Clark Fork River

Pend Oreille River Drainage

  • Recommended Fishing Water

Clark Fork River in Bonner County is 97.5 miles in length.

Interactive Map
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Facilities

Motor Restriction
No
Boat Ramp
Yes
Dock
Yes
Toilet
Yes
Campground
Yes
ADA Access
Handicap Accessible

Directions

Best accessed off of Hwy 200 near the town of Clark Fork.  Several boating access sites exist.  The IDFG-operated Johnson Creek and Clark Fork Driftyard sites provide the best access to the lower river and delta.  The Derr Island site, located on the Johnson Creek Road at the upstream end of Derr Island, provides the best access during winter.  Water level of Lake Pend Oreille can influence access at boat ramps, particularly during the winter months when the lake is at lower elevation.  Another Avista-operated access site exists on the upper river a short distance downstream of Cabinet Gorge Dam along Hwy 200.

Recommended Game Fish

Fish Stocking Records

Date
Species
Quantity
General Size
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Date
Species
Quantity
General Size
2020/06/19 Kokanee 64,720 Fry (0-3 inches)
2019/06/21 Kokanee 64,090 Fry (0-3 inches)
2016/06/14 Kokanee 30,300 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2016/06/06 Kokanee 84,250 Fry (0-3 inches)
2016/06/03 Kokanee 92,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2016/04/18 Kokanee 870,800 Fry (0-3 inches)
2015/06/18 Kokanee 58,321 Fry (0-3 inches)
2015/06/10 Kokanee 154,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2015/06/09 Kokanee 336,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2015/06/09 Kokanee 416,746 Fry (0-3 inches)
2009/03/18 Kokanee 506,072 Fry (0-3 inches)
2006/11/21 Kokanee 300 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/06/27 Kokanee 445,311 Fry (0-3 inches)
2005/11/22 Kokanee 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/06/20 Kokanee 401,220 Fry (0-3 inches)
2005/03/07 Kokanee 269,700 Fry (0-3 inches)
2005/03/06 Kokanee 200,100 Fry (0-3 inches)
2005/03/04 Kokanee 262,450 Fry (0-3 inches)
2005/03/03 Kokanee 169,650 Fry (0-3 inches)
2005/02/28 Kokanee 210,250 Fry (0-3 inches)
2004/06/09 Kokanee 928,808 Fry (0-3 inches)
2003/12/16 Kokanee 161 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/07/07 Bull Trout 15 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2001/06/01 Kokanee 1,523,018 Fry (0-3 inches)
2000/06/15 Kokanee 2,971,859 Fry (0-3 inches)
1999/12/28 Kokanee 124 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/06/14 Kokanee 3,067,158 Fry (0-3 inches)
1999/06/08 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 8,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1998/06/04 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 4,532 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1997/07/02 Kokanee 1,004,687 Fry (0-3 inches)
1996/07/15 Kokanee 4,349,686 Fry (0-3 inches)
1995/06/29 Kokanee 4,399,821 Fry (0-3 inches)
1994/06/10 Kokanee 4,324,487 Fry (0-3 inches)
1992/07/07 Kokanee 1,123,604 Fry (0-3 inches)
1992/06/11 Bull Trout 5,055 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1992/06/11 Rainbow Trout 9,344 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1991/06/26 Kokanee 2,613,800 Fry (0-3 inches)
1990/09/18 Bull Trout 3,338 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1990/06/26 Kokanee 3,429,700 Fry (0-3 inches)
1990/06/26 Rainbow Trout 11,600 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1990/04/09 Rainbow Trout 11,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1989/09/12 Bull Trout 2,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1989/07/13 Rainbow Trout 6,851 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1989/06/21 Kokanee 3,513,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1988/07/07 Kokanee 1,297,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1988/06/15 Kokanee 3,413,700 Fry (0-3 inches)
1988/06/15 Rainbow Trout 4,821 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1987/07/27 Kokanee 236,043 Fry (0-3 inches)
1987/07/22 Kokanee 2,777,662 Fry (0-3 inches)
1986/09/04 Kokanee 12,621 Fry (0-3 inches)
1986/08/12 Kokanee 774,312 Fry (0-3 inches)
1986/08/04 Kokanee 1,523,222 Fry (0-3 inches)
1986/07/30 Kokanee 1,095,348 Fry (0-3 inches)
1986/07/12 Kokanee 10,014 Fry (0-3 inches)
1986/06/21 Rainbow Trout 11,170 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1985/08/14 Kokanee 174,964 Fry (0-3 inches)
1985/08/13 Kokanee 584,071 Fry (0-3 inches)
1985/08/12 Kokanee 566,060 Fry (0-3 inches)
1985/07/26 Kokanee 1,209,128 Fry (0-3 inches)
1984/08/07 Kokanee 299,256 Fry (0-3 inches)
1984/08/06 Kokanee 712,338 Fry (0-3 inches)
1984/07/30 Kokanee 645,034 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/08/03 Kokanee 123,384 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/08/02 Kokanee 483,717 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/08/01 Kokanee 724,556 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/07/28 Kokanee 877,177 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/05/13 Rainbow Trout 4,958 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/05/13 Rainbow Trout 18,940 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/05/12 Rainbow Trout 17,640 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/05/11 Rainbow Trout 13,320 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/05/09 Rainbow Trout 19,800 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/05/05 Rainbow Trout 18,440 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/05/04 Rainbow Trout 21,600 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/05/03 Rainbow Trout 19,980 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/04/27 Rainbow Trout 14,027 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/03/02 Kokanee 281,596 Fry (0-3 inches)
1982/07/13 Kokanee 74,640 Fry (0-3 inches)
1982/07/12 Kokanee 1,678,200 Fry (0-3 inches)
1981/08/03 Kokanee 695,892 Fry (0-3 inches)
1981/08/02 Kokanee 483,680 Fry (0-3 inches)
1981/08/01 Kokanee 665,680 Fry (0-3 inches)
1981/07/28 Kokanee 88,352 Fry (0-3 inches)
1976/12/03 Bull Trout 292,900 Eyed Eggs
1976/09/24 Rainbow Trout 413 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/07/20 Rainbow Trout 4,640 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/12/21 Bull Trout 114,480 Eyed Eggs
1975/07/25 Rainbow Trout 2,275 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/07/24 Rainbow Trout 2,800 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/12/15 Bull Trout 50,160 Eyed Eggs
1974/04/29 Bull Trout 10,352 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1974/04/09 Kokanee 144,800 Fry (0-3 inches)
1973/07/03 Rainbow Trout 2,296 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/06/15 Rainbow Trout 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/05/09 Bull Trout 121,440 Fry (0-3 inches)
1972/12/17 Bull Trout 100,050 Eyed Eggs
1972/09/11 Rainbow Trout 578 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/08/08 Rainbow Trout 713 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/07/31 Rainbow Trout 1,155 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/05/01 Bull Trout 2,196 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/07/19 Rainbow Trout 1,760 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/07/14 Bull Trout 1,058 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/07/27 Rainbow Trout 3,040 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/08/25 Rainbow Trout 2,340 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/07/28 Rainbow Trout 2,320 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/06/20 Rainbow Trout 1,920 Catchable (6+ inches)
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

Fishing Rules, 2025 - 2027

All Waters Open All Year

Except as modified in Special Rules
Fishing is not allowed within the posted upstream and downstream boundary of any fish weir or trap.

Daily Bag Limits

The following daily bag limits apply to all waters within each region except as modified in the Special Rules. The possession limit is 3-times the daily bag limit.

Special Rules

Clark Fork River Section: Entire river upstream of a straight line extending north of county boat dock (near mouth of Johnson Creek) to Bear Paw Point (southwest tip of Denton Slough)
  • No limit on Lake Trout
  • Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
  • Rainbow Trout catch-and-release December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend
Nearby Rules The following special rule(s) apply to adjacent waters but exclude the Clark Fork River.
Clark Fork River tributaries (includes Lightning Creek and tributaries)
  • Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
  • Rainbow Trout catch-and-release December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend
  • No bait allowed December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend
Panhandle Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • Bass limit is 6, both species combined

Brook Trout

  • Brook Trout limit is 25
  • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout

Bull Trout

  • Bull Trout - catch-and-release

Burbot

  • Burbot limit is 6

Chinook Salmon (land-locked)

  • Chinook Salmon limit is 2, none under 24 inches

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 15

Northern Pike (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

  • No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

Sturgeon

  • Fishing for sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal
  • Sturgeon caught incidentally must be released immediately

Tiger Muskie

  • Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

Trout includes Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Arctic Grayling, trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)

  • Trout limit is 6, all species combined
  • Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately

Walleye (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

  • No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

Whitefish

  • Whitefish limit is 25
  • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

  • No bag, length, or possession limit
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