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Blackfoot River

Type
Freestone river, Montana (West)
Designation
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey) · Special-regulation trout water
USGS gauges
1 live
Guides
12 name it
Shops
6 nearby

Today on the Blackfoot River

Reading the gauge…

Regulations & access Guides & shops

The Blackfoot River is a freestone river in Montana, listed as Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey) by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

More about the Blackfoot River

1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks lists 17 species, including brook trout, brown trout and bull trout. 14 guides and 6 shops nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Missoula.

Updated · Sources: Montana's most-fished waters (FWP statewide angling pressure estimates, 2023 license year, top 250 by state rank), FISHMT :: Waterbody Details, USGS Water Data

The lower Blackfoot River running deep blue beneath a rocky bank and pine forest
Photo credit

The lower Blackfoot River east of Missoula. Photo: Bureau of Land Management, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it is

Blackfoot River is a freestone river in Montana. Our destination hub Missoula is 5 mi away in a straight line and lists it among its waters.

Flow now at the gauge
Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow Blackfoot River for flow alerts

Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.

Follow this water

Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.

Where to fish

About this

Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Montana FWP fishing access sites

Blackfoot River on the map

About this

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Map of Blackfoot River: gauges, shops and guides

RestroomsAccess map

Map of Blackfoot River with 1 USGS gauge, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Blackfoot River

Restrooms near Blackfoot River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Blackfoot River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.

Map of the restroom near Blackfoot River

Skip the map; every place is in the list below

Map of 1 restroom near Blackfoot River, numbered as in the list, with the water’s point marked.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

  1. Restroom

    0.4 mi away in a straight line
    • Vault or pit toilet (mapped)

    Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.

    Directions
    We don't know yet: is it clean? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
    • Is it clean?
    • Free?
    • Open to everyone?
    • Step-free?

    Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map

Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.

More water near Blackfoot River

  • The Clark Fork River in Missoula, with willow islands, a riffle and buildings on the far bankAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
    Photo credit

    The Clark Fork in Missoula, Montana. Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Clark Fork River

    Montana · about 8 mi

    Rainbow, brown & brook trout

  • Rock Creek flowing over a cobble riffle through a forested valley in the Lolo National ForestAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
    Photo credit

    Rock Creek on the Missoula Ranger District, Lolo National Forest. Photo: USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Rock Creek

    Montana · about 13 mi

    Rainbow, brown & brook trout

  • The Bitterroot River below forested mountains and a cloudy sky, seen from Lee Metcalf National Wildlife RefugeAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
    Photo credit

    The Bitterroot River from Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville. Photo: John David Stutts, CC BY 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Bitterroot River

    Montana · about 15 mi

    Rainbow, brown & brook trout

  • Ennis Lake partly iced over in early spring, with the snow-covered Madison Range across the waterAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Placid Lake
    Photo credit

    Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Placid Lake.

    Placid Lake

    Montana · about 19 mi

  • Marshy shallows at the edge of Henrys Lake, with the Henrys Lake Mountains behindAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Harpers Lake
    Photo credit

    Henrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Harpers Lake.

    Harpers Lake

    Montana · about 20 mi

  • The Flathead River seen from the bank at Columbia FallsAmong the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Clearwater River
    Photo credit

    The Flathead River from the bank at Columbia Falls, Montana. Photo: Mitchell O'Brien, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Clearwater River.

    Clearwater River

    Montana · about 22 mi

Regulations

About this

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

2 official designations

Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.

The water on the map

About this

Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.

Length
130.4 mi (125.3 in MT)
Drains
2,170 sq mi
Drop
2,069 ft · 15.9 ft/mi
Flows into
Clark Fork
Watershed
Blackfoot, Middle Clark Fork

Public land along it

About this

Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

22.1 of 125.3 mi on public land

  • Aunt Molly Wildlife Management AreaState Fish and Wildlife · 4.7 mi · restricted
  • Helena National ForestForest Service · 3.6 mi
  • Butte Field OfficeBureau of Land Management · 2.6 mi
  • Powell County Waterfowl Production AreaU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · 1.9 mi · restricted
  • Lincoln State ForestState Department of Natural Resources · 1.8 mi
  • Montana State Trust LandsUnknown · 1.7 mi
  • Lubrecht State Experimental ForestOther or Unknown State Land · 1.5 mi · restricted
  • Clearwater State ForestState Department of Natural Resources · 1.4 mi

+4 smaller areas

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Blackfoot River

About this

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

12 guides name it on their website

Guides

All Montana guides

6 shops nearby

All Montana shops

How these are chosen

Guides whose own website names this water come first, nearest first. Distances are straight-line.

Shops: fly shops first. A distance is shown when the shop’s website gives its location (within 60 miles); otherwise the shop is in one of the towns within 25 miles of the water.

Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories.

Species and hatches

About this

The species the agency lists here; presence varies by reach and season.

Listed by the state agency

  • Largescale Sucker
  • Longnose Dace
  • Longnose Sucker
  • Mottled Sculpin
  • Mountain Whitefish
  • Northern Pike Minnow
  • Peamouth
  • Redside Shiner
  • Rocky Mountain Sculpin
  • Slimy Sculpin

And 1 more on the agency page.

When the bugs come off

Regional hatch months: Northern Rockies
About this chart

5 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

  1. January: no charted hatch
  2. February: no charted hatch
  3. March: no charted hatch
  4. April: no charted hatch
  5. May: 3 charted hatches
  6. June: 2 charted hatches
  7. July: 2 charted hatches
  8. August: 1 charted hatch
  9. September: 1 charted hatch
  10. October: no charted hatch
  11. November: no charted hatch
  12. December: no charted hatch

Mother's Day caddis (Grannom) (May) · Salmonfly (May to June) · Salmonfly (May to July) · Salmonfly (July) · Trico (August to September)

Missoula

About this

Missoula sits where the Clark Fork, Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers meet in western Montana, with Rock Creek to the east.

Destination hub · 5 mi away in a straight line

Open the hubPlan a trip here

Fish these abroad

About this

Matched on the fish the agencies list for both waters first, then the same water type, an official designation or flagship listing on both, and a similar mapped size where USGS hydrography covers both.

At most two waters per country. A shared fish is a listing, not a promise: presence varies by reach and season.

Like the Blackfoot River? Same fish, overseas.

  • The Tongariro River running clear over boulders between steep native bushFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The Tongariro River from the Tree Trunk Gorge track. Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Tongariro River

    Waikato, New Zealand

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river

  • Daybreak light over the calm, dark Nipigon River between wooded banksFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Daybreak on the Nipigon River. Photo: Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Nipigon River

    Ontario, Canada

    Same fish: brook trout & northern pike · also a freestone river

  • The Sava Dolinka braiding over pale gravel between willows and spruce below the Julian AlpsFreestone river
    Photo credit

    The Sava Dolinka below the confluence with Beli potok. Photo: Savinjc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Sava Dolinka

    Gorenjska, Slovenia

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river

  • The clear blue-green upper Clutha running past golden autumn poplars at Albert TownFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The Clutha River / Mata-Au at Albert Town, near the Hāwea confluence. Photo: Photo by Lewis: Verduyn-Cassels, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Upper Clutha River / Mata-Au

    Otago, New Zealand

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river

  • The Credit River running over a shallow bed under a leaning tree at StreetsvilleFreestone river
    Photo credit

    The Credit River at Streetsville. Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Credit River

    Ontario, Canada

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river

  • Evening sun on the green banks of the River Moy at BanadaFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The River Moy at Banada Priory. Photo: Andreas F. Borchert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    River Moy

    Mayo, Ireland

    Same fish: brown trout · also a freestone river

Fish it when it's winter here

Southern seasons open while ours close.

  • Lake Taupō's blue water framed by yellow kōwhai and bush, hills across the lakeFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Lake Taupō. Photo: Ériugena, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lake Taupō

    Waikato, New Zealand

    Season open all year · DOC

  • Penstock Lagoon's open water below a shoreline of tall eucalyptsFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Penstock Lagoon, Central Highlands, Tasmania. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Penstock Lagoon

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open Aug–May · Inland Fisheries Service

  • The clear turquoise Río Limay flowing past green willows and rock outcropsTailwater
    Photo credit

    The Río Limay, Argentina. Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Río Limay

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Nov–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The broad blue-green Río Puelo between forested banks, mountains beyondFreestone riverRepresentative photo · not Río Petrohué
    Photo credit

    The Río Puelo at Las Gualas, Cochamó. Photo: Nicolás from seno de reloncaví, Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Petrohué.

    Río Petrohué

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • The Río Simpson running past the edge of Coyhaique under cliffs and hills in AysénLake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Lago Llanquihue
    Photo credit

    The Río Simpson passing Coyhaique, Aysén. Photo: Manxuc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lago Llanquihue.

    Lago Llanquihue

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • Lago Nahuel Huapi's blue water and wooded islands below snow-capped Andes, framed by conifersLake or reservoir
    Photo credit

    Lago Nahuel Huapi from Llao Llao. Photo: David, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lago Nahuel Huapi

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Oct–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The braided Oreti River across green farmland, mountains on the horizonFlagship waterRepresentative photo · not Mataura River
    Photo credit

    The Oreti River near Lumsden, Southland. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mataura River.

    Mataura River

    Southland, New Zealand

    Season open Oct–Apr · Fish & Game NZ

  • Old timber pilings reflected in the still water of Great Lake, a low wooded shore beyondFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Great Lake, Tasmania. Photo: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Yingina / Great Lake

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open all year · Inland Fisheries Service

Gear checklist

About this

A wade-fishing checklist for big western trout rivers: a 9 ft 5–6 weight outfit, nymph, dry and streamer setups, waders, boots and a wading staff, with estimated prices by tier and where to buy.

A woman in waders and a sun hat wades a broad river and casts, bluffs on the far bank

Big western rivers (wade fishing)

9′ rod, 5–6 weight, floating line · Rainbow and brown trout, whitefish

Open the checklist
Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

About this

Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

  • How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on reading water

Watch: nymphing basics

About this

Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

  • 90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on nymphing

Fish Tales

About this

Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Blackfoot River.

No stories from here yet.

Write the first story Share your day

Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

Something wrong?

All 18 sources and dates

A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.

Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge Blackfoot River near Bonner MT. Water type is our own classification.