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Montana Fishing Guide

Flathead River Blue Ribbon Stream

Tributary of Clark Fork River.
(River Mile: 0 to 158)
Launch Interactive Map
The Flathead River represents the combined flow of hundreds of headwater creeks funneled from the glacial cirques of Glacier National Park and other wild places within the U.S. and Canada. This cold, clear water flows into the North, South and Middle forks of the Flathead, which merge together near Columbia Falls to begin a southward journey. Portions of the upper mainstem Flathead River are classified as “Recreational” within the Wild and Scenic River Classification system. About 20 miles into its journey, after flowing down the gentle, south-sloping gradient of the Flathead Basin floor, the river empties into Flathead Lake. The lower mainstem Flathead River drains from the southwest corner of the lake and draws waters from an arid valley basin throughout its 75-mile course. The Flathead River finally empties into the Clark Fork River at Paradise. The Flathead River System offers hundreds of miles of pristine waterways, while Flathead Lake is a scenic and recreational mecca. A diversity of fish and wildlife complement the land and water resources, and contribute to both the natural and cultural values of the Flathead Basin environment.

Total Length:  158 miles
FWP Region:  Region 1
Fishing District:  Western Fishing District



Species Present
Game Fish Opportunities:
Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout
All Species Present:
Black Bullhead, Brown Trout, Bull Trout, Lake Whitefish, Largemouth Bass, Largescale Sucker, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Northern Pike Minnow, Peamouth, Pumpkinseed, Pygmy Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Redside Shiner, Slimy Sculpin, Smallmouth Bass, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, White Sucker, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout
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 or special regulations. Until you identify your catch, please handle all fish carefully. Thank you.

Fishing Regulations
Standard Fishing Regulations for the Western Fishing District
The standard fishing regulations for the fishing district(s) apply. Please check your copy of the regulations, or visit the site(s) linked above for more information.
Exceptions to Standard Regulations
Confluence Of The North And Middle Forks Downstream To Flathead Lake
Combined Trout: 5 daily and in possession.
Lake trout: 15 daily and in possession.
Extended season for whitefish and lake trout, and catch-and-release for other game fish except northern pike, from December 1 through the third Saturday in May with artificial lures and/or maggots only. Extended season for northern pike from December 1 through February 28, artificial lures only.
Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout.
Whitefish: 100 daily and in possession.
Flathead Indian Reservation Boundary To Mouth
Open entire year.
Northern pike: 5 daily and in possession, must be over 24 inches.
Boating Regulations

Standard Boating Regulations for the State of Montana

Fishing Access Sites
Teakettle  River Mile: 144
  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  3 acre(s).
Kokanee Bend  River Mile: 141
  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  186 acre(s).
Pressentine  River Mile: 136
Undeveloped site. Gravel ramp.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  11 acre(s).
Shady Lane  River Mile: 129
  Open all season.  5 acre(s).
Old Steel Bridge  River Mile: 129
This site contains an accessible fishing platform and the Shady Lane Kids Fishing Pond.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  143 acre(s).
Sportsmans Bridge  River Mile: 108
Access to Flathead River and Flathead Lake.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  6 acre(s).
NOTE: All river Fishing Access Sites (FAS) are listed in descending order by river mile from headwaters to mouth. The mouth of a stream is its confluence with another body of water and is considered mile 0. Click here to learn more.


Fishing Pressure
Mouth to Flathead Lake   (River Mile: 0 to 77)
Year Days Fished¹ Trips² State Rank³ Regional Rank³
2005 6,753 114 91 18
2003 4,199 94 115 24
2001 6,831 103 84 17
1999 3,180 82 153 32

Flathead Lake to S Fk Flathead R   (River Mile: 105 to 158)
Year Days Fished¹ Trips² State Rank³ Regional Rank³
2005 33,943 517 19 2
2003 33,134 643 17 3
2001 23,804 444 29 5
1999 31,223 706 23 4

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
Flathead River at Columbia Falls MT
View Data | River Mile: 143
FLATHEAD LAKE AT POLSON, MT.
View Data | River Mile: 77
Flathead River near Polson MT
View Data | River Mile: 72
Flathead River at Perma MT
View Data | River Mile: 11

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Friday, May 16, 2008 - 9:55:20 AM