Yaak River Overview Below Map
See also...
Regional Fly Shops and Guide Service
The Yaak River
is a fair-sized tributary of the Kootenai River, which enters at the Yaak
Campground. The Yaak River splits the campground, which provides good access to
both rivers as well as a boat launch. It has two distinct types of water. Below
the falls by the Yaak Falls Campground (non-fee), the river quickly drops in
elevation, which provides lots of holding water down through a steep canyon
gorge. A haven to some big bull trout, the canyon is difficult to access, and
much of it is posted. After a long hike down the canyon during a heat spell, I
caught a few fish in the 12-inch range, but most of the ones I caught were 8 to
10, which is more typical of the river in general. Good water may be found
above the falls, but a good portion of it flattens out and heats up during
summer. Above and below the town of Yaak, the river looks like a slough, and
most of it runs through private property. This valley section is home to a lot
of brookies, rainbows and a few small cutthroats. The Yaak Falls Campground
offers seven campsites, toilets, and is a non-fee area. It offers a great
swimming hole, if you are hot and driving through the area.
