Swan River
Near Kalispell, Montana
The Swan River flows 92 miles from the Mission Mountains through the scenic Swan Valley before emptying into Flathead Lake near Bigfork. This beautiful river supports native westslope cutthroat trout and threatened bull trout, along with northern pike and brook trout in various sections. The upper river near Condon offers wilderness-quality fishing for cutthroat in crystal-clear water, while the lower sections hold larger fish including migratory bull trout in fall. Float fishing is popular from Swan Lake to Flathead Lake, with guides specializing in this remote stretch. Highway 83 parallels the river providing access to numerous pullouts and camping areas in the Flathead National Forest. Catch-and-release regulations protect the native fish, and anglers should be able to identify and properly release bull trout. Summer and fall offer the best conditions, with terrestrial fishing being particularly productive. The Swan Valley offers a quieter alternative to the more crowded waters near Missoula.