7-day U.S. Geological Survey chart
Recent flow
Discharge
933 cfs688 cfs
Sep 5Sep 11
Latest reading: 913 cfs. Rising over about 6 hours. Chart covers Sep 5 through Sep 11; readings are provisional and may be revised.
Should I go fishing?
Check the water temperature first.
Water temperature is unconfirmed. Use a stream thermometer; stop trout fishing at 70°F or warmer, or sooner if fish show stress.
Fishing rating73
Rating updatedRiver local time:
Why this recommendation?
USGS shows 923 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1891-2025, 135 readings) show a median near 1,550 cfs and a low-water marker near 928 cfs; today's flow is unusually low for the date. Low water can make fish spooky, warm, pressured, or concentrated; check temperature and handling risk.
Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationMediumWater temperature not verified; do not use this score to clear warm-water risk.
Usually checks again about every 45 minutes
If you go
- Check first
- Use USGS Spokane for the core live flow check.
- Try
- Fish riffle seams, basalt ledges, bridge shade, and pocket water with short casts.
- Leave when
- Skip redband trout fishing when water temperatures are high, when WDFW rules or posted access are unclear, when urban runoff or safety conditions look poor, or when the day would require wading pushy canyon water alone.
Flow and weather
Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
- Flow
- 913 cfs
- Rising over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this reading
- Air forecast
- 55°F
- Next 24h high
- 74.0°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
Partly Cloudy
- Wind
- 1 mph
- Weather checked
More forecast and source details
Partly Cloudy
National Weather Service
Spokane River at Spokane, Washington
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
Current U.S. Geological Survey gauge: Spokane River at Spokane
Rising over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this readingObserved
Flies for this time of year
Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.
- Baitfish and Minnow PatternsBaitfish streamerView fly guide ↗
- Woolly Buggerolive buggerView fly guide ↗
- Soft-Hackle Wet Fliessoft hackleView fly guide ↗
See flies for every season
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
April to May
What to look forWarming smallmouth water, caddis, minnows, crayfish, and bank insects
Flies to try
Also try crayfish, hellgrammite, swimming nymph
June to August
What to look forLow-light topwater, hoppers, cicadas, damselflies, and shade-line baitfish
Flies to try
Foam popperBass and Panfish Popper Patterns→hopperGrasshopper Patterns→baitfish streamerBaitfish and Minnow Patterns→
Also try slider, cicada, crayfish
September to NovemberThis season
What to look forCooling water, minnow movement, crayfish, and steady streamer fishing
Flies to try
Baitfish streamerBaitfish and Minnow Patterns→olive buggerWoolly Bugger→soft hackleSoft-Hackle Wet Flies→
Also try crayfish, hellgrammite
December to March
What to look forDeep winter holding water, midges, small baitfish, and limited warmwater windows
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
More fishing tips
Methods, fish species and trip notes
How to fish Spokane River today.
The best windows are stable flows, cool water, and enough clarity to fish ledges and seams. If temperatures are high, shift away from trout handling or fish early and stop quickly.
Stable moderate flow
Best for reading riffles, ledges, and seams.
High flow
Stay off pushy ledges and fish banks only where safe.
Low summer flow
Fish early, check temperature, and consider bass instead of trout.
Dam changes
Watch the hydrograph for flow swings before committing to a wade.
Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Access choicesNo single best option
Wading and Bank fishing have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.
Wading73/100
Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.
Bank fishing73/100
Bank and edge fishing remains a practical low-commitment option if access is legal and footing is safe.
FloatingNot recommended
This report does not recommend floating this reach.
Full river report
Is Spokane River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Washington before you go.
The Spokane is a real fly-fishing river in an urban setting. Use the Spokane gauge, confirm WDFW rules, and handle native redband trout carefully. Summer heat and dam-influenced flows can change the plan.
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.
- Caddis
- Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
- Midge
- Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.
- Pocket water
- Pocket water is a small calm spot among rocks or fast current.
- River reach
- A reach is one named section of a river or stream.
- Soft hackle
- A soft-hackle fly has moving fibers that can look like an insect rising through the water.
Why this call
Why this score
FlowUse caution
USGS shows 923 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1891-2025, 135 readings) show a median near 1,550 cfs and a low-water marker near 928 cfs; today's flow is unusually low for the date. Low water can make fish spooky, warm, pressured, or concentrated; check temperature and handling risk.
SeasonHelps
Fall: Cooling water improves trout handling and streamer fishing.
WeatherHelps
The current NWS air forecast is about 55F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 74F. Partly Cloudy.
Public alertsHelps
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Fishing usefulnessHelps
Skip redband trout fishing when water temperatures are high, when WDFW rules or posted access are unclear, when urban runoff or safety conditions look poor, or when the day would require wading pushy canyon water alone.
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Use USGS 12422500 at Spokane as the core live trend. Moderate, stable flow with cool water is the best trout fit. High water, heat, or sudden flow changes should move the plan to bank observation, bass water, or another river.
Skip redband trout fishing when water temperatures are high, when WDFW rules or posted access are unclear, when urban runoff or safety conditions look poor, or when the day would require wading pushy canyon water alone.
Start with the Spokane gauge and the legal access point, then choose the method. Nymph riffle edges when cool flows support trout, swing soft edges in shoulder seasons, or switch to streamers and warmwater flies only where that plan fits the reach.
If the Spokane is too warm, too high, or access feels uncertain, compare the Yakima for a trout-first plan, the Grande Ronde for a more remote canyon decision, or the Deschutes for another basalt-river reference point.
Spokane 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 WDFW rules before fishing the Spokane River, including redband trout rules, season dates, gear requirements, and any access or water-quality advisories.
Where to access the river
Spokane city reach
Urban access with paths, bridges, and current-speed awareness.
Canyon and park reaches
Basalt ledge water where flows and footing matter.
USGS Spokane gauge area
Primary flow reference for this report.
- Urban rivers require extra attention to posted closures and water-quality alerts.
- Dams and hydro operations can affect flow and wading safety.
- Summer trout handling should be limited when water temperatures are high.
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 5 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.
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.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This report is maintained from current regulation, access, flow, weather, and public planning sources so anglers can make better trip decisions than a raw gauge or generic overview would allow.
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 before fishing Spokane River?
WDFW rules, Spokane flow, water temperature, access closures, water quality, and fish handling
Which flow should I use for Spokane River?
Use USGS 12422500 Spokane River at Spokane for the core city and canyon flow trend.
Where should I start on Spokane River?
Start with public city and park access, then confirm posted closures and choose a short wade before expanding.
Can I wade Spokane River?
Yes in selected stable flows, but basalt ledges, dam changes, and urban hazards require caution.