Fishtrap Creek

Thompson Falls, Montana

Montana

Free — you'll pick up right here.

No verdict for this water

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside Lolo National Forest

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

18.3 mi run
Seasonal — can run dry
163 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow
163 cfs
Average current
1.4 ft/s
Gradient
58.7 ft/mi
Drainage area
93 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

Here's your day on the water, mapped

Fishtrap Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

Fishtrap Creek is a 18-mile paddling stretch near Thompson Falls, Montana. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 163 cfs and a gradient of about 58.7 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

When to go

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Libby 32 Sse, MT weather station, 11 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.

  1. Jan30° high15° low12 days with snow
  2. Feb35° high15° low10 days with snow
  3. Mar43° high22° low10 days with snow
  4. Apr52° high28° low5 days with snow
  5. May62° high34° low1 days with snow
  6. Jun69° high39° low
  7. Jul78° high42° low
  8. Aug78° high40° low
  9. Sep67° high34° low
  10. Oct52° high27° low3 days with snow
  11. Nov37° high22° low9 days with snow
  12. Dec29° high15° low13 days with snow

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Lolo National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Saint Regis RiverPhoto: Ken Gallager, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Regis River

~60 min drive

Saint Regis River is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Saltese, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 157 cfs and a gradient of about 75.6 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Mc Gregor Lake Bs Boating Site

~32 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Avery Creek Cabin

~1h 6m drive

A worthwhile stop near Idaho.

Thompson River

~8 min drive

Thompson River is a 43-mile paddling stretch near Thompson Falls, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 566 cfs and a gradient of about 17.0 feet per mile.

North Shore Boat Ramp/Day Use

~41 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Little Thompson River

~22 min drive

Little Thompson River is a 17-mile paddling stretch near Plains, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 53 cfs and a gradient of about 82.9 feet per mile.

Marten Creek Boat Ramp

~51 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Vermilion River

~22 min drive

Vermilion River is a 21-mile paddling stretch near Thompson Falls, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 227 cfs and a gradient of about 122.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Ferry Landing/Boating/Picnic/Trhd

~1h drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

East Fisher Creek

~24 min drive

East Fisher Creek is a 9-mile paddling stretch near Libby, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 52 cfs and a gradient of about 48.5 feet per mile.

Guided trips nearby

Local operators near Thompson Fallsoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Wild Horse RV Resort

Kayaking business nearby (~38 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Montana Basecamp

Kayaking business nearby (~45 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Rocky Mountain Outfitter

Kayaking business nearby (~46 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator