KOOTENAI RIVER MONTANA FISHING REPORT APRIL 16,2026
Kootenai River Montana spring trip
In-flow from Lake Koocanusa: not available at this time
Flows from Libby Dam: 20,000
Hatches: midge, baetis, March browns, caddis
Water temperature at stilling basin below Libby Dam: approximately 40 degrees
patterns: zebra midge, Uke's brown perdigon, wire worm, perdigons, smaller sparkle minnows, midge cluster, Pat's stonefly, flashback pheasant tail nymph, hare's ears, prince nymphs, circus peanuts, drunk and disorderlies, parachute Adams, purple haze, baetis sparkle dun, x-caddis, Bloom’s caddis
The Kootenai river is presently running high but water conditions are good and it’s fishing pretty well. It’s not usually this high in the spring and we most often see around 4,000 cfs. But this year is different in many ways. In spite of low snow pack we’ve had, and continue to have lots of precipitation in the basin mostly in the form of rain. Each afternoon I run my dogs in the woods and there’s more standing water and swampy spots than I can remember compared to other Aprils.
Keep in mind the Kootenai River is closed to fishing from Libby Dam to the Fisher River bridge until June 1.
Expect partly sunny days with temperatures in the and 50s-60s through most of the week.
Water temps are still cold but spring hatches have started since daytime temps are creeping up. Baetis and March brown mayflies and caddis are active in late afternoons. Depending on the day and stretch, expect to find rising fish in softer water and off current areas if bugs are around. This time of year rising fish are pretty user friendly. Get a good drift and they’ll likely crush your fly.
As is often the case in the spring, nymphing is strong and will consistently produce fish throughout the day.
Be sure to look for fish in softer water. I mention this every spring. Trout are lethargic this time of year and will not move very far to feed. Additionally, they will be in off current areas, around cover, and especially in soft runs with depths of 5 plus feet of water. Skip riffles. They're just not there this time of year. Any of the nymph patterns listed above will move fish and rigs with indicators set about five to six feet from the top fly will cover most water. One or two BB split shot should do the trick. Coffee colored Pat’s stonefly with a perdigon is always a good bet.
If you have a hankering, streamer fishing is best bet if you're looking for one solid fish. Depending on flows, be sure to get the fly down. Fish it slowly and thump and pulse like it's a wounded minnow. If you get a pull, stop it. Let it sink. Then pulse it again. While not as productive as nymphing throughout the day, pulling junk will move a nicer fish or two. This is the time of year when bigger fish will be bulking up. Stick with it. You'll get a nice one.
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