Best Montana rivers to fish or float this week
23 of 29 Montana gauges are Fishable/Floatable right now, meaning flow is within the range that gauge normally sees at this time of year. 1 is Too low and 2 are high or blown out.
Updated Oct 24, 2:37 PM PDT · USGS data, provisional
| River | Days in range (last 7) | Flow | Vs. normal | 24 h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot River near Missoula, MT | 7 of 7 | 899 cfs | 50th pct. | ● steady |
| Clark Fork near Plains, MT | 7 of 7 | 10,200 cfs | 50th pct. | ● steady |
| Gallatin River at Logan, MT | 7 of 7 | 756 cfs | 49th pct. | ▲ rising |
| Gallatin River near Gallatin Gateway, MT | 7 of 7 | 419 cfs | 49th pct. | ● steady |
| Bitterroot River near Darby, MT | 7 of 7 | 307 cfs | 57th pct. | ▲ rising |
| Clark Fork below Missoula, MT | 7 of 7 | 2,700 cfs | 58th pct. | ▲ rising |
| Smith River near Eden, MT | 7 of 7 | 149 cfs | 58th pct. | ● steady |
| Missouri River at Fort Benton, MT | 7 of 7 | 4,690 cfs | 39th pct. | ● steady |
| Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs, MT | 7 of 7 | 1,250 cfs | 38th pct. | ● steady |
| Flathead River at Columbia Falls, MT | 7 of 7 | 3,620 cfs | 35th pct. | ● steady |
| Missouri River at Toston, MT | 7 of 7 | 3,720 cfs | 32nd pct. | ▲ rising |
| Stillwater River near Absarokee, MT | 7 of 7 | 435 cfs | 32nd pct. | ● steady |
| Madison River below Ennis Lake, near McAllister, MT | 7 of 7 | 1,410 cfs | 28th pct. | ● steady |
| Kootenai River below Libby Dam, near Libby, MT | 7 of 7 | 4,240 cfs | 27th pct. | ● steady |
| Yellowstone River near Livingston, MT | 7 of 7 | 1,630 cfs | 25th pct. | ● steady |
| Middle Fork Flathead River near West Glacier, MT | 7 of 7 | 510 cfs | 25th pct. | ● steady |
| Madison River near Cameron, MT | 7 of 7 | 994 cfs | 20th pct. | ● steady |
| Yellowstone River at Billings, MT | 7 of 7 | 3,110 cfs | 20th pct. | ● steady |
| Bighorn River below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam, near St. Xavier, MT | 7 of 7 | 1,780 cfs | 17th pct. | ● steady |
| Beaverhead River near Twin Bridges, MT | 3 of 7 | 290 cfs | 35th pct. | ▲ rising |
| Beaverhead River at Dillon, MT | 2 of 7 | 159 cfs | 46th pct. | ● steady |
| Missouri River below Holter Dam, near Wolf Creek, MT | 2 of 7 | 3,150 cfs | 16th pct. | ● steady |
| Madison River near West Yellowstone, MT | 1 of 7 | 356 cfs | 17th pct. | ▲ rising |
Sorted by days in range over the last 7 days, then by closeness to the date's median flow. Flow is only one input: check regulations, closures, weather and local reports. See all states and how to read a status.
Data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Readings are provisional and subject to revision. Flowcast statuses are automated comparisons with each gauge's own history, not safety ratings or fishing reports. Check local conditions, weather, regulations and closures before you go. Rivers can change quickly.