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 41 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↑ Rising

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

28.66 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

45°FClear sky

Wind 10 mph28.66 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

☀️

Clear sky

62° / 32°

Tomorrow

☁️

Overcast

65° / 44°

Mon

☁️

Overcast

55° / 40°

Tue

🌤️

Mainly clear

60° / 40°

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

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

What should I pack?

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

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Knife River · October · Fall

Full calendar →

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

Select month

JanDec

BWOs (size 18-20). FALL STEELHEAD beginning. FALL COHO SALMON active on lower river. Brook trout spawning — RESPECT REDDS.

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.