Lolo Creek

Type: Freestone river, Montana (West)
Designation: Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
USGS gauges: None on it; nearest shown
Guides: 8 nearby
Shops: 6 nearby

Today on the Lolo Creek

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

No water temperature here.

Flow now: 908 ft³/s
Vs normal for Nov 5: Normal
Trend: Steady over 24 h
Last reading: Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST

At Bitterroot River near Missoula MT (USGS 12352500). No gauge on Lolo Creek. Nearest: Bitterroot River near Missoula MT (13.8 mi away), on the river it flows into. Lolo Creek's own flow is not measured. Provisional USGS data

Regulations & access Guides & shops

Lolo Creek 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 Lolo Creek

The nearest USGS gauge on the same stream system is shown, labelled. 11 guides and 6 shops nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Missoula.

Updated 5 Nov 2026 · Sources: Montana's most-fished waters (FWP statewide angling pressure estimates, 2023 license year, top 250 by state rank), USGS Water Data

Representative photograph of similar water; not a photograph of this place. — Representative photograph, not this water.

Where it is

Lolo Creek is a freestone river in Montana. Our destination hub Missoula is 18 mi away in a straight line. Montana has 2 waters named Lolo Creek in the USGS Geographic Names Information System; this page is the stream whose mouth is in Missoula County, the one the agency list names.

Nearest gauge (not on this water)

Bitterroot River near Missoula MT

USGS 12352500 · NWS BITM8

No gauge on Lolo Creek. Nearest: Bitterroot River near Missoula MT (13.8 mi away), on the river it flows into. Lolo Creek's own flow is not measured.

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

Flow 908 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 43 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
Below NWS action stage (official NWS category). That is not a statement that wading is safe. National Weather Service

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 908 ft³/s
Gauge height: 3.36 ft

Reading Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST · provisional USGS data

Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 908 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST	908	3.36
Nov 5, 2:00 PM MST	908	3.36
Nov 5, 1:00 PM MST	908	3.36
Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 10:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 9:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 8:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 7:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 6:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 5:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 4:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 3:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 2:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 1:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 12:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 4, 11:00 PM MST	925	3.38
Nov 4, 10:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 9:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 8:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 7:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 6:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 5:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 4:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 3:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 2:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 1:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 12:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 11:00 AM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 10:00 AM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 9:00 AM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 8:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 7:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 6:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 5:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 4:00 AM MST	969	3.43
Nov 4, 3:00 AM MST	969	3.43
Nov 4, 2:00 AM MST	969	3.43
Nov 4, 1:00 AM MST	978	3.44
Nov 4, 12:00 AM MST	978	3.44
Nov 3, 11:00 PM MST	978	3.44
Nov 3, 10:00 PM MST	986	3.45
Nov 3, 9:00 PM MST	986	3.45
Nov 3, 8:00 PM MST	995	3.46
Nov 3, 7:00 PM MST	995	3.46
Nov 3, 6:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 5:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 4:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 3:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 2:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 1:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 12:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 11:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 10:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 9:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 8:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 7:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 6:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 5:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 4:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 3:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 2:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 1:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 12:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 11:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 10:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 9:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 8:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 7:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 6:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 5:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 4:00 PM MST	1,020	3.49
Nov 2, 3:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 2:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 1:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 12:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 11:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 10:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 9:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 8:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 7:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 6:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 5:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 4:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 3:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 2:00 AM MST	986	3.45
Nov 2, 1:00 AM MST	986	3.45
Nov 2, 12:00 AM MST	986	3.45
Nov 1, 11:00 PM MST	978	3.44
Nov 1, 10:00 PM MST	978	3.44
Nov 1, 9:00 PM MST	969	3.43
Nov 1, 8:00 PM MST	969	3.43
Nov 1, 7:00 PM MST	960	3.42
Nov 1, 6:00 PM MST	960	3.42
Nov 1, 5:00 PM MST	960	3.42
Nov 1, 4:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 3:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 2:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 1:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 12:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 11:00 AM MST	942	3.4
Nov 1, 10:00 AM MST	934	3.39
Nov 1, 9:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 8:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 7:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 6:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 5:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 4:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 3:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 2:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 1:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 1:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Nov 1, 12:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 11:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 10:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 9:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 8:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 7:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 6:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 5:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 4:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 3:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 2:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 1:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 12:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 11:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 10:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 9:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 8:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 7:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 6:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 5:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 4:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 3:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 2:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 1:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 12:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 11:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 10:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 9:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 8:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 7:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 6:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 5:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 4:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 3:00 PM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 2:00 PM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 1:00 PM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 12:00 PM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 11:00 AM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 10:00 AM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 9:00 AM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 8:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 7:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 6:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 5:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 4:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 3:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 2:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 1:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 12:00 AM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 11:00 PM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 9:00 PM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 8:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 7:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 6:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 5:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 4:30 PM MDT	960	3.42

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 842–1,310 ft³/s (middle half of 43 years of record). Now: 908 ft³/s, normal.

Normal for this date. 908 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 43 years of record (1899–2026): 10th 696, 25th 842, median 1,040, 75th 1,310, 90th 1,620 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 615 ft³/s, highest 1,870 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 (−3.6% 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.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 3.37 ft stage, 916 ft³/s at Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST (NWS gauge BITM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 10 ft
Minor flood: 11 ft
Moderate flood: 13 ft
Major flood: 15 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 7:53 AM MST. Highest point: 3.36 ft, 908 ft³/s on Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	3.36 ft	908 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	3.35 ft	899 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	3.32 ft	874 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	3.3 ft	857 ft³/s
Mon, Nov 9	3.3 ft	857 ft³/s
Tue, Nov 10	3.3 ft	857 ft³/s
Wed, Nov 11	3.28 ft	840 ft³/s
Thu, Nov 12	3.28 ft	840 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 13	3.28 ft	840 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 14	3.27 ft	832 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

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.

Species

This gauge is on our page for Lolo Creek, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
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.

Open the USGS gauge page

Checked Nov 5, 4:19 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.

Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow Lolo Creek 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

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

Lolo Creek on the map

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Restrooms Access map

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

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Lolo Creek

Restrooms within 2 miles of Lolo 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.

More water near Lolo Creek

Among 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 14 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
908cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Running well now
Photo credit
The Clark Fork in Missoula, Montana. Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Clark Fork River
Montana · about 20 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
1,620cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Running well now
Photo credit
The lower Blackfoot River east of Missoula. Photo: Bureau of Land Management, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Blackfoot River
Montana · about 29 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
648cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Frenchtown Pond
Photo credit
Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Frenchtown Pond.
Frenchtown Pond
Montana · about 18 mi
Featured sport-fishing waterRepresentative photo · not Crooked Fork
Photo credit
The Snake River near Oxbow, Oregon, with Oxbow Dam in the far background. Photo: Adumbvoget, public domain, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Crooked Fork.
Crooked Fork
Idaho · about 19 mi
Rainbow & cutthroat trout
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Jocko 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 Jocko River.
Jocko River
Montana · about 31 mi

Among 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 14 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
Among 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 20 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
Photo credit
The lower Blackfoot River east of Missoula. Photo: Bureau of Land Management, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Blackfoot River
Montana · about 29 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Frenchtown Pond
Photo credit
Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Frenchtown Pond.
Frenchtown Pond
Montana · about 18 mi
Featured sport-fishing waterRepresentative photo · not Crooked Fork
Photo credit
The Snake River near Oxbow, Oregon, with Oxbow Dam in the far background. Photo: Adumbvoget, public domain, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Crooked Fork.
Crooked Fork
Idaho · about 19 mi
Rainbow & cutthroat trout
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Jocko 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 Jocko River.
Jocko River
Montana · about 31 mi

Regulations

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

Official designation: Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)

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.

Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
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
- state rank 111, 5,846 angler days (2023)

The water on the map

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.

Whole Lolo Creek, not only this reach.

Length: 31.8 mi (29.9 in MT)
Drains: 265 sq mi
Drop: 1,017 ft · 31.9 ft/mi
Flows into: Bitterroot River
Watershed: Bitterroot

Public land along it

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 of the whole Lolo Creek. 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.

10.9 of 29.9 mi on public land

Lolo National ForestForest Service · 10.5 mi
Travelers' Rest State ParkState Fish and Wildlife · 0.4 mi

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Lolo Creek

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

Guides

Montana Trout Outfitters
Missoula, MT · 13 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
BP
Bob Powell's Guide Service
Missoula, MT · 16 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Missouri River
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
MF
Montana Fishing Company
Missoula, MT · 16 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Madison & Gallatin
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
Clear Creek Outfitters
Missoula, MT · 17 mi
Beginners & lessons · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
Missoula Guided Fly Fishing
Missoula, MT · 17 mi
Float trips · Lodge packages · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
R R 406 Fly Fishing Guides
Missoula, MT · 17 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
MR
Montana Rivers and Ridges Outfitter
Stevensville, MT · 21 mi
Float trips · Beginners & lessons · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
John Perry's Montana Fly Fishing
Clinton, MT · 31 mi
Beginners & lessons · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide

All Montana guides

6 shops nearby

The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop
Missoula, MT · 17 mi
Fly shop · Guided trips · Lodging
- Unclaimed
View shop
Blackfoot River Outfitters
Missoula, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips · Fly tying classes
- Unclaimed
View shop
Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop
Missoula, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips · Lodging
- Unclaimed
View shop
Kingfisher Fly Shop
Missoula, MT
Fly shop
- Unclaimed
View shop
Mount Flyfishing Connection
Missoula, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips · Float trips
- Unclaimed
View shop
Renegade Fly Fishing Outfitters
Missoula, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips · Float trips
- Unclaimed
View shop

All Montana shops

Species and hatches

What 10 nearby guide websites mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.

Named on 10 nearby guide websites

Cutthroat trout4
Trout4
Brown trout3
Brook trout2
Rainbow trout2
Bull trout1
Northern pike1

When the bugs come off

Regional hatch months: Northern Rockies

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

January: no charted hatch
February: no charted hatch
March: no charted hatch
April: no charted hatch
May: 3 charted hatches
June: 2 charted hatches
July: 2 charted hatches
August: 1 charted hatch
September: 1 charted hatch
October: no charted hatch
November: no charted hatch
December: no charted hatch

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

Northern Rockies hatch chart

Plan your stay

Getting there

MSO · Missoula · 15 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
BTM · Butte · 104 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
GEG · Spokane · 162 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)

About this

Miles are straight-line distances, not drive times.
Airports: scheduled passenger service, from OurAirports (public domain) (2026-11-04).
Lodges are listed when their own website talks about fishing. Prices and availability are the lodge's own.

Missoula

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

Destination hub · 18 mi away in a straight line

Open the hub Plan a trip here

Gear checklist

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

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

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
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Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

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All 13 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: a point on the mapped channel of “Lolo Creek”, halfway along its length in Montana, from the USGS high-resolution hydrography (NHDPlus HR), read 5 Nov 2026. It marks the water, not a particular access or reach. Water type is our own classification.

Bitterroot River near Missoula MT

USGS 12352500 · NWS BITM8

No gauge on Lolo Creek. Nearest: Bitterroot River near Missoula MT (13.8 mi away), on the river it flows into. Lolo Creek's own flow is not measured.

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

Flow 908 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 43 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
Below NWS action stage (official NWS category). That is not a statement that wading is safe. National Weather Service

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 908 ft³/s
Gauge height: 3.36 ft

Reading Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST · provisional USGS data

Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 908 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST	908	3.36
Nov 5, 2:00 PM MST	908	3.36
Nov 5, 1:00 PM MST	908	3.36
Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 10:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 9:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 8:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 7:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 6:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 5:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 4:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 3:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 2:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 1:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 12:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 4, 11:00 PM MST	925	3.38
Nov 4, 10:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 9:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 8:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 7:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 6:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 5:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 4:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 3:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 2:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 1:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 12:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 11:00 AM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 10:00 AM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 9:00 AM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 8:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 7:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 6:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 5:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 4:00 AM MST	969	3.43
Nov 4, 3:00 AM MST	969	3.43
Nov 4, 2:00 AM MST	969	3.43
Nov 4, 1:00 AM MST	978	3.44
Nov 4, 12:00 AM MST	978	3.44
Nov 3, 11:00 PM MST	978	3.44
Nov 3, 10:00 PM MST	986	3.45
Nov 3, 9:00 PM MST	986	3.45
Nov 3, 8:00 PM MST	995	3.46
Nov 3, 7:00 PM MST	995	3.46
Nov 3, 6:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 5:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 4:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 3:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 2:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 1:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 12:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 11:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 10:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 9:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 8:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 7:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 6:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 5:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 4:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 3:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 2:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 1:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 12:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 11:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 10:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 9:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 8:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 7:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 6:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 5:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 4:00 PM MST	1,020	3.49
Nov 2, 3:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 2:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 1:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 12:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 11:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 10:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 9:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 8:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 7:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 6:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 5:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 4:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 3:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 2:00 AM MST	986	3.45
Nov 2, 1:00 AM MST	986	3.45
Nov 2, 12:00 AM MST	986	3.45
Nov 1, 11:00 PM MST	978	3.44
Nov 1, 10:00 PM MST	978	3.44
Nov 1, 9:00 PM MST	969	3.43
Nov 1, 8:00 PM MST	969	3.43
Nov 1, 7:00 PM MST	960	3.42
Nov 1, 6:00 PM MST	960	3.42
Nov 1, 5:00 PM MST	960	3.42
Nov 1, 4:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 3:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 2:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 1:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 12:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 11:00 AM MST	942	3.4
Nov 1, 10:00 AM MST	934	3.39
Nov 1, 9:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 8:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 7:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 6:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 5:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 4:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 3:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 2:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 1:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 1:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Nov 1, 12:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 11:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 10:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 9:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 8:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 7:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 6:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 5:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 4:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 3:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 2:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 1:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 12:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 11:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 10:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 9:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 8:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 7:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 6:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 5:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 4:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 3:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 2:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 1:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 12:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 11:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 10:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 9:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 8:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 7:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 6:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 5:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 4:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 3:00 PM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 2:00 PM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 1:00 PM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 12:00 PM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 11:00 AM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 10:00 AM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 9:00 AM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 8:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 7:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 6:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 5:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 4:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 3:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 2:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 1:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 12:00 AM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 11:00 PM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 9:00 PM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 8:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 7:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 6:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 5:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 4:30 PM MDT	960	3.42

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 842–1,310 ft³/s (middle half of 43 years of record). Now: 908 ft³/s, normal.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 615 ft³/s, highest 1,870 ft³/s.

Steady over 24 hours (−3.6% 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.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 3.37 ft stage, 916 ft³/s at Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST (NWS gauge BITM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 10 ft
Minor flood: 11 ft
Moderate flood: 13 ft
Major flood: 15 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 7:53 AM MST. Highest point: 3.36 ft, 908 ft³/s on Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	3.36 ft	908 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	3.35 ft	899 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	3.32 ft	874 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	3.3 ft	857 ft³/s
Mon, Nov 9	3.3 ft	857 ft³/s
Tue, Nov 10	3.3 ft	857 ft³/s
Wed, Nov 11	3.28 ft	840 ft³/s
Thu, Nov 12	3.28 ft	840 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 13	3.28 ft	840 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 14	3.27 ft	832 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

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.

Species

This gauge is on our page for Lolo Creek, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
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.

Open the USGS gauge page