Clark Fork River, Montana
Missoula Country — The river at the heart of Western Montana's fishing culture
The Clark Fork River flows west from the Continental Divide through Missoula and into Idaho's Pend Oreille Lake — the primary drainage for all of western Montana and the river that defines Missoula's identity as the fly fishing capital of the Northern Rockies. The Clark Fork receives the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and Rock Creek as major tributaries before leaving Montana, making it the physical and cultural center of western Montana fly fishing.
The Clark Fork through Missoula and downstream to Superior provides accessible Blue Ribbon trout fishing within the city limits and throughout the valley corridor. The upper sections near Warm Springs and Deer Lodge have undergone significant restoration following decades of copper mining pollution — the Clark Fork cleanup is one of the largest Superfund restoration projects in American history and has returned good trout populations to sections that were biologically dead within living memory.
Brown and rainbow trout averaging 14–18 inches populate the prime sections through Missoula and downstream, with excellent float fishing opportunities from multiple public access sites. The Milltown Dam removal in 2008 eliminated a major barrier and allowed fish to move freely throughout the upper watershed for the first time in over a century — a landmark conservation achievement that continues to benefit the fishery.
The Clark Fork is Missoula's home water in the most literal sense — the river runs through downtown, past the university, under historic railroad bridges, and alongside the parks where generations of students and locals have learned to fly fish. It is a river of place and community as much as a destination fishery.
Missoula — Downtown and Greenough Park
Multiple access points through Missoula including Caras Park, Bess Reed Park, and Greenough Park. Urban fishing with quality wild trout. Walk to the river from downtown hotels.
Bearmouth — Upstream of Missoula
Access from I-90 at Bearmouth. Good float and wade access to upper Clark Fork sections above the city.
Superior Area — Downstream
Multiple access points downstream of Missoula toward Superior. Less pressure than city sections. Good Caddis and hopper fishing in summer.
Rainbow Trout
Dominant species throughout. Wild fish averaging 13–17 inches. Active during Salmonfly, Caddis, and summer PMD hatches.
Brown Trout
Present throughout with larger average size than rainbows. Best fall streamer and pre-spawn fishing. Most active in lower light conditions.
Westslope Cutthroat
Present in upper sections and tributaries. Native species benefiting from the Milltown Dam removal and ongoing restoration.
The Clark Fork in downtown Missoula is legitimate Blue Ribbon water — don't dismiss it as merely urban fishing.
The Milltown Dam removal (2008) fundamentally changed the upper Clark Fork — sections that were poor fishing 20 years ago now hold good wild trout populations.
Book of the Month Club — the University of Montana's creative writing program has produced generations of fishing writers inspired by this exact river.
Fall is the Clark Fork's finest season — Caddis, hopper, and pre-spawn brown trout fishing all peak in September and October.
No verified guides listed for this river yet. Browse all guides →