Clark Fork

Clark Fork cuts through Montana, United States and offers classic river fishing. The local patterns are the universal river patterns: fish the heads of pools at first light, the deep slow water in the middle of the day, and the tail-outs as light fades. Light tackle and a careful drift go a long way at Clark Fork — heavy splashes spook a whole pool.

Location

46.8790, -114.0263 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Brown troutNorthern pikeRainbow troutLake charYellow perchCutthroat trout

Fishing Techniques

• For Brown trout

  When fishing streams, focus on seams and current breaks, where trout hold to ambush prey.

• For Northern pike

  Vary your retrieval speed and add pauses to entice strikes, especially in colder water.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Clark Fork.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Clark Fork should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for Montana before the trip. A quick weather check the morning of helps too — wind direction in particular can make or break a session at a spot like Clark Fork.

Nearby Spots in Montana

See all fishing spots in Montana →

Other Fishing Regions in United States