Montana
Rock Creek near Clinton
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 PM–9:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 308 CFS
- Gage Height
- 5.35 ft
- Water Temperature
- 56.1 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 6:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 12334510 · 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
53°F
Feels like
51°F
Wind
3 mph NE
Wind gust
8 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.02 in
Last 48 hours
0.02 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 2 AM
Overcast
Temp 53°F
Chance 38%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 6 AM
Drizzle
Temp 52°F
Chance 50%
Precip 0.01 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 10 AM
Overcast
Temp 58°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 2 PM
Overcast
Temp 70°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 6 PM
Drizzle
Temp 70°F
Chance 17%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 10 PM
Overcast
Temp 59°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Drizzle
High 73°F / Low 52°F
Chance 55%
Precip 0.08 in
Max gust 22 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Showers
High 77°F / Low 55°F
Chance 79%
Precip 0.61 in
Max gust 18 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Showers
High 57°F / Low 47°F
Chance 95%
Precip 0.89 in
Max gust 21 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 71°F / Low 47°F
Chance 59%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 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 Rock Creek trout destination near Clinton. USGS 12334510 is the at-location monitoring identity with live discharge and water temperature. Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. Not the Middle Fork above Philipsburg.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Rock Creek.
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
Rock Creek near Clinton is a Western District wild trout tributary to the Clark Fork. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 12334510 (live discharge and water temperature). 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. Only one independent named-river seasonal source.
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. Rock Creek near Clinton (USGS 12334510). Distinct from Middle Fork Rock Creek near Philipsburg.
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. Rock Creek near Clinton (USGS 12334510). Distinct from Middle Fork Rock Creek near Philipsburg.
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Freestone canyon and valley trout creek entering the Clark Fork near Clinton, with FWP-documented public access.
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 and BLM/USFS postings along Rock Creek Road. Catalog coordinates are the USGS point, not a FAS pin.
Stocking information
FWP manages Rock Creek as a wild trout fishery. Confirm any current official stocking separately.
Official sources
Western District seasons apply unless an Exception is listed for Rock Creek. Verify current FWP Exceptions, drought closures, and bull trout incidental-catch rules. Do not remap to Middle Fork Rock Creek 12332000.
Hatch Match
Loading hatch suggestions…
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
Rock Creek near Clinton
Regulation Summary
Rock Creek near Clinton: FWP Western District regulations unless an Exception applies. Confirm current closures.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…
