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The Kootenai below Libby Dam. A big, cold tailwater famous for trophy rainbow trout and mountain whitefish. The river tops out around 15 ft. The contours come from a model of the real basin shape and its known max depth. Read them as probabilities, not soundings, and keep them out of navigation decisions. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
On the chart, Kootenai River draws 1,015 acres inside 56.7 miles of shoreline. The 12.7 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. Call it 21.1 mi long by 4.2 mi wide at the broadest reach. The water lies in Lincoln County. The nearest mapped water is Savage Lake, 13 mi to the west.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: rainbow trout in 4 to 15 ft. The depth story barely changes: 4 to 15 ft through summer, 3 to 15 ft in winter. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 2.5), a current seam in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.5) (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.5) (8 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.5) (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 3 to 15 ft | dawn | Current seam (mile 2.5) (8 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
When the water first warms, lake whitefish slide up into 5 to 15 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 5 to 15 ft, winter 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Riffle & run (mile 0.6): a rock pile around 5 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Keep a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Riffle & run (mile 0.6) (5 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 5 to 15 ft | dawn | Tailout eddy (mile 28.3) (8 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | dusk | Riffle & run (mile 0.6) (5 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Tailout eddy (mile 28.3) (8 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
16 pieces of structure are mapped here — Libby Dam tailrace, around 13 ft, is the deepest of them.
Access data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) — community-mapped launches. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Montana waters are set by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks — and special regulations can apply to Kootenai River specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Montana fishing regulations →
Kootenai River is about 15 ft (5 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target rainbow trout, lake whitefish on Kootenai River.
Current seam (mile 2.5) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Kootenai River is regulated by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Check the official Montana regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Savage Lake 13 mi · Loon Lake (Lincoln) 15 mi · Bull Lake (Lincoln) 18 mi · Kilbrennan Lake 20 mi · Spar Lake 21 mi · Little Loon Lake 28 mi · Leon Lake 28 mi · Horseshoe Lake (Lincoln) 28 mi · Island Lake 28 mi · Crystal Lake (Lincoln) 29 mi · Thompson Lake, Upper 31 mi · Vinal Lake 31 mi
See how Kootenai River stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Montana · best lake whitefish lakes in Montana
More water nearby: Lincoln County fishing maps (28 charts). Browse all Montana fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.