Montana
Clark Fork above Missoula
Current River Rating
Fair · 67
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?
Consider
Recommended Window
Saturday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Dawn low light is favorable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1280 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.52 ft
- Water Temperature
- 59.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 12340500 · 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
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
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
53°F
Feels like
49°F
Wind
6 mph S
Wind gust
5 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.02 in
Last 24 hours
0.10 in
Last 48 hours
0.13 in
Some recent rainfall may begin influencing river conditions.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 2 AM
Overcast
Temp 53°F
Chance 15%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 6 AM
Overcast
Temp 52°F
Chance 31%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 10 AM
Overcast
Temp 60°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 2 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 6 PM
Drizzle
Temp 70°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.03 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 10 PM
Overcast
Temp 62°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Drizzle
High 76°F / Low 52°F
Chance 36%
Precip 0.04 in
Max gust 17 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Showers
High 78°F / Low 58°F
Chance 83%
Precip 0.28 in
Max gust 22 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Showers
High 58°F / Low 47°F
Chance 95%
Precip 1.25 in
Max gust 15 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Drizzle
High 72°F / Low 46°F
Chance 70%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 9 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 Clark Fork trout destination above Missoula. USGS 12340500 is the at-location monitoring identity with live discharge and water temperature. Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. Not the Turah / upper Clark Fork Superfund reach and not the below-Missoula Bitterroot confluence reach.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Clark Fork.
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
Clark Fork above Missoula is the Missoula-area Clark Fork trout identity. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 12340500 (live discharge and water temperature). Distinct from Turah Bridge and below Missoula. 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 publishes seasonal hatch guidance based on published local fishing sources. Actual insect activity varies with weather, water temperature, elevation, and local conditions. This is not a live hatch observation.
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. Clark Fork above Missoula (USGS 12340500). Distinct from Turah Bridge and Clark Fork below Missoula.
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. Clark Fork above Missoula (USGS 12340500). Distinct from Turah Bridge and Clark Fork below Missoula.
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Large Western District Clark Fork trout river at Missoula, downstream of the Blackfoot confluence and upstream of the Bitterroot confluence.
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 around Missoula. Catalog coordinates are the USGS point, not a FAS pin.
Stocking information
FWP manages the Clark Fork as a mixed wild trout fishery with native-fish conservation. Confirm any current official stocking separately.
Official sources
Western District seasons and Clark Fork Exceptions apply. FWP also publishes boating regulations for sections of the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, and Clark Fork. Do not remap to Turah 12334550 or below-Missoula 12353000.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Missoula, 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
Missoula
Management Category
Wild trout river
Regulation Scope
Clark Fork above Missoula
Regulation Summary
Clark Fork above Missoula: FWP Western District regulations unless an Exception applies. Confirm current closures and boating rules.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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