KOOTENAI RIVER MONTANA FISHING REPORT MAY 24, 2026
Kootenai River Montana Spring Rainbow
In-flow from Lake Koocanusa: not available at this time
Flows from Libby Dam: 10,000 cfs
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Monday, May 25th :
-Outflows will increase from 10.0 kcfs to 12.5 kcfs at 2000 MDT.
-Outflows will increase from 12.5 kcfs to 15.0 kcfs at 2100 MDT.
-Outflows will increase from 15.0 kcfs to 17.5 kcfs at 2200 MDT.
-Outflows will increase from 17.5 kcfs to 20.0 kcfs at 2300 MDT.
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th :
-Outflows will increase from 20.0 kcfs to 25.0 kcfs at 0000 MDT.
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
Flows from Libby Dam will be increasing to full power house capacity beginning on Monday. Don’t expect much in the way of good conditions for at least a week. When flows increase this dramatically, it takes fish a few days to find new holding lies.
While 25,000cfs is really big, after a few days fish will settle into soft areas, back eddies and long, slow runs. Be careful! At maximum flows the Kootenai is really moving and compressed currents, mini whirlpools and big standing waves should be avoided. There is no wading at 25,000 cfs.
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 60s-70s through most of the week.
Water temps are still chilly but spring hatches have started since daytime temps are creeping up. 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.
Baetis, March browns and caddis have been firing each afternoon depending on water types. Look for bugs around 2:00 pm and rising fish as well.
Don’t expect the hatches to last long. This time of year the dry fly window slams shut around 5:00 pm when the day starts to cool again. Give rising fish a good drift and they’ll eat.
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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