Flathead River Montana – The drainage is one of America’s coolest river systems. It flows out of deep wilderness and feeds the largest lake west of the Mississippi. The river is divided into several distinct sections.

The North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork all come together to form the Main Stem near Columbia Falls. That flows into Flathead Lake. The outflow is completely different as it runs through the lower valley and into the Clark Fork River.

Flows And Weather

• NF
• MF
• SF ab Twin crk
• SF Nr C Falls
• At C Falls
• Nr Big Fork
• Weather

N F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT

• Temperature: 39.02 ° F
• Streamflow: 2700 ft³/s
• Gage height: 3.47 ft

USGS

M F Flathead River near West Glacier MT

• Temperature: 39.02 ° F
• Streamflow: 9960 ft³/s
• Gage height: 5.64 ft

USGS

S F Flathead R ab Twin C nr Hungry Horse MT

• Temperature: 39.02 ° F
• Streamflow: 9960 ft³/s
• Gage height: 5.64 ft

USGS

S F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT

• Temperature: 37.22 ° F
• Streamflow: 5900 ft³/s
• Gage height: 8.06 ft

USGS

Flathead River at Columbia Falls MT

• Temperature: 38.48 ° F
• Streamflow: 3480 ft³/s
• Gage height: 3.72 ft

USGS

Flathead River near Bigfork MT

• Temperature: 38.48 ° F
• Streamflow: 4310 ft³/s
• Gage height: 3.72 ft

USGS

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Rapids and Float Notes

The North Fork of the Flathead is Class I-II but it has some serious danger for inexperienced floaters. Log jams and strainers are a major hazard so be extra careful here. It forms the western border for Glacier National Park and is incredibly beautiful.

The Middle Fork of the Flathead River is more whitewater intensive. It runs out of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, offering options for both wilderness trips and road access trips. The wilderness trips are done by packing horses into the wilderness or by flying into the runway at Schafer Meadows and floating out from that point. From Bear Creek to the confluence you can access the river from the highway at multiple locations.

The South Fork of the Flathead River is a different beast. 65 miles from the origin to Hungry Reservoir and almost all of it flows through remote wilderness. To access the road section above the reservoir, you still have several hours of dirt road just to get there. A short section below the Hungry Horse Dam makes up the final stretch before the confluence. It is truly wild and the Hungry Horse Reservoir dam has isolated the river, preserving westslope cutthroat genetics and bull trout populations.

The main stem flows through Columbia Falls and into Flathead Lake. It’s much broader and slower here. Below Kerr Dam and the lake it runs through a short and furious 6 miles of rapids that are best suited to rafts, kayaks and experienced paddlers. Class III-IV rapids are big and technical. After the Buffalo bridge, the river is wide, slow and full of smallmouth bass and pike. Everything below Kerr Dam runs through the Flathead Reservation and requires a license purchased directly from the reservation.

North Fork Flathead River Boat Ramps

Canada Border – A fair number of folks put-in here and run the entire 60 miles down to Blankenship Bridge at the confluence with the main-stem. It’s an ideal 2-4 day float trip without any designated camping sites.

Ford – 14 miles down makes this a good day trip option.

Polebridge – 11 miles down, this is a great option for a long day trip from the border or a shorter one from Ford. You can rent a cabin in Polebridge, grab some food at the mercantile and have a nice float without needing to camp in grizzly bear country.

Coal Creek – 9 miles below Polebridge. Another convenient day trip float.

Big Creek – Another 9 miler to here.

Blankenship Bridge – 15 miles down from Big Creek. There are a few midway point options here as well but Blankship is the most convenient takeout.

Middle Fork Flathead River Boat Ramps

Schafer Meadows – Pack or fly into this area float the wilderness stretch of the river out. It’s 27 miles and can be done in a day but multiple days are ideal for really taking your time and enjoying the river. Class III-IV rapids require experienced boaters through here as well. It’s a June-July game in most years. Big runoff can make the river too dangerous.

Bear Creek – The first road access where you can launch a boat. Hiking up or down river for wade fishing is also a good bet here. The highway veers away from the river at this point if you’re headed up Marias Pass towards East Glacier.

Essex Bridge – 5 miles down, the bridge is a nicer launch site than bear creek and is more passable in low flows. The turn comes quick and is easy to miss. Drive safe and turn around if needed.

Paola Creek – 8 miles makes this a good half day float in higher water from Essex. You could make a full day of it in lower water.

Cascadilla Creek – 11 miles down. It’s good for a long full day from Essex or an easily managed day from Paola.

Moccasin Creek – Another 8 mile run that is great for half or full day runs.

West Glacier – 6 miles down and convenient to the town of West Glacier and the entrance to Glacier National Park.

Blankenship Bridge – Common takeout point at the confluence that forms the main-stem of the Flathead river.

South Fork Flathead River Access

Wilderness access – You will need to hike or horse pack a good 25+ miles regardless of trailhead choice here. You can go in from Holland Lake or reach Young’s Creek from Ovando area trailheads.

Mid Creek Takout – This is where you will takeout from the Wilderness float. The gorge below this is insane. You need to hike out or have your gear packed out from here as well.

South Fork Road Access – The road between Hungry Horse Reservoir and the Spotted Bear Ranch has several obvious road sites where you can do a primitive launch.

Gauging Station – Access below the dam and float into the main-stem. Around 5 miles total.

Mainstem Flathead River Boat Ramps

Blankenship Bridge – The first launch site on the main stem. Also a popular takeout from the North and Middle forks.

Teakettle – 14 miles below Blankenship. FAS site.

Kokanee Bend – 3 miles down. Nice for a quick float from Teakettle. Or extend it to the next one.

Pressentine – 4 miles down.

Old Steel Bridge – 8 miles downriver.

Sportsman’s Bridge – Obvious access site. Motor boats use this often. Right above Flathead Lake.

Polson Park – The lake enters the river channel. It is slow moving and eventually you hit signs to stop before the dam area. Motorboats use this zone. Popular with water skiers in the summer.

Kerr Dam – Starts the whitewater section. Make sure you have a tribal pass.

Buffalo Bridge – 6 miles down, the river slows into a nice valley. Start smallmouth bass fishing here. Note that some motor boats do use the lower river as well.

Sloan Bridge – 20 miles to this one.

Dixon – Another 20 to the small town of Dixon.

Perma – 14 miles from Dixon. Nice mellow float through here. Last stop before the Clark Fork Confluence.

Shuttle Services and Packers

Packers – There are several operations here. I like Lazy J Bar O for the packing into the wilderness area.

Glacier Raft Company – They run the North, Middle and some main-stem. 406-888-5454

Flathead River Shuttle – 406-890-2600

Shore Thing Shuttles – Mainstem above Flathead Lake. 406-407-1602

Buffalo Bridge to Perma – 406-531-0003

Flathead River Fishing Guides

The logistics of fishing the Flathead river from a boat are not easy. Utilizing the services of an outfitter is a great move. There are a ton of rookie guides in this area however. Not a bad thing as they typically focus on whitewater and pick up fishing trips on the side. There is one dedicated outfitter in the region that is focused specifically on fishing and they run the best guides in the region. You can contact Wild Montana Anglers here to book a trip. They also partner with Lary’s Fly Shop in Columbia Falls and you can drop-in the shop for current reports and trips. Mark Fuller and Hilary Hutcheson are the premier guides for Flathead River fly fishing trips.

Call them directly at 406-261-4343 or call the fly shop at 406-897-3740.

River Specific Fishing Regulations

Exceptions to Standard Regulations: Flathead River

North Fork Flathead River

Middle Fork Flathead River Drainage

South Fork Flathead River Drainage

Flathead River Montana Photos