Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Sep to Jun
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Clark Fork River (Missoula) Fishing Guide
Montana
A wild trout river through Missoula, where rainbow trout and rainbow x cutthroat hybrids make up most of the trout, with brown trout and native westslope cutthroat.
Part of the Clark Fork River.
Photo: w_lemay via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Clark Fork River (Missoula) for rainbow trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. November is outside the confirmed prime months here: rainbow trout and brown trout are prime Apr to Oct.
There are 7 shops nearby (5 fly, 3 bait and tackle; some are both), including Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop in Missoula. Also nearby: the Blackfoot River.
Season at a Glance
JFMAMJJASOND
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Cutthroat Trout
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Prime From Water Temperature: measured at USGS gauge 12340500, set against FWS temperature ranges for Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout (our reading)How We Read ItSpawning: Montana FWP (Brown Trout)
Season Rules & Licenses
- Cutthroat trout: catch-and-release in every section. Montana FWP 2026
- Perkins Lane Bridge to the Flathead River: catch-and-release for all trout from Dec. 1 to the third Saturday in May, artificial lures and/or maggots only. Montana FWP 2026
- In hot, dry summers FWP may close the Flathead River to the Blackfoot River to fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight (hoot owl), or to all fishing; check FWP's current restrictions before you go. Montana FWP 2023-26
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Montana fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
License Sellers Nearby
Wal-Mart Supercenter #3259
3555 Mullan Rd, MissoulaSportsman's Warehouse
2323 N Reserve St, MissoulaWal-Mart Supercenter #2147
4000 US Hwy 93 South, MissoulaSource: Montana FWP's license agent list, Oct 2026. Call ahead.
Parts of the Clark Fork River
- Main PageClark Fork RiverThe Clark Fork from its wild trout water through Missoula to Idaho, where it runs below Cabinet Gorge Dam to Lake Pend Oreille with walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and trout.
- Rivers & Streams · Montana · You're HereClark Fork River (Missoula)A wild trout river through Missoula, where rainbow trout and rainbow x cutthroat hybrids make up most of the trout, with brown trout and native westslope cutthroat.
- Rivers & Streams · IdahoClark Fork River (Idaho)The Clark Fork in Idaho, from below Cabinet Gorge Dam to its delta in Lake Pend Oreille, where Idaho Fish and Game's recommended game fish include walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout and rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.
Clark Fork River (Missoula) Species
Species per Montana FWP: Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout; Brown Trout.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Rainbow Trout
Prime: Apr to Oct
Fly
9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 5wt floatingCheck Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
- Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price
Spin / Cast
6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reel, 2 pieceCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting Spoon · Acme Kastmaster SpoonSmall sizes for trout.Check Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Clark Fork River (Missoula):
- Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, MissoulaWebsite
- The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop, MissoulaWebsite
- Kingfisher Fly Shop, MissoulaWebsite
Map of Clark Fork River (Missoula)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Nothing at its peak this month.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
41°F high, 26°F low
About 1.4 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
1,500 cfs
Most years 1,139 cfs to 1,972 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 2 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 12340500, 1929 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jul to Aug
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Clark Fork River (Missoula)
Source: Montana FWP Fishing Access Sites. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Clark Fork River (Missoula)
Fly Shop
Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop
Missoula, Montana
215 W Front Street 406-721-8996
Downtown Missoula fly shop offering fly-fishing gear and fishing trips.
Guides and Charters Near Clark Fork River (Missoula)
GuideFly Fishing
Mount Flyfishing Connection
Missoula, Montana
Per their website: Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, River Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Montana Fishing Company
Missoula, Montana
2415 Wyoming St W 406-210-0971
Per their website: Cutthroat Trout, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Clear Creek Outfitters
Missoula, Montana
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Montana Trout Outfitters
Missoula, Montana
Per their website: Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Common Carp, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips, River Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Renegade Fly Fishing Outfitters
Missoula, Montana
9450 Butler Creek Rd 406-880-7221
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips
GuideFly Fishing
R R 406 Fly Fishing Guides
Missoula, Montana
8677 Snapdragon Dr 406-491-6499
Per their website: Northern Pike, Float Trips
