Whitefish River

Type: Freestone river, Montana (West)
Designation: Special-regulation trout water
USGS gauges: 1 live
Guides: 6 nearby
Shops: 11 nearby

Today on the Whitefish River

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

No water temperature here.

Flow now: 56.9 ft³/s
Vs normal for Nov 5: Normal
Trend: Steady over 24 h
Last reading: Nov 5, 4:45 PM MST

At Whitefish River near Kalispell MT (USGS 12366000) Provisional USGS data

The Whitefish River is a freestone river in Montana, listed as Special-regulation trout water by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

More about the Whitefish River

1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow. 6 guides and 11 shops nearby are listed here.

Updated 5 Nov 2026 · Sources: District Exceptions to Standard Regulations (trout / gear rules), USGS Water Data

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

Where it is

Whitefish River is a freestone river in Montana.

Flow now at the gauge

Whitefish River near Kalispell MT

USGS 12366000 · NWS WHRM8

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

Flow 56.9 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 60 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: 56.9 ft³/s
Gauge height: 1.45 ft

Reading Nov 5, 4:45 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 (1,300 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS minor flood stage (1,440 ft³/s): above the range shown
Latest: 56.9 ft³/s at Nov 5, 4:45 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, 4:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 2:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 1:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 12:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 11:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 10:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 9:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 8:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 7:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 6:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 5:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 4:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 3:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 2:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 1:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 12:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 11:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 10:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 9:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 8:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 7:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 6:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 5:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 4:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 3:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 2:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 1:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 12:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 11:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 10:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 9:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 8:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 7:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 6:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 5:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 4:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 3:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 2:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 1:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 12:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 11:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 10:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 9:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 8:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 7:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 6:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 5:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 4:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 3:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 2:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 1:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 12:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 11:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 10:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 9:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 8:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 7:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 6:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 5:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 4:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 3:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 2:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 1:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 12:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 11:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 10:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 9:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 8:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 7:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 6:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 5:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 4:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 3:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 2:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 1:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 12:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 11:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 10:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 9:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 8:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 7:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 6:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 5:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 4:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 3:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 2:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 1:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 12:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 11:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 10:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 9:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 8:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 7:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 6:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 5:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 1, 4:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 3:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 2:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 1:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 12:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 11:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 10:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 9:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 8:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 7:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 6:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 5:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 4:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 3:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 2:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 1:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 1:45 AM MDT	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 11:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 10:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 9:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 8:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 7:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 6:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 5:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 4:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 3:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 2:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 1:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 12:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 11:45 AM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 10:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 9:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 8:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 7:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 6:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 5:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 4:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 3:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 2:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 1:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 12:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 11:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 10:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 9:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 8:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 7:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 6:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 5:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 4:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 3:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 2:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 1:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 12:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 11:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 10:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 9:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 8:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 7:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 6:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 5:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 4:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 3:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 2:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 1:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 12:45 AM MDT	60.8	1.48
Oct 29, 11:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 10:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 9:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 8:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 7:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 6:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 5:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 48–83 ft³/s (middle half of 60 years of record). Now: 56.9 ft³/s, normal.

Normal for this date. 56.9 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 60 years of record (1930–2026): 10th 28, 25th 48, median 63, 75th 83, 90th 116 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 8.9 ft³/s, highest 204 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 (+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 1.45 ft stage, 57 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST (NWS gauge WHRM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 5 ft
Minor flood: 5.4 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 8:42 AM MST. Highest point: 1.45 ft, 57 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	1.45 ft	57 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	1.45 ft	57 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	1.45 ft	57 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	1.44 ft	56 ft³/s
Mon, Nov 9	1.44 ft	56 ft³/s
Tue, Nov 10	1.43 ft	54 ft³/s
Wed, Nov 11	1.43 ft	54 ft³/s
Thu, Nov 12	1.43 ft	54 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 13	1.43 ft	54 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 14	1.42 ft	53 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 Whitefish 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

Checked Nov 5, 4:59 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 Whitefish 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

Whitefish River on the map

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Restrooms Access map

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

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Whitefish River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Whitefish 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 Whitefish River

Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Blanchard Lake
Photo credit
Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Blanchard Lake.
Blanchard Lake
Montana · about 6 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake Blaine
Photo credit
Henrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lake Blaine.
Lake Blaine
Montana · about 9 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Whitefish Lake
Photo credit
Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon. Photo: icetsarina, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Whitefish Lake.
Whitefish Lake
Montana · about 10 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Church Slough
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 Church Slough.
Church Slough
Montana · about 13 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not North Fork Flathead 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 North Fork Flathead River.
North Fork Flathead River
Montana · about 14 mi
650cfsFlow now · much below normal for the date
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake Five
Photo credit
Crowley Lake and the Long Valley Caldera from US 395. Photo: Clinton Steeds, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lake Five.
Lake Five
Montana · about 16 mi

Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Blanchard Lake
Photo credit
Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Blanchard Lake.
Blanchard Lake
Montana · about 6 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake Blaine
Photo credit
Henrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lake Blaine.
Lake Blaine
Montana · about 9 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Whitefish Lake
Photo credit
Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon. Photo: icetsarina, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Whitefish Lake.
Whitefish Lake
Montana · about 10 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Church Slough
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 Church Slough.
Church Slough
Montana · about 13 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not North Fork Flathead 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 North Fork Flathead River.
North Fork Flathead River
Montana · about 14 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lake Five
Photo credit
Crowley Lake and the Long Valley Caldera from US 395. Photo: Clinton Steeds, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lake Five.
Lake Five
Montana · about 16 mi

Regulations

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

Official designation: Special-regulation trout water

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.

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

The water on the map

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

Length: 24.8 mi (23.3 in MT)
Drains: 174 sq mi
Drop: 93 ft · 3.8 ft/mi
Flows into: Stillwater River
Watershed: Stillwater

Guides and shops near Whitefish River

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

Guides

Flathead Fly Fishing Guides
Columbia Falls, MT · 4 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Missouri & Flathead
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
Lakestream Outfitters
Whitefish, MT · 6 mi
Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
Montana Fishing Guides
Columbia Falls, MT · 6 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
GA
Glacier Anglers and Outfitters
West Glacier, MT · 18 mi
Float trips · Raft trips · Flathead River
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
School of Trout
Bigfork, MT · 21 mi
Drift boat · Beginners & lessons · Henry's Fork
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
WT
Wild Trout Adventures
Bigfork, MT · 25 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Flathead & Swan
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide

All Montana guides

11 shops nearby

True Water Fly Shop
Kalispell, MT · 9 mi
Fly shop · Guided trips · Casting lessons & classes
- Unclaimed
View shop
Gilman Grips
Whitefish, MT
Fly shop
- Unclaimed
View shop
LF
Lakestream Fly Fishing Shop
Whitefish, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips
- Unclaimed
View shop
LF
Lakestream Fly Shop
Whitefish, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips
- Unclaimed
View shop
Lary's Fly and Supply
Columbia Falls, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips · Float trips
- Unclaimed
View shop
AF
Arends Fly Shop
Columbia Falls, MT
Fly shop
- Unclaimed
View shop

All Montana shops

Species and hatches

What 6 nearby guide websites mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.

Named on 6 nearby guide websites

Mountain whitefish5
Cutthroat trout4
Northern pike3
Arctic grayling2
Smallmouth bass2
Brown trout1
Bull trout1
Crappie1

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

Fishing lodges nearby

All lodges

Glacier International Lodge
Kalispell, Montana
Fishing lodge · 1.8 mi
- Unclaimed
River Meadow Ranch
Whitefish, Montana
Guest ranch · 5.1 mi
- Unclaimed
Wilderness Lodge/Skyline Out
Hungry Horse, Montana
Fishing lodge · 11 mi
- Unclaimed
- Guided fishing

Getting there

FCA · Kalispell · 1 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
MSO · Missoula · 97 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
GEG · Spokane · 158 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 Whitefish 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 11 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 Whitefish River near Kalispell MT. Water type is our own classification.

Whitefish River near Kalispell MT

USGS 12366000 · NWS WHRM8

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

Flow 56.9 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 60 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: 56.9 ft³/s
Gauge height: 1.45 ft

Reading Nov 5, 4:45 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 (1,300 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS minor flood stage (1,440 ft³/s): above the range shown
Latest: 56.9 ft³/s at Nov 5, 4:45 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, 4:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 2:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 1:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 12:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 11:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 10:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 9:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 8:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 7:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 6:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 5:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 4:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 3:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 2:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 1:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 5, 12:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 11:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 10:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 9:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 8:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 7:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 6:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 5:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 4:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 3:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 2:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 1:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 12:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 11:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 10:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 9:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 8:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 7:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 6:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 5:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 4:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 3:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 2:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 1:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 4, 12:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 11:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 10:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 9:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 8:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 7:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 6:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 5:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 4:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 3:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 2:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 1:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 12:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 11:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 10:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 9:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 8:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 7:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 6:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 3, 5:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 4:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 3:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 2:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 1:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 3, 12:45 AM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 11:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 10:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 9:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 8:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 7:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 6:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 5:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 4:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 3:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 2:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 1:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 2, 12:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 11:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 10:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 9:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 8:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 7:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 6:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 5:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 4:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 3:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 2:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 1:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 2, 12:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 11:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 10:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 9:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 8:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 7:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 6:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 5:45 PM MST	56.9	1.45
Nov 1, 4:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 3:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 2:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 1:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 12:45 PM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 11:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 10:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 9:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 8:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 7:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 6:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 5:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 4:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 3:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 2:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 1:45 AM MST	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 1:45 AM MDT	58.2	1.46
Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 11:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 10:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 9:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 8:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 7:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 6:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 5:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 4:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 3:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 2:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 1:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 12:45 PM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 11:45 AM MDT	58.2	1.46
Oct 31, 10:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 9:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 8:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 7:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 6:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 5:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 4:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 3:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 2:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 1:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 31, 12:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 11:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 10:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 9:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 8:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 7:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 6:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 5:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 4:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 3:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 2:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 1:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 12:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 11:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 10:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 9:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 8:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 7:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 6:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 5:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 4:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 3:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 2:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 1:45 AM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 30, 12:45 AM MDT	60.8	1.48
Oct 29, 11:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 10:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 9:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 8:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 7:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 6:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47
Oct 29, 5:45 PM MDT	59.5	1.47

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 48–83 ft³/s (middle half of 60 years of record). Now: 56.9 ft³/s, normal.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 8.9 ft³/s, highest 204 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 1.45 ft stage, 57 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST (NWS gauge WHRM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 5 ft
Minor flood: 5.4 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 8:42 AM MST. Highest point: 1.45 ft, 57 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	1.45 ft	57 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	1.45 ft	57 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	1.45 ft	57 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	1.44 ft	56 ft³/s
Mon, Nov 9	1.44 ft	56 ft³/s
Tue, Nov 10	1.43 ft	54 ft³/s
Wed, Nov 11	1.43 ft	54 ft³/s
Thu, Nov 12	1.43 ft	54 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 13	1.43 ft	54 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 14	1.42 ft	53 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 Whitefish 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