Trip brief · Flathead River North Fork
How to go fish the Flathead River North Fork
The months we list for the Flathead River North 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
Ford River Access
48.875, -114.374parking
Polebridge River Access
48.783, -114.283parking
Big Creek Campground
48.600, -114.162parking
Glacier Rim River Access
48.492, -114.126parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
Western Fishing District. Montana fishing license required. North Fork Flathead from headwaters to the Middle 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 Big Creek stream mouth unless posted at a greater distance; 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 middle of the river. Bull trout: Western District standard is closed to angling unless a listed exception applies; release promptly. Standard Western District rivers and streams season is the third Saturday in May through November 30 except as listed. Verify the current FWP fishing regulations booklet.
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 North Fork page →