Fishing
Report.
Live conditions on Flathead Lake and the Flathead River, pulled from USGS gauges and weather stations. The verdict — PRIME, GOOD, FAIR, or POOR — is computed from flow, water temperature, wind, and barometric pressure.
Quick Answer
Flathead Lake’s surface water temperature ranges from about 38°F in winter to 72°F in late summer, with the prime trout-fishing window (50–62°F) typically running mid-May through late June and again from late September through October. As of the latest USGS reading, the Flathead River at Columbia Falls is 48°F. Flathead Lake elevation at Polson is 2892.60 ft (full pool 2,893 ft). Live readings update on this page every 15 minutes from USGS gauges at Columbia Falls (river) and Polson (lake).
Columbia Falls to Flathead Lake
Flathead River
USGS reading 1 hr ago
7-Day Forecast
Today
70°
52°
Sun
56°
51°
Mon
53°
46°
Tue
56°
46°
Wed
68°
43°
Thu
66°
49°
Fri
81°
49°
Today's read · FAIR
Mixed bag today. Some inputs are working, others aren't — read the stats below and adjust tactics to what the water's giving you. Plan around the trouble spots and you'll still find fish.
Flow
46,200 ↑
175% of normal
Water Temp
48°F ↓
cool
Gauge Height
13.76 ft ↑
Air · Wind
65°F
5 mph WSW
Bigfork to Polson
Flathead Lake
USGS reading 20 min ago
7-Day Forecast
Today
61°
53°
Sun
56°
49°
Mon
54°
46°
Tue
55°
46°
Wed
71°
45°
Thu
69°
53°
Fri
81°
51°
Today's read · PRIME
Conditions are stacked in your favor right now. Flow, water temperature, and weather are aligned — fish should be active, willing, and looking up. Days like this don't last long; if you can get on the water, get on the water.
Wind
5 mph
S
Air Temp
60°F
Lake Level
2892.60 ft →
elevation
Pressure
—
Flow as % of median
How today's discharge compares to the long-term average for this date. 90–125% is the wadeable green zone. Above 150% usually means runoff or storm influence; below 75% means low and clear.
Water temperature
Trout activity peaks between 50 and 62°F. Below 45°F they get lethargic; above 68°F they're heat-stressed and we transition to other species or cooler hours.
Wind on Flathead Lake
Flathead is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi — wind builds chop fast. Under 12 mph is comfortable; over 18 mph is rough; over 25 mph we stay off the main lake.
Pressure trend
Falling barometric pressure ahead of weather often triggers a strong bite window. Stable or rising pressure post-front tends to slow fish for a few hours.
Live data sourced from the USGS Water Services API and Open-Meteo. Editorial guidance from the Fish On Charters Montana guide team, based in Lakeside.
Common Questions
What's the Flathead River fishing like right now?
Live conditions are at the top of this page — current flow, water temperature, and a guide-team verdict. We update the readings every 15 minutes from USGS gauges and refresh the editorial notes weekly based on what our guides are seeing on the water.
Is the Flathead Lake fishing good today?
Wind is the biggest factor on Flathead Lake — it's a large, exposed body of water. Check the conditions block above for today's wind and a fishability rating. Lake trout (mackinaw), whitefish, and kokanee are the primary targets depending on season.
When is the best time to fish the Flathead River?
Late spring through early fall is the prime window. Runoff typically subsides by mid-June, and clear-water conditions hold through October. The river fishes best in the 50–62°F water-temperature range — when surface temps push above 68°F, we recommend pausing trout fishing under Montana hoot-owl ethics.
What flow is good for fishing the Flathead?
We look for 90–125% of the long-term seasonal median — that's the green zone for wadeable, fishable, clear water. Below 75% means low and clear (technical fishing); above 150% usually means runoff or storm influence and limited visibility. Today's flow vs. median is shown in the conditions block above.
How often is this report updated?
Live data — flow, water temperature, weather — refreshes automatically every 15 minutes from USGS and Open-Meteo public APIs. The 'What's Working' notes from our guide team update weekly.
Ready when you are