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Generated canyon float scene representing Montana's Smith River, not an exact location photo
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Smith River Fishing Report — Montana

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.

See the source check time with the notice
Check the official noticeCheck river sources

Restrictions and advisories

Check Smith 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 restrictionLegal closure

Hoot-owl fishing restriction on the Smith River

Area
North and South Fork confluence downstream to Eden Bridge
Link checked
Link status
Check the agency now
Check again by
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 affected reach substantially overlaps the Camp Baker-to-Eden report corridor; the restriction remains time-specific.

The Camp Baker-to-Eden report corridor lies within the named fork-confluence-to-Eden 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
78 cfs
From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.
Air forecast
46°F
Next 24h high
59.0°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

Mostly Cloudy

Wind
0 mph
Weather checked
More forecast and source details

Mostly Cloudy

National Weather Service

Smith River near Eden forecast point

The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.

Live data

Where these readings come from

RiverReports gauge: Smith River near Eden

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.

Smith 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

Check Montana fishing rules plus the current Smith River permit-holder rules before packing. A valid fishing license is separate from Smith River float authorization.

Where to access the river

Camp Baker

The managed put-in for the permitted Smith River float area.

Eden Bridge

The managed take-out for the 59-mile Smith River area.

Assigned boat camps

Use the camp schedule and FWP instructions. Do not invent camps on private or fragile ground.

  • A Smith River trip is not a casual day float. FWP requires permits and fees for the managed area, and floaters need to follow registration and camp procedures.
  • FWP highlights food storage, human-waste, aquatic-invasive-species, and travel-in-bear-country requirements for permit holders.
  • Private-land boundaries, limited exits, and remote weather mean the safest plan is conservative even when the fishing looks good.

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

MontanaMissouri River fishing reportA more reliable tailwater backup if Smith River permit timing or flows do not cooperate.MontanaJefferson River fishing reportA larger valley-river option with less permit complexity but stronger warm-water constraints.
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.

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.

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 Smith River report is maintained from RiverReports and USGS Eden flow data, Montana FWP Smith River corridor and permit-holder information, restricted-use river permit guidance, fishing-access information, weather, generated-image disclosure, and permit-managed float 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.