McDonald Creek

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 1
Species: 6

McDonald Creek is a pristine waterway flowing through Glacier National Park in Montana. The creek is divided into two distinct sections - Upper and Lower McDonald Creek. The Upper McDonald Creek feeds into Lake McDonald, while the Lower McDonald Creek flows for approximately 2.5 miles from the outlet of Lake McDonald at Apgar before emptying into the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. The stream is characterized by deep, clear waters with numerous bends, holes, and undercut banks. McDonald Creek offers anglers a scenic fishing experience with snow-capped mountains and alpine forests as a backdrop, though fish populations are not as abundant as in some other Montana streams. The creek's natural setting and relatively accessible shorelines make it a popular fishing destination for visitors to Glacier National Park, providing a peaceful retreat from the more crowded areas of the park.

Montana licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at McDonald Creek and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Bull Trout

Salvelinus confluentus

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Mountain Whitefish

Prosopium williamsoni

Pygmy Whitefish

Prosopium coulterii

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on McDonald Creek. 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.

Apgar Village Fishing Access Site

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on McDonald Creek

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 McDonald Creek 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 McDonald Creek to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for McDonald Creek to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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