Blackfoot River

Boat Ramps: 12
Access Points: 34
Species: 7

The Blackfoot River is one of Montana's most renowned fishing destinations, flowing for 132 miles from its headwaters near the Continental Divide to its confluence with the Clark Fork River near Bonner. Made famous by Norman Maclean's novel A River Runs Through It, this picturesque freestone river offers exceptional fly fishing opportunities amidst stunning scenery. The river varies dramatically throughout its course, from slow-moving sections through dense forests in the upper reaches to boulder-strewn whitewater sections in the lower portions. With excellent access points, diverse fish populations, and relatively manageable fishing pressure compared to other Montana rivers, the Blackfoot provides anglers with a classic Montana fishing experience.

Montana licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Blackfoot River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Bull Trout

Salvelinus confluentus

Mountain Whitefish

Prosopium williamsoni

Northern Pikeminnow

Ptychocheilus oregonensis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Blackfoot River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Blackfoot River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Montana licenses and regulations

Montana Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Montana Fishing License

All anglers 12 and over must possess a license.

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Montana Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Montana Stream Access Laws

Under the Montana Stream Access Law, the public may use rivers and streams for recreational purposes up to the ordinary high water marks. Although the law gives recreationists the right to use rivers and streams for water-related recreation, it does not give them the right to enter private lands bordering those streams or to cross private lands to gain access to streams without landowner permission. Montana's stream access law ensures public access to surface waters by public bridge or county road right-of-way. The width of a public bridge or public road right-of-way easement is the same as the public highway to which it is attached.

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Take Blackfoot River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Blackfoot River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Blackfoot River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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