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
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
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
Loading historical flow…
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.
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.
Official sources
Verify current FWP Beaverhead Exceptions and closures. Do not remap to Twin Bridges 06018500.
Hatch Match
Loading hatch suggestions…
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Beaverhead, Montana
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
Loading access and regulations…
