Fishing Montana's Blackfoot River

Montana's Blackfoot River

Some information provide by Montana Fish & Wildlife

The Blackfoot River, one of twelve renowned “Blue Ribbon” rivers in Montana and a major tributary of the Clark Fork of the Columbia River, begins at the junction of Beartrap and Anaconda creeks near the Continental Divide.

The river flows west 132 miles to its mouth at Bonner, Montana. From its headwaters to Mineral Hill near the junction of MT 200 and MT 141, the Blackfoot drops through glaciated high-alpine meadows and runs between steep, forested slopes. Above Lincoln, Montana, the river almost annually goes underground. Below Lincoln it reappears and meanders through conifer forests and wetlands to Nevada Creek. About 4 miles downstream the river falls sharply toward the North Fork of the Blackfoot, and cover becomes in-stream rocks and boulders, bank grasses and brush. For its remaining 52 miles, the Blackfoot levels out, and moves through open ranch and timbered areas. It steepens again from the Roundup Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park, 13 miles from the mouth, passing mostly through a timbered and somewhat narrow canyon with high walls. From the North Fork downstream, the Blackfoot lends itself gradually to floating, swimming, and wading. A free flowing river, the Blackfoot is affected by Milltown Dam, which has blocked fish passage on the Clark Fork River since 1907.

The Blackfoot River Trout Restoration Initiative focuses on the recovery of native fish species, and depends on cooperating agencies, watershed groups, and landowners to protect the river's many resources and uses.

Fishing the Blackfoot: The Blackfoot is an excellent fishery for rainbow, cutbows, browns and mountain whitefish throughout its length. Good fishing on the Blackfoot fishing starts around the River Junction Campground, at its confluence with the North Fork, just south of Ovando.

The Blackfoot hatches consist of Skwala Stoneflies, Salmonflies, Golden Stones, Baetis, March Browns, Caddis, Green Drakes, Midges, Pale Morning Duns and Hoppers.

Total Length: 132 miles

Fishing Access Sites

Aunt Molly River Mile: 70: Directions: East of Ovando to Hwy 141, turn south for 1 3/4 miles, then east for 3 miles to bridge.; Other Info: Carry in launch. Open all season. 1184 acre(s).
Cedar Meadow River Mile: 64: Directions: From Helmville take SR 272 northwest for 4 miles.; Other Info: Canoes/rafts can be hand launched from site. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and its tribs. Open all season. 3 acre(s).
River Junction River Mile: 53: Directions: 39 miles east of Bonner on Hwy 200 to Milepost 39, then 9 miles southeast on Co. Road.
Stay limit is 7 days. Fee required. Contact the regional office for fee info.; Other Info: 6 campsites available at this site. Canoes/rafts can be hand launched from site. Road to site is very rough. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and tribs Open all season. 179 acre(s).
Russell Gates Memorial River Mile: 40: Directions: 35 miles east of Bonner on Hwy 200 to Milepost 35.
Stay limit is 7 days. Fee required. Contact the regional office for fee info.; Other Info: Canoes/rafts can be hand launched from site 12 campsites. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and tribs Open all season. 41 acre(s).
Sunset Hill River Mile: 31: Directions: Opposite the Clearwater crossing FAS take Sunset Hill Road south.; Other Info: 2 sites - one is at junction of Clearwater/Blackfoot Rivers, 21/2 miles south of Hwy 200. The other one is 41/2 miles south of Hwy 200. Both provide walk-in access only. Open all season.
Roundup River Mile: 29: Directions: 26 miles east of Bonner on Hwy 200 to milepost 26, then west on Ninemile Prairie Road.; Other Info: "Raft slide" launch structure. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and tribs Open all season.
Ninemile Prairie River Mile: 25: Directions: 26 miles east of Bonner on Hwy 200 to Milepost 26, then 4 miles west.
Stay limit is 7 days. Fee required. Contact the regional office for fee info.; Other Info: Launching boats at this site is not advised. Only 2 developed campsites at this location. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and its tribs Open all season. 14 acre(s).
Corrick's Riverbend River Mile: 23: Directions: 26 miles east of Bonner an Hwy 200 to mile post 26, then 71/2 miles west on Ninemile Prairie Road.
Stay limit is 7 days. Fee required. Contact the regional office for fee info.; Other Info: Non-motorized watercraft only for the Blackfoot River. Open all season. 32 acre(s).
Belmont Creek River Mile: 21: Directions: Located 10 miles east of Johnsrud FAS and 9 miles west of Roundup FAS on Ninemile Prairie Road.; Other Info: Walk-in access only (approx. 500 yds) boat launching is not advised. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and its tribs. Open all season.
Red Rocks River Mile: 20: Directions: Approx. 71/2 miles east of the Johnsrud FAS along the Corridor Road.; Other Info: 1/2 mi walk from parking area to site Open all season.
Whitaker Bridge River Mile: 19: Directions: Approx. 7 miles east of Johnsrud FAS on the Corridon Road.; Other Info: Hand launching of boats is best done 300 yds downstream at an unnamed day use site. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and its tribs Open all season.
Thibodeau River Mile: 18: Directions: 6 miles east of Johnsrud FAS on the Corridor Road.
Stay limit is 7 days. Fee required. Contact the regional office for fee info.; Other Info: 6 camping sites. Road is rocky and rough. Boat launching is not advised. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and its tribs Open all season.
Sheep Flats River Mile: 17: Directions: 4 1/2 miles east of the Johnsrud FAS on the Corridon Road.; Other Info: Numerous roads skirt this area, and provide several access points to the river down a steep bank. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and its tribs Open all season.
Daigles Eddy River Mile: 16: Directions: 3 miles northeast of the Johnsrud FAS on the Corridor Road.; Other Info: Open all season.
Johnsrud Park River Mile: 13: Directions: 11 miles east of Bonner on Hwy 200, then west on gravel road.
Stay limit is 7 days. Fee required. Contact the regional office for fee info.; Other Info: Day use shelter, horseshoe pits, volleyball court, and baseball diamond at this site. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot Rand its tribs Open all season. 18 acre(s).
K. Ross Toole River Mile: 9: Directions: Information being updated; Other Info: Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
Marco Flats River Mile: 3: Directions: 21/2 miles northeast of Bonner on Hwy 200.; Other Info: Canoes/rafts can be hand launched from site. Non-motorized watercraft only for Blackfoot R and its tribs Open all season. 2 acre(s).

NOTE: All river Fishing Access Sites (FAS) are listed in descending order by river mile from headwaters to mouth. The mouth of a stream is its confluence with another body of water and is considered mile 0.