About
Norman Maclean, 1976 — 'A River Runs Through It' — Blackfoot River, Montana. From Landers Fork through 132 miles of Powell and Missoula counties, the Blackfoot runs at 2200 CFS average through some of Montana's most storied trout water. The upper section from Landers Fork to Lincoln holds Class I-II water, while the middle stretch from Lincoln to the Clearwater junction pushes Class II-III. Below the Clearwater confluence lies the lower Blackfoot — the water Norman Maclean wrote about, flowing toward the Clark Fork through ranch country and cottonwood bottoms. Mining and timber operations from the 1880s through the 1970s nearly destroyed the fishery, leaving the river struggling with sediment and toxic runoff. The Blackfoot Challenge formed in 1993 as a landmark collaborative conservation effort, bringing together ranchers, anglers, and conservationists to restore the watershed. That work earned the river Montana Blue-Ribbon designation and created the Blackfoot Challenge Conservation Area. At optimal flows of 1500-5000 CFS (gauge 12340000), the river supports wild trout populations that have recovered dramatically from their 1970s low point. Ten Spoon Winery & Vineyard and Missoula Paddleheads run guided trips on the lower stretches.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.