Flathead River Fishing Report | June 16, 2025
The report at a glance
Presentation
On the Flathead, run a chubby Chernobyl up top with a hot dropper early, then switch to dries like Purple Haze or Parachute Adams in size 12 to 14. Big salmonfly dries for rising fish on the Blackfoot. Nymph a size 16 Frenchie on the Missouri, then match the PMD hatch with long leaders.
Lures and baits
Chubby Chernobyl
Size 12 golden tungsten bead dropper
Pat's Rubber Legs
Purple Haze
Parachute Adams
Size 16 Frenchie
Non-Catch America fly patterns
Best time
First light, early morning while water is cool
Water level
Running at 8,470 cfs, less than half its seasonal norm.
Advice for this week
Beat the crowds, not the fish. Start early while water is cool and hatches are thick, and be off the water before afternoon heat and pressure shut the bite down.
What is changing
Flathead running at 8,470 cfs, less than half its seasonal norm. Hoot owl restrictions may arrive early this year.
Next week
Flows will keep dropping with warmer temps. Fish now while conditions hold, and expect hoot owl restrictions to tighten the fishing window soon.
The Flathead River is fishing great in mid-June 2025 despite low flows near 8,470 CFS, less than half the seasonal norm. Early morning, run a Chubby Chernobyl up top with a hot dropper like a size 12 golden tungsten bead or Pat's Rubber Legs. Later in the day, switch to dries. Purple Haze and Parachute Adams in size 12 to 14 are drawing solid surface takes.
How is the Flathead River fishing right now?
The Flathead is fishing great even though flows are low at 8,470 CFS, less than half of what they usually run this time of year. Ryan Stultz reports steady action early on droppers and better dry fly fishing through the back half of the day.
What flies are working on the Flathead River?
Early, fish a Chubby Chernobyl up top with a hot dropper, a size 12 golden tungsten bead or a Pat's Rubber Legs. As the day goes on, switch to dries. Old faithfuls like a Purple Haze or Parachute Adams in size 12 to 14 are your best bet.
When is the best time to fish the Flathead River?
Fish early to beat the heat and the crowds, then look for the dry fly bite to improve through the second half of the day. Ryan notes hoot owl restrictions may arrive early this year, so plan to be off the water by early afternoon.
What are the other Montana rivers doing?
Salmonflies are hatching daily on the Blackfoot with good dry fly eats, especially the canyon from Ovando down at 1,360 CFS. The Clark Fork is fishing great near 7,400 CFS, and the Missouri had a thick PMD hatch with fish rising by 7:30 AM.
What is the outlook for the Flathead River?
Flows are low and may drop further with warmer weather, so enjoy the current window. Cooler snaps can slow the bite short term but set up strong summer fishing. Water clarity and temperature were not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
Flathead River June 16, 2025 FAQ
About 8,470 CFS, which Ryan Stultz notes is less than half of the seasonal norm.
Purple Haze and Parachute Adams in size 12 to 14 for the afternoon dry fly bite.
A size 12 golden tungsten bead or a Pat's Rubber Legs under a Chubby Chernobyl in the early morning.
Yes. The Blackfoot River has salmonflies coming off every day with good dry fly action, especially the canyon from Ovando down.
Yes. A thick PMD hatch had fish rising by 7:30 AM, with a size 16 Frenchie producing on the nymph.
Ryan expects hoot owl restrictions may come early this year, meaning anglers off the water by early afternoon. Exact dates were not specified in this report.
