The Kootenay River is one of the best early season bull trout fisheries in North America. In April and May the bull trout congregate at the mouths of the tributary streams entering the Kootenay where they feast on emerging whitefish and kokanee fry.
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Is the Kootenai River open for fishing?
Kootenai River in April Snow comes off in March or April. The best fishing is from mid-June through November. Kootenai River by Libby The Kootenai River flows right by Libby, with numerous nearby boat launch access points. Drift boat fishing Drift boats allow fishermen to get close to the best fishing holes.
What fish can you catch on the Kootenai River?
Anglers can find rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bull trout, brook trout and mountain whitefish. About 20 miles east into Montana is the Kootenai Falls, one of the largest undammed waterfalls in the Northwest.
Can you float the Kootenai River?
The Kootenai River, due to its sheer size, is a river that’s best float fished, particularly during the summer. Anyone wading the Kootenai River must also deal with the variable flows of the Kootenai itselfโthe unannounced and frequent releases from Libby Dam often quickly raise water levels and increase the flow rate.
How deep is the Kootenai River?
The meandering section through the Kootenai Valley is characterized by water depths of up to 12 meters (40 feet) in runs and up to 30 meters (100 feet) in pools (Snyder and Minshall 1994). This reach has been extensively diked and channelized, which restricts the natural ecological function of the River.
Are there salmon in the Kootenai River?

Are there two Kootenay rivers?
The river becomes significantly larger at its confluence with the Vermilion River, which is actually the larger of the two where they meet near Kootenay Crossing. The Kootenay continues southeast, receiving the Palliser River from the left, and flows south into a gorge at the confluence with the White River.
Are there fish in the Moyie River?
About Moyie River Moyie River is a stream near Sandpoint. The most popular species caught here are Brook trout and Coastal cutthroat trout.
What kind of fish are in the Yaak River Montana?
The Yaak River is a fine river to fly fish. The Yaak offers up average sized rainbows, cutthroats and a healthy population of larger brook trout. The Yaak River region is very isolated.
What river runs through Libby Montana?
The Kootenai River, Libby, Montana. Kootenai River The Kootenai River flows through Libby and Troy and offers Blue Ribbon trout fishing. Scenic Kootenai Falls and Lake Koocanusa Reservoir are two of the many attractions along this mountain river. The Kootenai River near Libby.
Where is the Kootenay River?
Kootenay River, also spelled Kootenai, stream in western North America, rising in the Rocky Mountains west of Banff, Alta., Can. It flows southward through Kootenay National Park in British Columbia, Can., breaking out of the Rockies to flow generally south in the Rocky Mountain trench.
Is the Kootenai river polluted?
The Kootenai watershed, which straddles Canada, Montana, and Idaho has pervasive selenium pollution that is leaching from Teck’s mountaintop removal coal mines in British Columbia. High selenium concentrations in the river degrade water quality, poison fish, and pose a threat to human health.
Are there sturgeon in the Kootenai river?
The Kootenai River population of the white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) was listed as endangered on September 6th, 1994. White sturgeon are found from California to Alaska, and their inland populations, like the Kootenai River population, are landlocked.
Can you kayak Kootenai Falls?
Kootenai Falls and the gorge below are a spectacular big-water paddling run with many lines depending on flows including several waterfalls, a large surf wave, some big-water lines, and some impressive whirlpools. This is all set in a very scenic gorge made all the more impressive by the gleaming blue-green water.
Where can you snag salmon in Montana?
All about fishing for coho and kokanee salmon in MT. Several major lakes including Ashley Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Fresno Reservoir, Georgetown Lake, Hauser Lake, Holter Reservoir, Lake Helena, Lake Koocanusa, McDonald Lake, Noxon Reservoir, Seeley Lake and Swan Lake all have populations of salmon.
How big do kokanee get?
The kokanee are much smaller than their saltwater counterparts and only grow to about 12 to 15 inches. Because of its more diminutive size, you should clean and cook this fish as you would a trout that also lives in the streams and rivers.
How do you catch Kokanee salmon?
Kokanee tend to be an open water fish, and most anglers target them from a boat or flotation device such as a kayak or float tube. Very few are caught from the bank. Kokanee can be found anywhere from close to the surface to hundreds of feet down, in deeper lakes.
Do you have to use barbless hooks on the Columbia River?
Barbless Hooks are required when angling for salmon, steelhead, or trout in the mainstem Columbia River under permanent regulations. All other permanent rules for the Columbia River Zone, as stated in the 2022 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (see e-regulations), remain in effect unless modified below.
When can you fish the Kootenay River?
Fishing Highlights The Kootenay River is home to westslope cutthroat and bull trout. The best time to fish the Kootenay River is from April into late May then again in late August through October. It is at these times that the Kootenay River is low and clear.
Is there fish in Toby Creek?
Toby Creek is a stream in British Columbia, Canada. The most popular species caught here are Bull trout, Northern pikeminnow, and Lake trout.
Can you boat on the Kootenay River?
If you are interested in getting a boat out on the water, there is a boat launch on the west side of Duck Lake and at various locations along the Kootenay River.
How do you say Kootenai River?
Kootenai (KOO-tun-ee), the name of another Native American people, is a county in North Idaho.
What is Bonners Ferry Idaho known for?
Located in the heart of the Kootenai River Valley, the town of Bonners Ferry serves as a picturesque international gateway to Idaho and hosts visitors from around the world. Surrounded by three mountain ranges, abundant outdoor recreation is just steps away.
What is Clark Fork?
The Clark Fork, or the Clark Fork of the Columbia River, is a river in the U.S. states of Montana and Idaho, approximately 310 miles (500 km) long. The largest river by volume in Montana, it drains an extensive region of the Rocky Mountains in western Montana and northern Idaho in the watershed of the Columbia River.
Where can I fish Moyie River?
- ยฉ Mapbox, ยฉ OpenStreetMap. Bonner Lake. Idaho, United States.
- Fry Creek. Idaho, United States.
- Brush Creek. Idaho, United States.
- Dawson Lake. Idaho, United States.
- Perkins Lake. Idaho, United States.
- Smith Lake. Idaho, United States.
- Meadow Creek. Idaho, United States.
- Deep Creek. Idaho, United States.