Fishing Conditions Rating: 6/10
Current Stream Flows: Above Missoula: 888 CFS Above Missoula, 1360 CFS Below Missoula
Restrictions from Mt FWP:
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Clark Fork River from the confluence with the Flathead River to the confluence with Rock Creek (near Clinton, MT) beginning July 12
UPPER: Wed 7/10/24, USGS Gauge 1234550 – Clark Fork R. at Turah Bridge
LOWER: Wed 7/10/24, USGS Gauge 12354500 – Clark Fork R. at St Regis
River discharge is dropping steadily and current maximum daily water temperatures are above thresholds and increasing steadily at Superior, MT (mid reach) and above Missoula (upper reach). Maximum daily water temperatures at USGS Gauge 12353650 (Clark Fork River at Superior) and USGS Gauge 12340500 (Clark Fork River Above Missoula) have exceeded 73F for 2 consecutive days on July 9 and 10 and expected remain higher than 73 F on 7/11, as well as for the foreseeable future with continuing warm temperatures and decreasing flow. Past evaluations have determined that these gauges are representative of temperatures throughout this river reach.
Current weather forecast includes continued warm weather pattern (daily highs generally > 90 F), dropping river discharge levels, and no significant precipitation.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Clark Fork River from the mouth of Warm Springs Creek to the mouth of Rock Creek (near Clinton, MT) beginning July 10
Temperatures throughout the reach have exceeded 73F each of the past two days (starting 7/7/2024) and are expected to exceed 73F for a third day today (7/9/2024), with generally warmer temperatures further downstream in the reach. Water temperature measured at USGS Clark Fork at Deer Lodge 12324200 peaked over 73F each day, and FWP temperature sensor data from Bearmouth has shown water temperatures peaking over 73F each of the past three days.
Temperatures have exceeded the 73F Hoot-Owl criteria for the past two days and are expected to for a third day today at multiple USGS and FWP monitoring sites and are generally trending higher. Longer term forecasts are calling for local temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s for the foreseeable future, this is likely to keep temperatures warm and stressful for fish. Additionally, flows in this reach continue to drop, and are currently well lower than median values. Angling pressure on the Clark Fork is generally low, however anglers were observed at multiple access points near Deer Lodge over the past several days in the late afternoon. Considering historically low fish numbers on parts of the Upper Clark Fork any angling pressure in the late afternoon at current temperatures could be detrimental to the fishery.
Fishing Closure is in effect for the Clark Fork River within a 100-yard radius of the mouth of Fish Creek at the Clark Fork River confluence beginning July 24.
This water has been warmer than the bull trout temperature threshold (60 F) since July 6th and will likely exceed the cutthroat temperature threshold (66 F) as stream temperatures continue to rise this week.
Weather and river forecast data suggest continued hot conditions with low water levels and elevated water temperatures in the thermal refugia area at the stream-river confluence. Bull trout numbers are low in Fish Creek and cutthroat trout densities are suppressed, so additional mortality can have effects on population status. Bull trout are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act and westslope cutthroat trout are a Species of Concern in Montana.
Fishing Closure is in effect for the Clark Fork River within a 100-yard radius of the mouth of St Regis River at the Clark Fork River confluence beginning July 24.
USGS Gauge 12354500 data, 07/22/2024.
This water has been consistently warmer than the bull trout temperature threshold (60 F) since July 6th and cutthroat temperature threshold (66 F) since July 18th.
Weather and river forecast data suggest continued hot conditions with low water levels and elevated water temperatures in the thermal refugia area at the stream-river confluence. Bull trout numbers are low in the St Regis River and cutthroat trout densities are suppressed, so additional mortality can have effects on population status. Bull trout are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act and westslope cutthroat trout are a Species of Concern in Montana.
Fishing Closure is in effect for the Clark Fork River within a 100-yard radius of the mouth of Rattlesnake Creek at the Clark Fork River confluence beginning July 24.
DNRC Gauge 76M 01100 data, 07/22/2024.
This water has been consistently warmer than the bull trout temperature threshold (60 F) since July 4th and the cutthroat temperature threshold (66 F) consistently since July 21st.
Weather and river forecast data suggest continued hot conditions with low water levels and elevated water temperatures in the thermal refugia area at the stream-river confluence. Bull trout numbers are low in Rattlesnake Creek and cutthroat trout densities are suppressed, so additional mortality can have effects on population status. Bull trout are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act and westslope cutthroat trout are a Species of Concern in Montana.
