What flies are hatching on the Knife River right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Knife River include Blue-Winged Olive, Caddis, Steelhead runs. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the Knife River?

The Knife River is running at 11.1 CFS at the Knife River near Two Harbors, MN gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Knife River fishable today?

Knife River is outside its fishable window right now. Flow is 11.1 CFS at the Knife River near Two Harbors, MN gauge. Check back when conditions return to the normal range.

Knife River Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Knife River — Knife River near Two Harbors, MN

Unfishable

11.1CFS

Discharge

25.86ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 20 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↓ Falling

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

28.68 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

68°FClear sky

Wind 4 mph28.68 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

🌧️

Rain

80° / 60°

0.46"

Tomorrow

☁️

Overcast

80° / 59°

Wed

☁️

Overcast

77° / 60°

Thu

☁️

Overcast

72° / 58°

Rain in forecast — expect rising, off-color water in 12–24 hrs.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

2

Time of Day

Using: 11.1 CFS · BWOs returning

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Knife River conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Knife River · September · Early Fall

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

BWOs returning (size 18-20). Brook trout pre-spawn — RESPECT REDDS late month. FALL COHO SALMON entering from Lake Superior on lower river.

Blue-Winged Olive

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Knife River

The Knife River on Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior is one of the state's premier steelhead tributaries — strong spring runs of lake-run rainbow trout (steelhead) and fall runs of coho salmon, with native brook trout above the first waterfall barrier. The Minnesota DNR steelhead program is centered here. Split regulations: above the first waterfall is standard inland trout water; below the falls to Lake Superior is steelhead/salmon water with its own seasonal rules.

Blue-Winged OliveCaddisSteelhead runsPink salmonCoho salmon

Regulations

SPLIT REGULATIONS — above the first waterfall from Lake Superior: standard MN inland trout regulations. Below the falls to Lake Superior: steelhead/salmon regulations, may be open year-round per MN DNR North Shore tributary rules. Pink salmon return on odd years only — next run is 2027. Minnesota fishing license required ($25 resident annual) + $10.75 trout stamp; trout stamp also required for steelhead and salmon on North Shore tributaries. Verify all section-by-section closures and seasonal dates on the MN DNR North Shore tributary page before fishing.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Knife River with more confidence.