Marias River

Type: Freestone river, Montana (West)
Designation: Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey) · Special-regulation trout water
USGS gauges: 3 live
Guides: None listed
Shops: None listed

Today on the Marias River

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

No water temperature here.

Flow now: 285 ft³/s
Vs normal for Nov 5: Normal
Trend: Steady over 24 h
Last reading: Nov 5, 3:30 PM MST

At Marias River near Shelby MT (USGS 06099500) · 1 of 4 gauges below Provisional USGS data

The Marias 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 Marias River

3 USGS gauges on the water report flow.

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

Marias River is a freestone river in Montana.

Flow now at 3 gauges

Marias River near Shelby MT

USGS 06099500 · NWS SHLM8

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

Flow 285 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 121 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: 285 ft³/s
Gauge height: 2.86 ft

Reading Nov 5, 3:30 PM MST · provisional USGS data

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

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
NWS action stage (6,313 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS minor flood stage (8,613 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS moderate flood stage (23,085 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS major flood stage (35,486 ft³/s): above the range shown
Latest: 285 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:30 PM MST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous 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, 3:30 PM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 2:30 PM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 1:30 PM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 12:30 PM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 11:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 10:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 9:30 AM MST	280	2.85
Nov 5, 8:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 7:30 AM MST	280	2.85
Nov 5, 6:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 5:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 4:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 3:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 2:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 1:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 12:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 4, 11:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 10:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 9:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 8:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 7:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 6:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 5:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 4:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 3:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 2:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 1:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 12:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 11:30 AM MST	305	2.9
Nov 4, 10:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 9:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 8:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 7:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 6:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 5:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 4:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 3:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 2:30 AM MST	305	2.9
Nov 4, 1:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 12:30 AM MST	305	2.9
Nov 3, 11:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 10:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 9:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 8:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 7:30 PM MST	305	2.9
Nov 3, 6:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 5:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 4:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 3:30 PM MST	305	2.9
Nov 3, 2:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 1:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 12:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 11:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 10:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 9:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 8:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 7:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 6:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 3, 5:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 3, 4:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 3, 3:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 3, 2:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 1:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 12:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 11:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 10:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 9:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 8:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 7:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 6:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 5:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 4:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 2, 3:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 2:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 1:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 12:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 11:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 2, 10:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 9:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 8:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 7:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 6:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 5:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 4:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 3:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 2:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 1:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 12:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 11:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 10:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 9:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 8:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 7:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 6:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 5:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 4:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 3:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 2:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 1:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 12:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 11:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 10:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 9:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 8:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 7:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 6:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 5:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 4:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 3:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 2:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 1:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 1:30 AM MDT	295	2.88
Nov 1, 12:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 11:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 10:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 9:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 8:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 7:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 6:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 5:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 4:30 PM MDT	295	2.88
Oct 31, 3:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 2:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 1:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 12:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 11:30 AM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 10:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 9:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 8:30 AM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 7:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 6:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 5:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 4:30 AM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 3:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 2:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 1:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 12:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 11:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 10:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 9:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 8:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 7:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 6:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 5:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 4:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 3:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 2:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 1:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 12:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 11:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 10:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 9:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 8:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 7:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 6:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 5:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 4:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 3:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 2:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 1:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 12:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 29, 11:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 10:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 9:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 8:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 7:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 6:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 29, 5:30 PM MDT	280	2.85

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 248–472 ft³/s (middle half of 121 years of record). Now: 285 ft³/s, normal.

Normal for this date. 285 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 121 years of record: 10th 183, 25th 248, median 320, 75th 472, 90th 672 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 49 ft³/s, highest 1,520 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 (−5% 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 2.86 ft stage, 422 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:30 PM MST (NWS gauge SHLM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 8 ft
Minor flood: 9 ft
Moderate flood: 13 ft
Major flood: 15 ft

Forecasts are issued routinely during the warm season, and as needed at other times of the year.

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 Marias River, 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

Marias River near Chester MT

USGS 06101500 · NWS MRCM8

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

Flow 515 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 73 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: 515 ft³/s
Gauge height: 3.43 ft

Reading Nov 5, 3:15 PM MST · provisional USGS data

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

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 515 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:15 PM MST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous 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, 3:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 2:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 1:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 12:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 11:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 10:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 9:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 8:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 7:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 6:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 5:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 4:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 3:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 2:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 1:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 5, 12:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 11:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 10:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 9:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 8:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 7:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 6:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 5:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 4:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 3:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 2:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 1:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 12:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 11:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 10:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 9:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 8:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 7:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 6:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 5:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 4:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 3:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 2:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 1:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 4, 12:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 11:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 10:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 9:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 8:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 7:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 6:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 5:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 4:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 3:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 2:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 1:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 12:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 11:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 10:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 9:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 8:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 7:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 6:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 5:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 4:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 3:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 2:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 1:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 3, 12:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 11:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 10:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 9:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 8:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 7:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 6:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 5:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 4:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 3:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 2:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 1:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 12:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 11:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 10:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 9:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 8:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 7:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 6:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 5:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 4:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 3:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 2:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 1:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 2, 12:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 11:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 10:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 9:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 8:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 7:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 6:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 5:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 4:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 3:15 PM MST	520	3.44
Nov 1, 2:15 PM MST	520	3.44
Nov 1, 1:15 PM MST	520	3.44
Nov 1, 12:15 PM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 11:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 10:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 9:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 8:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 7:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 6:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 5:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 4:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 3:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 2:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 1:15 AM MST	515	3.43
Nov 1, 1:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Nov 1, 12:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 11:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 10:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 9:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 8:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 7:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 6:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 5:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 4:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 3:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 2:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 1:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 12:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 11:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 10:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 9:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 8:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 7:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 6:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 5:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 4:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 3:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 2:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 1:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 31, 12:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 11:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 10:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 9:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 8:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 7:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 6:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 5:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 4:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 3:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 2:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 1:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 12:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 11:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 10:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 9:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 8:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 7:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 6:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 5:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 4:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 3:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 2:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 1:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 30, 12:15 AM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 29, 11:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 29, 10:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 29, 9:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 29, 8:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 29, 7:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 29, 6:15 PM MDT	515	3.43
Oct 29, 5:30 PM MDT	515	3.43

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 367–692 ft³/s (middle half of 73 years of record). Now: 515 ft³/s, normal.

Normal for this date. 515 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 73 years of record: 10th 252, 25th 367, median 518, 75th 692, 90th 1,062 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 0.2 ft³/s, highest 2,020 ft³/s.

Steady over 24 hours (+0% 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 3.43 ft stage, 537 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:15 PM MST (NWS gauge MRCM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 9 ft

Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.

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 Marias River, 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

Marias River near Loma MT

USGS 06102050 · NWS LOMM8

Limited data: Not enough data: no water temperature or flow statistics here

No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
Flow not compared with normal: the reading is more than a day old.

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: 504 ft³/s
Gauge height: 1.22 ft

Reading Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT · provisional USGS data

This is the latest value USGS returned and it is more than a day old. It is not today's flow.

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous 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 1, 12:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 11:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 10:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 9:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 8:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 7:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 6:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 5:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 4:45 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 31, 3:45 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 31, 2:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 1:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 12:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 11:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 10:45 AM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 31, 9:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 8:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 7:45 AM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 31, 6:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 5:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 4:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 3:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 2:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 1:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 31, 12:45 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 11:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 10:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 9:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 8:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 7:45 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 6:30 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 5:30 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 4:30 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 3:30 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 2:30 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 1:30 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 12:30 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 11:30 AM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 10:30 AM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 9:30 AM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 8:30 AM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 7:30 AM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 6:30 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 5:30 AM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 4:30 AM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 30, 3:30 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 2:30 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 1:30 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 30, 12:30 AM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 29, 11:30 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 29, 10:30 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 29, 9:30 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 29, 8:30 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 29, 7:30 PM MDT	510	1.23
Oct 29, 6:30 PM MDT	504	1.22
Oct 29, 5:30 PM MDT	504	1.22

What this level means general guidance

Not compared with the record because the reading is old.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

NWS observed 1.23 ft stage, 486 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:15 PM MST (NWS gauge LOMM8; 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)

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 Marias River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

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

Marias River at Highway 223 bridge near Chester,MT

USGS 06101630

Limited data: Not enough data: no water temperature or flow statistics here

The water-temperature reading is more than a day old, so it is not used.
This gauge publishes no current flow, so it is not compared with normal.

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.

Water temp: 48.4°F (9.1°C)

No flow at this gauge. USGS does not publish discharge here, so there are no flow statistics either; it reports what is shown. Flow on the same river: Marias River near Chester MT (USGS 06101500, 9.2 miles away).

Reading Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT · provisional USGS data

This is the latest value USGS returned and it is more than a day old. It is not today's flow.

What this level means general guidance

The National Weather Service has no flood-stage gauge here, so no official flood category is shown.

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 Marias River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

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, 4:18 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 Marias 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

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

Marias River on the map

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Restrooms Access map

Map of Marias River with 4 USGS gauges.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Marias River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Marias 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.

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 Marias River

Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake Elwell
Photo credit
Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Lake Elwell.
Lake Elwell
Montana · about 12 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake Frances
Photo credit
Henrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lake Frances.
Lake Frances
Montana · about 54 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Fresno Reservoir
Photo credit
Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon. Photo: icetsarina, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Fresno Reservoir.
Fresno Reservoir
Montana · about 55 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Bearpaw Lake
Photo credit
Eagle 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 Bearpaw Lake.
Bearpaw Lake
Montana · about 65 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Milk River
Photo credit
The 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 Milk River.
Milk River
Montana · about 66 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Sun River
Photo credit
The Missouri River by the Craig Frontage Road, north of Helena (1991). Photo: Lankyrider, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Sun River.
Sun River
Montana · about 68 mi

Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake Elwell
Photo credit
Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Lake Elwell.
Lake Elwell
Montana · about 12 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake Frances
Photo credit
Henrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lake Frances.
Lake Frances
Montana · about 54 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Fresno Reservoir
Photo credit
Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon. Photo: icetsarina, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Fresno Reservoir.
Fresno Reservoir
Montana · about 55 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Bearpaw Lake
Photo credit
Eagle 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 Bearpaw Lake.
Bearpaw Lake
Montana · about 65 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Milk River
Photo credit
The 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 Milk River.
Milk River
Montana · about 66 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Sun River
Photo credit
The Missouri River by the Craig Frontage Road, north of Helena (1991). Photo: Lankyrider, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Sun River.
Sun River
Montana · about 68 mi

Regulations

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.

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
- Section 01: state rank 97, 7,132 angler days (2023)
Special-regulation trout water
On the District Exceptions to Standard Regulations (trout / gear rules) list (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, read 2026-11-05). All waters with this designation

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. 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.

Lake ElwellBureau of Reclamation
Marias River Wildlife Management AreaState Fish and Wildlife · restricted
Havre Field OfficeBureau of Land Management
Montana State Trust LandsUnknown
Lewistown Field OfficeBureau of Land Management

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Marias River

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

Guides

No guide within 40 miles yet.

All Montana guides

Shops nearby

No shop nearby yet.

All Montana shops

Species and hatches

The hatch and season chart for this water's region.

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

GTF · Great Falls · 58 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
HVR · Havre · 63 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
YYC · Calgary · 234 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.

Plan a trip here

None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.

No hub within 40 miles

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
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

Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Marias 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 15 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 Marias River near Chester MT. Water type is our own classification.

Marias River near Shelby MT

USGS 06099500 · NWS SHLM8

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

Flow 285 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 121 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: 285 ft³/s
Gauge height: 2.86 ft

Reading Nov 5, 3:30 PM MST · provisional USGS data

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

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
NWS action stage (6,313 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS minor flood stage (8,613 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS moderate flood stage (23,085 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS major flood stage (35,486 ft³/s): above the range shown
Latest: 285 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:30 PM MST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous 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, 3:30 PM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 2:30 PM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 1:30 PM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 12:30 PM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 11:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 10:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 9:30 AM MST	280	2.85
Nov 5, 8:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 7:30 AM MST	280	2.85
Nov 5, 6:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 5:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 5, 4:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 3:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 2:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 1:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 5, 12:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 4, 11:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 10:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 9:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 8:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 7:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 6:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 5:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 4:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 3:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 2:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 1:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 12:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 11:30 AM MST	305	2.9
Nov 4, 10:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 9:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 8:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 7:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 6:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 5:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 4:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 3:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 4, 2:30 AM MST	305	2.9
Nov 4, 1:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 4, 12:30 AM MST	305	2.9
Nov 3, 11:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 10:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 9:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 8:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 7:30 PM MST	305	2.9
Nov 3, 6:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 5:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 4:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 3:30 PM MST	305	2.9
Nov 3, 2:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 1:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 12:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 3, 11:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 10:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 9:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 8:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 7:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 6:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 3, 5:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 3, 4:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 3, 3:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 3, 2:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 1:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 3, 12:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 11:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 10:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 9:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 8:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 7:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 6:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 5:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 4:30 PM MST	300	2.89
Nov 2, 3:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 2:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 1:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 12:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 11:30 AM MST	300	2.89
Nov 2, 10:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 9:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 8:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 7:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 6:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 5:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 4:30 AM MST	295	2.88
Nov 2, 3:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 2:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 1:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 2, 12:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 11:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 10:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 9:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 8:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 7:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 6:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 5:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 4:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 3:30 PM MST	295	2.88
Nov 1, 2:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 1:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 12:30 PM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 11:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 10:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 9:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 8:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 7:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 6:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 5:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 4:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 3:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 2:30 AM MST	285	2.86
Nov 1, 1:30 AM MST	290	2.87
Nov 1, 1:30 AM MDT	295	2.88
Nov 1, 12:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 11:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 10:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 9:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 8:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 7:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 6:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 5:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 4:30 PM MDT	295	2.88
Oct 31, 3:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 2:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 1:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 12:30 PM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 11:30 AM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 10:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 9:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 8:30 AM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 7:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 6:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 5:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 4:30 AM MDT	290	2.87
Oct 31, 3:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 2:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 1:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 31, 12:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 11:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 10:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 9:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 8:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 7:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 6:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 5:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 4:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 3:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 2:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 1:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 12:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 11:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 10:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 9:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 8:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 7:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 6:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 5:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 4:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 3:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 30, 2:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 1:30 AM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 30, 12:30 AM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 29, 11:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 10:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 9:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 8:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 7:30 PM MDT	280	2.85
Oct 29, 6:30 PM MDT	285	2.86
Oct 29, 5:30 PM MDT	280	2.85

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 248–472 ft³/s (middle half of 121 years of record). Now: 285 ft³/s, normal.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 49 ft³/s, highest 1,520 ft³/s.

Steady over 24 hours (−5% 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 2.86 ft stage, 422 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:30 PM MST (NWS gauge SHLM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 8 ft
Minor flood: 9 ft
Moderate flood: 13 ft
Major flood: 15 ft

Forecasts are issued routinely during the warm season, and as needed at other times of the year.

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 Marias River, 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