Blackfoot River 
Tributary of Clark Fork River.
(River Mile: 0 to 127)
Launch Interactive Map
The Blackfoot River, one of twelve renowned “Blue Ribbon” rivers in Montana and a major tributary of the Clark Fork of the Columbia River, begins at the junction of Beartrap and Anaconda creeks near the Continental Divide. The river flows west 132 miles to its mouth at Bonner, Montana. From its headwaters to Mineral Hill near the junction of MT 200 and MT 141, the Blackfoot drops through glaciated high-alpine meadows and runs between steep, forested slopes. Above Lincoln, Montana, the river almost annually goes underground. Below Lincoln it reappears and meanders through conifer forests and wetlands to Nevada Creek. About 4 miles downstream the river falls sharply toward the North Fork of the Blackfoot, and cover becomes instream rocks and boulders, bank grasses and brush. For its remaining 52 miles, the Blackfoot levels out, and moves through open ranch and timbered areas. It steepens again from the Roundup Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park, 13 miles from the mouth, passing mostly through a timbered and somewhat narrow canyon with high walls. From the North Fork downstream, the Blackfoot lends itself gradually to floating, swimming, and wading. A free flowing river, the Blackfoot is affected by Milltown Dam, which has blocked fish passage on the Clark Fork River since 1907. The Blackfoot River Trout Restoration Initiative focuses on the recovery of native fish species, and depends on cooperating agencies, watershed groups, and landowners to protect the river's many resources and uses.
Total Length: 127 miles
FWP Region: Region 2
Fishing District: Western Fishing District
Species Present
- Game Fish Opportunities:
-
Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout
- All Species Present:
-
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Bull Trout, Largescale Sucker, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Northern Pike Minnow, Peamouth, Rainbow Trout, Redside Shiner, Sculpin, Slimy Sculpin, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Whitefish
NOTE: There may be game fish present (including
Species of Concern) that are not listed in the game fish category due
to low numbers for that fish. Until you identify your catch, please handle all fish carefully. Thank you.
Fishing Regulations
View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.
Boating Regulations
Standard Boating Regulations for the State of Montana
Exceptions to Standard Boating Regulations for Blackfoot River
| Regulation |
Description & Exceptions |
| No-wake speed |
Downstream from the Stimson Lumber Company chainlink fence, as posted, to and including the Miltown Reservoir then upstream on the Clark Fork River to the old Milwaukee Railroad bridge pilings |
Closed to all motorboats
|
From their headwaters to Stimson Lumber Mill Dam at Bonner. |
Fishing Pressure
Mouth to Clearwater River (River Mile: 0 to 34)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2007 |
13,580 |
218 |
40 |
6 |
| 2005 |
18,268 |
330 |
40 |
6 |
| 2003 |
18,456 |
398 |
37 |
7 |
| 2001 |
13,330 |
273 |
46 |
7 |
| 1999 |
22,765 |
501 |
32 |
7 |
Clearwater River to North Fork (River Mile: 34 to 53)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2007 |
12,685 |
181 |
43 |
8 |
| 2005 |
8,549 |
163 |
75 |
13 |
| 2003 |
11,355 |
225 |
54 |
9 |
| 2001 |
12,940 |
245 |
48 |
8 |
| 1999 |
16,081 |
377 |
49 |
9 |
North Fork to Arrastra Creek (River Mile: 53 to 86)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2007 |
4,286 |
64 |
107 |
18 |
| 2005 |
2,900 |
50 |
151 |
25 |
| 2003 |
5,072 |
99 |
106 |
17 |
| 2001 |
5,050 |
93 |
108 |
15 |
Arrastra Creek to Headwaters (River Mile: 86 to 127)
| Year |
Days Fished¹ |
Trips² |
State Rank³ |
Regional Rank³ |
| 2007 |
3,182 |
49 |
129 |
22 |
| 2005 |
7,220 |
115 |
83 |
14 |
| 2003 |
4,142 |
80 |
119 |
19 |
| 2001 |
4,939 |
96 |
111 |
16 |
| 1999 |
7,539 |
188 |
85 |
11 |
| ¹ Estimated yearly fishing use in angler days (one angler fishing one body of water in one day for any amount of time). |
| ² The number of times that a section of water was reported as having been fished (used to estimate the number of "Days Fished"). |
| ³ How this section of water ranked among all surveyed sections in the state or region, based on "Days Fished" in a survey year. |
| |
Gauging Stations
- Blackfoot R ab Nevada Cr nr Helmville MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 70
- Blackfoot River near Bonner MT
- View Data
| River Mile: 7
