The Russell Fork River is full of mean, native smallmouth bass that make their homes in the eddies and pools below major rapids and waterfalls. Smallmouth are found in all sections of river within the park, but numbers and size increase on the lower half of the canyon nearing the Kentucky border. Smallmouth over 20” are caught by fly and spin anglers on a regular basis.

One thing is for sure if you want to fish the Russell Fork within the Breaks Canyon, you’ll work for it every step of the way. The Breaks Canyon floor is an inhospitable place full of house sized boulders and cliff walls. The river is particularly hard to wade, due to its extremely slippery rocks and sudden drop offs. Felt or steel studded wading boots and a wading staff are a must. 

Anglers can access the river from the Garden Hole Access, The Ratliff Hole Access, The Grassy Creek Trail, or the Camp Branch Trail within the park.

Below you will find a link to USGS Russell Fork Flow gauge, do not attempt to wade if the river is running over 300cfs on the Haysi or Bartlick gauge.

The Russell Fork within park boundaries is not floatable unless you have extreme whitewater paddling skills. Wading and bank fishing (or boulder hopping) is the best method to fish within the Breaks Canyon. There are flat sections of river at the Garden Hole and Ratliff Hole sections suitable for fishing kayaks and canoes, but be warned, extreme rapids lay at the end of these quiet pools.  Please stay in the flatwater sections, many anglers and kayakers have drowned on the river.