Trip brief · Flathead River Middle Fork
How to go fish the Flathead River Middle Fork
The months we list for the Flathead River Middle Fork are July, August, September, October. You are inside that window now, so this brief is written for August.
August
Reading the gauge…
Flies to tie — August
Terrestrials#8-12
Hopper, Foam Beetle
Caddis (Trichoptera)#14-18
Access
Paola River Access
48.344, -113.642parking
Moccasin Creek River Access
48.481, -113.847parking
West Glacier River Access
48.505, -113.993parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
Western Fishing District. Montana fishing license required. Middle Fork Flathead from headwaters to the North Fork confluence near Blankenship Bridge: single-pointed hooks only; catch-and-release for cutthroat trout; rainbow trout 5 daily and in possession; closed to angling June 1 through September 30 within a 150-yard radius of the Bear Creek stream mouth; extended season open December 1 to the third Saturday in May with artificial lures and/or maggots only. Montana/Glacier National Park boundary is the ordinary high-water mark on the park side of the river. Bull trout: Western District standard is closed to angling unless a listed exception applies; release promptly. Verify the current FWP fishing regulations booklet and Glacier National Park fishing rules if you leave the river onto park land.
Pack list
- A current state fishing licence
- Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
- Net, nippers, forceps
- Floatant and desiccant
- Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
- Water, sun cover, polarised glasses
Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.
Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the Flathead River Middle Fork page →