Montana

Beaverhead River at Barretts

Current River Rating

Fair · 55

Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.

Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.

Partial water evidence · Medium confidence

Should I Go?

Wait

Timing Outlook

This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.

Why

  • Current conditions do not support a reliable fishing window.
  • Water temperature is unavailable.

Favorable Factors

  • Recent precipitation has been light.
  • Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.

Timing Evidence

Overcast or filtered daylight is favorable.

Current Readings

Flow
77.8 CFS
Gage Height
0.6 ft
Water Temperature
Not available
Observation Time
Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM

Updated recently · USGS station 06016000 · Direct monitoring location

Readings from past 7 Days

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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.

Better Nearby Options

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Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.

Changing Conditions Advisory

Short-term rainfall and flow-change signals

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Weather Near Gauge

Current Weather

Overcast

Temperature

56°F

Feels like

51°F

Wind

6 mph N

Wind gust

9 mph

Current precipitation

0.00 in

Updated

Sep 4, 2026, 11:15 PM

Recent Rainfall

Estimated precipitation near this gauge

Last 6 hours

0.00 in

Last 24 hours

0.00 in

Last 48 hours

0.00 in

Little recent rainfall near this river.

Next 24 Hours

  • Sat 2 AM

    Partly cloudy

    Temp 52°F

    Chance 3%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 4 mph

  • Sat 6 AM

    Clear

    Temp 47°F

    Chance 4%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 5 mph

  • Sat 10 AM

    Mostly clear

    Temp 56°F

    Chance 2%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 9 mph

  • Sat 2 PM

    Clear

    Temp 69°F

    Chance 2%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 7 mph

  • Sat 6 PM

    Clear

    Temp 76°F

    Chance 9%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 18 mph

  • Sat 10 PM

    Mostly clear

    Temp 62°F

    Chance 2%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 0 mph

Four-Day Forecast

  • Sat, Sep 5

    Overcast

    High 77°F / Low 47°F

    Chance 9%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 29 mph

  • Sun, Sep 6

    Overcast

    High 80°F / Low 48°F

    Chance 17%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 27 mph

  • Mon, Sep 7

    Showers

    High 65°F / Low 51°F

    Chance 78%

    Precip 0.29 in

    Max gust 30 mph

Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.

Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.

Weather data: Open-Meteo

Historical Flow

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Fishing Overview

Bounded Beaverhead River trout tailwater at Barretts below Clark Canyon Dam. USGS 06016000 is the at-location station with live discharge and gage height. Live water temperature is absent; thermal context uses the accepted river-trout air-derived path. Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. Not Beaverhead near Twin Bridges.

Fishery Profile

Documented species you may encounter at Beaverhead River.

High confidenceLast verified: Aug 20, 2026

Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations

Fishery overview

The Beaverhead at Barretts is Montana’s Clark Canyon tailwater trout fishery. StrikeTracks requalifies this existing identity to Monitoring-Backed using live USGS 06016000 discharge and the accepted air-derived trout thermal path after fishery completion. Flow Context remains default-deny. Mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are a native game fish in this drainage per official state fishery management; they are described here because StrikeTracks has no species-selector ID. Confirm current FWP whitefish rules separately (https://fwp.mt.gov/fish). Hatch Match remains unpublished for this identity after Option-B local-expert seasonal research. Single named-river expert quote; Option B requires two independent sources.

Target species

  • Brown Trout

    Salmo trutta

    Expectation
    Primary
    Population
    Wild
    Native status
    introduced
    Confidence
    High confidence

    FWP Statewide Fisheries Management Plan 2023–2026 manages this drainage as a wild trout fishery. Confirm current FWP Exceptions to Standard Regulations. Beaverhead River at Barretts (USGS 06016000). Distinct from Twin Bridges 06018500.

    Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

  • Rainbow Trout

    Oncorhynchus mykiss

    Expectation
    Primary
    Population
    Unknown
    Native status
    introduced
    Confidence
    High confidence

    FWP Statewide Fisheries Management Plan 2023–2026 manages this drainage as a wild trout fishery. Confirm current FWP Exceptions to Standard Regulations. Beaverhead River at Barretts (USGS 06016000). Distinct from Twin Bridges 06018500.

    Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Fishery characteristics

Composition
Wild
Great Lakes tributary
No
Flow regime
Mixed flow regime

Regulated Beaverhead tailwater below Clark Canyon Dam at Barretts, Beaverhead County.

Best seasons

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall

Common techniques

  • Dry flies
  • Fly fishing
  • Nymphing
  • Spinning
  • Streamers

Access and Public Fishing Rights

Public fishing is documented by FWP Fishing Access Sites on the Beaverhead. Catalog coordinates are the USGS point, not a FAS pin.

Stocking information

FWP manages the Beaverhead as a wild trout tailwater. Confirm any current official stocking separately.

Verify current FWP Beaverhead Exceptions and closures. Do not remap to Twin Bridges 06018500.

Hatch Match

Seasonal insect activity for the current evaluation period — not a live hatch observation

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Location and Access

USGS monitoring location

Beaverhead, Montana

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The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.

River Details

County

Beaverhead

Management Category

Wild trout tailwater

Regulation Scope

Beaverhead River at Barretts / Clark Canyon tailwater

Regulation Summary

Beaverhead at Barretts: FWP Central District regulations unless an Exception applies. Confirm current closures.

Target Species

Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

Access, Parking, and Regulations

Verified access notes and official resources for Beaverhead River at Barretts. This is StrikeTracks guidance — always confirm with official sources.

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