Big Hole River
🎣 Blue-Ribbon Trout
Beaverhead Co. · 153 mi · Class I–II
837CFS/ 3.69 ft
Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 500–3000 CFS · USGS #06024540
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Montana Blue-Ribbon Trout Stream · Arctic Grayling Recovery Area
The "River of 10,000 Bends" — the Big Hole meanders 153 miles through one of Montana"s most remote and undeveloped valleys. Blue-Ribbon trout fishing for wild brown, rainbow, and brook trout in a landscape that looks much as it did when Lewis and Clark passed through. One of the last rivers in the lower 48 where Arctic grayling survive.
Trip sections
Upper Big Hole — Wisdom to Divide, Class I, high mountain meadow
Middle Big Hole — Divide to Melrose, Class I–II, canyon transition
Lower Big Hole to Jefferson — Class I, wide valley
Outfitters
Big Hole River Outfitters
Guided float fishing on the Big Hole from Melrose
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.