This Kootenai River Montana fishing report is being brought to you by Orvis Endorsed Linehan Outfitting. This report will be updated weekly to provide current conditions, weather, hatches, patterns, and flows to our local waters and across the state.
In-flow from Lake Koocanusa: approximately 4000cfs
Flows from Libby Dam:
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Tuesday through Friday, February 25th – 28th :
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Tuesday, February 25:
-Outflows will increase from 4.0 kcfs to 6.0 kcfs at 0400 MST.
-Outflows will increase from 6.0 kcfs to 8.0 kcfs at 0500 MST.
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Wednesday, February 26:
-Outflows will decrease from 8.0 kcfs to 7.5 kcfs at 0100 MST.
-Outflows will decrease from 7.5 kcfs to 7.0 kcfs at 0200 MST.
-Outflows will decrease from 7.0 kcfs to 6.5 kcfs at 0300 MST.
-Outflows will decrease from 6.5 kcfs to 6.0 kcfs at 0400 MST.
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Wednesday, February 27:
-Outflows will decrease from 6.0 kcfs to 5.5 kcfs at 0100 MST.
-Outflows will decrease from 5.5 kcfs to 5.0 kcfs at 0200 MST.
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Wednesday, February 28:
-Outflows will decrease from 5.0 kcfs to 4.5 kcfs at 0100 MST.
-Outflows will decrease from 4.5 kcfs to 4.0 kcfs at 0200 MST.
Hatches: midge, baetis
Water temperature at stilling basin below Libby Dam: approximately 36 degrees
patterns: zebra midge, Uke’s brown perdigon, wire worm, perdigons, big streamers in white, black and red
Great news! It looks like daytime temps are finally warming up a bit and will be consistently above freezing for the first time since November. It’s been a real winter up here. Additionally, flows from Libby Dam will be low at least through the middle of the week. What does this mean? It means the first good fishing opportunity on the Kootenai River of the 2025 season.
Water temps are very cold, fish are lethargic, and that means no dry fly fishing at all. Water temps will have to warm up considerably before we see any bugs so baetis and March browns are still a month away at least.
Nymphing can be good under these conditions. Get the flies down. Bump them in the nose and you may get lucky.
Streamer fishing is best bet if you’re looking for one solid fish. Again, 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.
This time of year fish will be found in slower currents, deep holes, drop-offs, and soft runs. Skip fast water for the most part. Concentrate efforts on walking speed or slower.
Snowpack to date is exceptional. Right now the Kootenai basin is near 100% of average. This bodes extremely well for water conditions this season especially since we will get more snow before winter ends.
Pitchers and catchers are headed for spring training next week! The Red Sox have made some interesting trades and acquisitions in the last few months. Sox fans are hopeful and eager to see what this team looks like. Go Sox!
Give a call anytime if you need more Kootenai River details or information on any our hunting or fishing adventures. And please check out our e-commerce site for all Linehan Outfitting branded soft wear and hats and all Orvis gear as well. The new Orvis Helios rods are here and you have to cast one to believe! https://linehan-outfitting.myshopify.com/
