Where to Fish South Fork Flathead River


The South Fork Flathead River originates at the confluence of Danaher and Youngs creeks in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area and flows north, unimpeded for over half its length. Noted for the extreme beauty of its setting and course, the South Fork runs its first 40 miles within the Bob Marshall between the Continental Divide on the east and the Swan Range on the west. From its headwaters to the Spotted Bear River, it is classified a Wild River under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Access to float the South Fork requires quite a commitment - packing in gear by foot or horseback for 20 miles to begin this wilderness float and the same when the ride is finished. The beauty, fishing, and serenity of the float make it worth the effort. Many backpackers and horse parties enjoy portions of the river as well. An abrupt change in the river results from Hungry Horse Dam, 5 miles above the mouth, which creates the 35-mile-long Hungry Horse Reservoir. Completed in 1952, the dam has served two oppositional purposes for the fisheries of the South Fork - blocking upstream fish migrations from Flathead Lake and effectively isolating the drainage from that fishery, while above the dam maintaining the most intact native fish ecosystem remaining in western Montana.

Mile Upper: 98.008
Mile Lower: 0.0
Mouth Latitude/Longitude: 48.38808 -114.08904
Status of the Fishery:
FWP Region: Region 1  
County: Flathead  •  Powell
Fishing District: Western
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Waterbody Section Field Form Type Date Purpose Species
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For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams

Species Count Avg StdDev Min Max AvgWgt StdDevWgt MinWeight S/L Sects Surveys Waterbody
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams

Waterbody Section Species Count AveLength StdDevLength MinLength MaxLength AveWeight StdDevWeight MinWeight MaxWeight
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams

Waterbody Year Section Species Count AveLength StdDevLength MinLength MaxLength AveWeight StdDevWeight MinWeight MaxWeight
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
This is a preview, all fields will be visible by selecting a download option. For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams.

Year Species Abbrv Length Weight M/C Count Sex Mort Hook Scar Disease Scales Otolith Fin Clip Tag Comment Genetics Age Stomach Intercept Slope Gear Equipment Trip Date Pass/Run Water Section Lat/Down Lon/Down Lat/Up Lon/Up Agency Start Depth End Depth
Year River Mile Angler Days Std. Error
2021 0  to  98.01 15412 3212
2020 0  to  98.01 19118 3569
2019 0  to  98.01 16554 3577
2017 0  to  97.85 10373 2784
2015 0  to  97.85 9596 1759
View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.
Station Name RiverMile Website Link
S F Flathead R ab Twin C nr Hungry Horse MT 41 Link
S F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT 3 Link