Blackfoot Challenge

08/22/2026

Lots of miles covered by interns, students and staff installing camera traps across the watershed this summer -- all in the name of science. The pictures will start to tell us more about how wildlife is using various habitats and advise future stewardship plans.

08/20/2026

Last weekend brought another successful volunteer invasive w**d pull -- amidst the ongoing competition over who can find the largest invader. It's great to see that competition get tougher every year -- although the knapw**d continues to sneak in amongst the native plants. Thanks to the devoted folks helping to care for the Russ Gates river access site! **d

08/18/2026

Great opportunity coming up to practice with your bear spray with one of the best experts in the state -- and stay safe in the woods this fall!

08/14/2026

Wish we could say it was a summer without drought impacts -- but no such luck. The Blackfoot River dropped below the drought response trigger of 700 cfs on Tuesday. Thursday rains brought a bump in flows, but chances are that won't last long. Therefore the Blackfoot Drought Response Committee activated the Drought Plan this week -- and water users are being asked to implement water conservation measures at this time. Thank you for doing your part!

08/12/2026

Join our Maclean Festival Conservation Tour at 1pm, Saturday August 15 and learn more about the technique of conservation easements and how they have impacted the Blackfoot Valley. Hear the deep history of the E Bar L Ranch from Juanita Vero, get updated on ranch conservation by Blackfoot Challenge Chair Jim Stone, and learn about the successful conservation of the historic Case Ranch.

Pre-registration for the tour is required at macleanfootsteps.com. Tickets are $20 per person. Meet the bus at Kettlehouse Brewery in Bonner at 1pm. If you’re coming from the East, meet the bus at 1:30 at the Roundup Boat Launch, just north of Hwy 200 at Nine Mile Road. Parking available there.

“Come for the River, Stay for the Stories”

08/10/2026

From the tent-raising to the final bidding, the 2026 Blackfoot Block Party was a rousing success. Thanks to all who waved off the heat and smoke to join us for another great celebration of community collaboration on behalf of the Blackfoot watershed. We love you all!

08/08/2026

Join us next weekends for a second w**d pull this summer at the Russ Gates river access site. Over more than 2 decades -- these twice a summer events have helped keep noxious w**ds from taking over a popular public recreation area. Many hands make light work! **ds

08/06/2026

Another round of "matching the hatch" in the Blackfoot River this week -- with a full class of macroinvertebrate enthusiasts led by our partners at The Salmonfly Project. Want to know how your favorite river is doing? Study the bugs! The Salmonfly Project

08/03/2026

So much fun learning about aquatic insects with our partners at The Salmonfly Project. Their work to monitor and conserve aquatic insect populations is critical to the future of native trout populations.

07/29/2026

Parts of the Blackfoot have gone to hoot owl restrictions. Check the list before heading out!

Additional “hoot-owl” fishing restrictions (fishing closed 2 p.m.-midnight) begin July 29 on many of our rivers to help reduce stress on fish.

🦉 Big Hole River will expand restrictions to include the entire river downstream of Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road
🦉 Blackfoot River from Cedar Meadow Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Clark Fork River
🦉 Monture Creek from the confluence with Falls Creek to the Highway 200 bridge
🦉 Clark Fork River restrictions extended downstream to include the river from Flint Creek to the confluence with the Flathead River
🦉 East Fork of the Bitterroot River from the Highway 93 crossing at Sula to its confluence with the West Fork of the Bitterroot; the entire mainstem of the Bitterroot is already under restrictions.
🦉 Lolo Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with South Fork Lolo Creek
🦉 Rock Creek from its headwaters at the confluence of the West and Middle Forks to the mouth of Stoney Creek
🦉 Silver Bow Creek in its entirety from Blacktail Creek at Montana St. in Butte to the mouth of Warm Springs Creek at the Gas City Rd. Bridge

Full closures apply to a 100-yard radius of the mouths of the following rivers and creeks that are tributaries to the Clark Fork River:
🚫 Mouth of Fish Creek
🚫 Mouth of Rattlesnake Creek
🚫 Mouth of St. Regis River

Stay up to date on all current restrictions here:
fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures

😅 Montana also offers many other angling options with better conditions for fish this time of year, including larger lakes, reservoirs, and higher-elevation lakes and streams.