Troy, MT Fishing Report: Kootenai, Koocanusa & Yaak — Week of November 5, 2026

Here in Troy and across Lincoln County, the big story this week was on the Kootenai River. Libby Dam held outflow near 4,200 cfs through October 31, then ramped up to a peak around 14,600 cfs on November 2 and 3 before stepping back down; the USGS gauge below the dam read about 6,600 cfs early Thursday morning, November 5. Downstream at the Leonia gauge near the Idaho line, water temperatures have stayed between about 51 and 53 degrees all week. Expect the river to keep changing as the dam adjusts, so watch the gauges before you launch and give the banks a wide berth while flows move around. Lake Koocanusa is drawing down: the Corps of Engineers had the pool at 2,442.4 feet on November 4, about 16.5 feet below full pool and dropping roughly a third to half a foot a day this week, so check your ramp before you tow. The Yaak River near Troy is running low at roughly 92 cfs and still dropping. Bull Lake and the other Lincoln County lakes stay open all year, while the Yaak and other Western District streams close after November 30. The National Weather Service forecast for Troy calls for fog most mornings, highs in the upper 40s to near 60, and a good chance of light rain Saturday night into Sunday.

A few Kootenai rules worth remembering: from Libby Dam to the Highway 37 bridge near the Fisher River, the river is open through February 28 with single-point hooks only and a one-rainbow limit with a 28-inch minimum. Below that bridge to the Idaho line the river is open all year, with four rainbows daily (three under 13 inches and only one over 18). Bull trout may not be targeted in the Kootenai and must be released right away, and any brown trout caught between Libby Dam and Kootenai Falls must be kept, reported to FWP at 406-752-5501 within 24 hours, and turned in to an FWP office within 10 days. Kokanee snagging stays open from Kootenai Falls to 0.8 miles below the Swinging Bridge through November 30. On Koocanusa, bull trout are catch-and-release only and you need the free Lake Koocanusa catch card to fish for them; the kokanee limit is 50 daily and 100 in possession.

Statewide, remember that rivers and streams in the Western District close after November 30 unless an exception keeps them open, while Central and Eastern District rivers and all lakes and reservoirs stay open year-round. Over on the Sun River, the emergency closure 500 feet above and below the Sun River (Pishkun Road) Bridge for bridge construction runs through November 15. The Fish and Wildlife Commission took up the proposed 2027-2028 fishing regulations at its October 14 meeting, so check FWP’s site for what changes next season. Your 2026 license and the current regulations are good through the end of February 2027.

Heading out on the Kootenai, Koocanusa or the Yaak this week? Stop by Booze ‘N Bait in Troy and stock up on fishing bait and tackle, and check our Best Fishing Days calendar to plan your trip.