Flathead River
Formed by its North and Middle forks by Glacier National Park, the Flathead passes Columbia Falls and Kalispell into Flathead Lake, then leaves near Polson and swings south and west to the Clark Fork.
Course of the river, simplified. Map data from Natural Earth (public domain).
Weather at the Flathead River (National Weather Service) ↗
River facts
| Length | 158 miles |
|---|---|
| Source | North and Middle Fork confluence near West Glacier, Montana |
| Mouth | Clark Fork near Paradise, Montana |
| State | Montana |
Seli'š Ksanka Qlispe' Dam (formerly Kerr Dam) near Polson raises Flathead Lake.
Boat ramps, launches and bait shops
Detailed ramp, bait shop and lock-and-dam listings for the Flathead River are coming soon. Until then, these searches open Google Maps along the river:
Fishing regulations
Check the state agency for river-specific rules, seasons and limits before you fish:
- Montana: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ↗
Lakes on or near the Flathead River
Lakes in our guide on or near this river:
Facts from Flathead River (Wikipedia) ↗