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All Montana reports
Lower Clark Fork River
Should I go fishing?
Yes — worth going.
No single best way to fish. Bank fishing and Floating have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.
Fishing rating92
Rating updatedRiver local time:
Why this recommendation?
USGS shows 2,820 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1930-2026, 97 readings) show a typical middle range of 2,450 cfs to 3,570 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationHighCurrent flow, weather, alerts, and trip-critical signals support this decision.
Usually checks again about every 45 minutes
If you go
- Check first
- Use the St. Regis gauge for the river reach, and do not apply it blindly to reservoir sections.
- Try
- Decide whether you are fishing a river reach or reservoir-influenced water before rigging.
- Leave when
- Skip or pivot when the exact lower reach is unclear, FWP restrictions are active, wind makes the boat plan unsafe, water is too warm for trout handling, or public access and takeout details are not confirmed.
Flow and weather
Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
- Flow
- 2,820 cfs
- From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.
- Air forecast
- 40°F
- Next 24h high
- 76.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 0%
This is an air forecast, not a river-temperature reading. Check the water with a stream thermometer before fishing in hot weather.
Latest stored weather check
Patchy Fog
- Wind
- 0 mph
- Weather checked
More forecast and source details
Patchy Fog
National Weather Service
Lower Clark Fork near St. Regis
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
RiverReports gauge: Clark Fork River at St. Regis
Flies for this time of year
Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.
- Blue-Winged Olive PatternsBWOView fly guide ↗
- Sculpin PatternssculpinView fly guide ↗
- Leech PatternsleechView fly guide ↗
See flies for every season
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
March to April
What to look forSkwalas, March Browns, BWOs, midges, and early stonefly movement
Flies to try
May to June
What to look forRunoff edges, salmonflies, golden stones, caddis, PMDs
July to August
What to look forHoppers, ants, beetles, nocturnal stones, spruce moths where present
Flies to try
September to OctoberThis season
What to look forMahoganies, BWOs, October caddis, baitfish, fall streamer windows
Flies to try
Also try Mahogany, October caddis
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
More fishing tips
Methods, fish species and trip notes
How to fish Lower Clark Fork River today.
Fish the lower Clark Fork when flow is stable, visibility is good, and you have a section-by-section access plan. If the river is high, hot, windy, or unclear, choose a colder smaller stream or a smaller reach.
Stable river flow
Fish seams, bars, side channels, and bank structure with nymphs, dries, or streamers.
High water
Avoid heavy wading and focus on protected banks only if safe.
Warm lower water
Check temperature and shift away from trout if handling would be stressful.
Reservoir influence
Treat slower sections as a different fishery with wind, boat, and species changes.
Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Access choicesNo single best option
Bank fishing and Floating have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.
WadingNot recommended
This report does not recommend wading on this reach.
Bank fishing92/100
Bank and edge fishing remains a practical low-commitment option if access is legal and footing is safe.
Floating92/100
A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.
Full river report
Is Lower Clark Fork River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Montana before you go.
The lower Clark Fork changes from river reaches near St. Regis and Superior to dam and reservoir-influenced water farther downstream. This page uses St. Regis as the flow anchor and keeps the planning reach explicit.
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.
- 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.
- 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
FlowHelps
USGS shows 2,820 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1930-2026, 97 readings) show a typical middle range of 2,450 cfs to 3,570 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
SeasonHelps
Fall: Cooling water brings BWOs, streamers, and more comfortable trout handling.
WeatherHelps
The current NWS air forecast is about 40F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 76F. Patchy Fog.
Public alertsHelps
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Fishing usefulnessHelps
Skip or pivot when the exact lower reach is unclear, FWP restrictions are active, wind makes the boat plan unsafe, water is too warm for trout handling, or public access and takeout details are not confirmed.
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Use RiverReports and USGS 12354500 at St. Regis for the river reach, and avoid applying that gauge blindly to reservoir-influenced water farther downstream. Stable visibility is the best trout window. Warm or slow lower water can shift the target to warmwater species.
Skip or pivot when the exact lower reach is unclear, FWP restrictions are active, wind makes the boat plan unsafe, water is too warm for trout handling, or public access and takeout details are not confirmed.
Start by deciding whether the day is a St. Regis river plan, a Superior-area float, or a lower dam-influenced trip. Then match flies, leaders, and species expectations to that exact reach.
If the Lower Clark Fork is warm, windy, unclear, or too reservoir-influenced for the goal, compare the Blackfoot for colder freestone water, the main Clark Fork near Missoula for a more familiar town reach, or Rock Creek for a wade-focused trout plan.
Lower Clark Fork River 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
Montana FWP rules differ by Clark Fork reach and species. Check current rules, restrictions, and any advisory context before fishing or keeping fish.
Where to access the river
St. Regis flow reach
Primary river-flow anchor for this Lower Clark Fork page.
Superior and Plains area
Large-river access and boat logistics become more important downstream.
Thompson Falls and reservoir sections
A different, dam-influenced plan with more warmwater and boat considerations.
- Do not assume every lower-river bank is public. Use FWP access information and Montana stream-access rules.
- Dams, reservoirs, and wind can change boat safety and fish behavior downstream.
- Check consumption and harvest guidance before keeping fish from lower Clark Fork reaches.
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 6 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.
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.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This Lower Clark Fork River report is maintained from RiverReports and USGS St. Regis flow data, Montana FWP fishing regulations, current closure and restriction sources, stream-access law, weather, generated-image disclosure, and reach-specific lower-river planning guidance.
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.
Quick questions
What should I check first before fishing the Lower Clark Fork River?
Check the St. Regis gauge, exact reach, FWP restrictions, weather, access, and any harvest or consumption guidance.
Are there special fishing rules on the Lower Clark Fork River?
Yes. Lower Clark Fork rules vary by reach and species, especially as the river transitions toward reservoir water.
What flies should I bring for the Lower Clark Fork 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 Lower Clark Fork River?
Some edges are wadeable, but it is big water. Use official access and avoid assuming private banks are available.
When should I skip the Lower Clark Fork 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.