stay hidden until the official notice is clear.