Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Variable
- Distance
- Variable by put-in
- Elevation gain
- None
- Season
- Spring–fall
- Managed by
- Mixed jurisdictions
- Permit
- Required · Permits guide
- Access road
- Paved and gravel; several FWP access sites
Permit notes: Montana fishing license required on state-administered reaches. CSKT Conservation License required on tribally-administered reaches; rules differ. Check current requirements with both agencies.
The Flathead River exits Flathead Lake at Polson and runs south toward the Clark Fork. The first reach below Polson is publicly accessible at several Montana FWP fishing access sites, and is fished for trout and warmwater species depending on the season and water level.
An important note on permits and jurisdiction: the lower Flathead River below the dam runs partly through CSKT lands, and the tribal reaches require a separate CSKT Conservation License in addition to (or in place of) a Montana fishing license. Rules and required permits vary by exact location and have changed over the years. Always check current rules with both Montana FWP and the CSKT Natural Resources Department before fishing.
The river is also paddleable in summer and shoulder seasons. Use the official FWP river maps for access points and put-in locations. Cell service is patchy below the dam.
Features
Current conditions, hours, and permit rules change. Always check the authoritative source before going. See the full permits and licenses guide →