Little Prickly Pear Creek is a freestone river in Montana, listed as Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey) by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow. 4 guides and 5 shops nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Craig & the Missouri.
Little Prickly Pear Creek is a freestone river in Montana. Our destination hub Craig & the Missouri is 7 mi away in a straight line.
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.
Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.
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.
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of Little Prickly Pear Creek: gauges, shops and guides
Map of Little Prickly Pear Creek with 1 USGS gauge, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.
Restrooms within 2 miles of Little Prickly Pear Creek 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.
No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.
Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.
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.
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)The Missouri River by the Craig Frontage Road, north of Helena (1991). Photo: Lankyrider, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Montana · about 3 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Holter ReservoirEnnis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Holter Reservoir.
Montana · about 6 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Dearborn RiverThe Smith River canyon in early-season snow (US Forest Service work trip, 2010). Photo: USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Dearborn River.
Montana · about 13 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake HelenaHenrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lake Helena.
Montana · about 22 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Hauser LakeLake Billy Chinook, Oregon. Photo: icetsarina, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Hauser Lake.
Montana · about 25 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Helena Valley Regulating ReservoirEagle Lake, Lassen County, California, with dry Horse Lake in the foreground (aerial). Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir.
Montana · about 27 mi
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
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.
On the Montana's most-fished waters (FWP statewide angling pressure estimates, 2023 license year, top 250 by state rank) list (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, read 2026-11-05). All waters with this designation
Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-05) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.
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.
3.8 of 35.1 mi on public land
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
Wolf Creek, MT · 7 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Yellowstone & Blackfoot
Nearby
Craig, MT · 7 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Missouri River
Nearby
Helena, MT · 29 mi
Saltwater & ocean charters · Beginners & lessons · Missouri & Holter Lake
Nearby
East Helena, MT · 32 mi
Float trips · Walk-and-wade · Missouri & Dearborn
Nearby
Craig, MT
Fly shop · Raft & boat rentals · Shuttles
What 4 nearby guide websites mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.
Named on 4 nearby guide websites
5 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Mother's Day caddis (Grannom) (May) · Salmonfly (May to June) · Salmonfly (May to July) · Salmonfly (July) · Trico (August to September)
Craig is a small town on the Missouri River in Lewis and Clark County, below Holter Dam and the town of Wolf Creek, between Helena and Great Falls; the Dearborn River joins the Missouri to the north.
Destination hub · 7 mi away in a straight line
What to bring on a guided float fishing trip: rain gear, polarized sunglasses, sun protection, a dry bag and your license. Most guides supply rods and flies. Estimated prices and where to buy.
Usually supplied by the guide; a 9′ 5–6 weight if you bring your own · Trout on most western float rivers
Open the checklistSeams, 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.
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
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.
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Little Prickly Pear Creek.
No stories from here yet.
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
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 Little Prickly Pear Cr at Wolf Cr MT. Water type is our own classification.
Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here
No water temperature here.
At Little Prickly Pear Cr at Wolf Cr MT (USGS 06071300) Provisional USGS data
USGS 06071300 · NWS LPPM8
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST · provisional USGS data
Above normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 4:45 PM MDT to Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST; ranging 61.9 to 76.2 ft³/s; latest 65.3 ft³/s.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM MST | 76.2 | 3.12 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM MST | 76.2 | 3.12 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM MST | 76.2 | 3.12 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM MST | 74.3 | 3.11 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM MST | 72.5 | 3.1 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM MST | 70.7 | 3.09 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM MST | 68.9 | 3.08 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM MST | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM MST | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM MST | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM MST | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM MST | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM MST | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM MST | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM MST | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM MST | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM MST | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM MDT | 61.9 | 3.03 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM MDT | 61.9 | 3.03 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM MDT | 61.9 | 3.03 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM MDT | 63.6 | 3.04 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM MDT | 65.3 | 3.05 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 29, 7:45 PM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 29, 6:45 PM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 29, 5:45 PM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
| Oct 29, 4:45 PM MDT | 67.1 | 3.06 |
Normal for Nov 5: 40–62 ft³/s (middle half of 39 years of record). Now: 65.3 ft³/s, above normal.
Above normal for this date. 65.3 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 39 years of record (1963–2026): 10th 34, 25th 40, median 48, 75th 62, 90th 79 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 29.8 ft³/s, highest 110 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (−2.7% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
NWS observed 3.05 ft stage, 60 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST (NWS gauge LPPM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS has not set flood categories for this gauge.
Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Montana FWP uses are 66°F, 68°F and 73°F.
This gauge is on our page for Little Prickly Pear Creek, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Checked Nov 5, 4:22 PM MST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)The Missouri River by the Craig Frontage Road, north of Helena (1991). Photo: Lankyrider, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Holter ReservoirEnnis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Holter Reservoir.
Montana · about 6 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Dearborn RiverThe Smith River canyon in early-season snow (US Forest Service work trip, 2010). Photo: USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Dearborn River.
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake HelenaHenrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lake Helena.
Montana · about 22 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Hauser LakeLake Billy Chinook, Oregon. Photo: icetsarina, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Hauser Lake.
Montana · about 25 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Helena Valley Regulating ReservoirEagle Lake, Lassen County, California, with dry Horse Lake in the foreground (aerial). Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir.
Montana · about 27 mi
Wolf Creek, Montana
Guest ranch · 4.2 mi
Craig, Montana
Guest ranch · 6.1 mi
Wolf Creek, Montana
Fishing lodge · 7.6 mi
Wolf Creek, Montana
Guest ranch · 12 mi
Cascade, Montana
Fishing lodge · 13 mi
