Johnsrud Park Fishing Access Site

Open
1 January - 31 December
Size
18 acres
Elevation
3,458 ft
Description
Find out about the latest fishing action with our Blackfoot River Fishing Report

 
Nearest Town:
Missoula
Features
Activities:
Fishing
Group Use
Boating - non-motorized
Horseshoes
Volley Ball
Restrictions & Closures
Weapons Discharge Prohibited:
Discharge of weapons prohibited in any developed recreation site.
Vehicle Length:
25 ft
Fishing Water Reports
 (1)
The Blackfoot may not be the world’s longest or most majestic river, but it is certainly well known. First made famous by Norman Maclean’s moving story, it became a permanent part ... moreof the American imagination with the 1992 release of Robert Redford’s legendary movie. A favorite for floaters, the river offers scenic diversity and variation in flows from placid meandering to white water rapids. Filled with large populations of Montana’s only two truly indigenous salmonids, the Cutthroats and Bull trout, it is also host to Rainbows, Cutbows, Browns and Mountain Whitefish throughout its entire length. The Blackfoot Valley is regarded as a fully intact ecosystem, still thought to contain every species of fauna present before the first Europeans arrived – one of only 12 such remaining ecosystems on earth.

Starting out a leisurely pace, the upper portion of the river runs slow and easy through narrow channels and dense forest. From there it flows into a large, open plain, and the first of many intermediate rapids start a few miles above the Scoot Brown Bridge. As it enters the Blackfoot River Recreation area, the speed picks up, but it is from Sperry Grade, five miles down from the Scotty Brown Bridge, that white water appears. For the next seven miles floaters are challenged with Class III rapids and sizeable waves that eventually ease off as you approach Bonner Dam.

The initial 22 miles of the river down to Lincoln, offer little to entice fly fishers. Best fished waded, the appearance of Brown trout begins to pick up on the stretch from Lincoln to Mineral Hill. While the section of river from Mineral Hill to Cedar Meadows looks short on a map, it actually consists of 18 miles of rugged twists and turns. The water is slow through here so inflatable kayaks and canoes are highly recommended. At about the halfway point of the river, the Barefoot gains velocity and continues with quick to moderate flows all the way down to Clark Fork. Wildlife is abundant here, home to grizzlies, elk, bighorn sheep, cougar, lynx, wolf and deer.
On the Water Fishing Reports
Started Here Reports
Date:
Mon, 1 Feb, 2016
The Blackfoot is not fishing well right now and other river options are recommended. It is still iced up and is not floatable.
Date:
Tue, 1 Dec, 2015
Fishing Water Report:
It is cold this time of year in this part of Montana. Be careful and watch for the ice. Make sure to find a steady spot to wade fish. This river has begun the winter fishing mode. ... moreIf it warms up you can try midges but if it stays cold, you will get the most productivity out of nymphing. Consider using an indicator or double nymphing. Inside the seams seems to be the most productive. Streamers have been working as well.
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Facilities
Easy to find
Access
Parking
Shade

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