Fishing Season: Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

Bitterroot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

60

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

The Bitterroot is still fishing well. Riffle edges, tailouts, and soft bank seams are loaded with feeding fish. Golden Stones and PMDs are the hatches that are happening on the entire river. The high elevation snow has started to melt so the Root had a jump in flows but should turn around and fish well after it levels out. Log jams and debris are still a major hazard especially with the watering dropping as fast as it is, so floaters need to stay alert. Float cautiously!

Directions open in app

Map of Bitterroot River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blackfoot River Outfitters
Blue Damsel Lodge
Montana Hunting and Fishing Adventures
Triple Creek Ranch

5-Day Outlook as of 6/19/26

The Bitterroot valley will see temps in the 70s over the weekend with a mix of sunshine and cloud cover. Next week temps will stay in the high 70s and may hit the 80s with sun and clouds.

Techniques & Tips as of 6/19/26

A dry-dropper setups are the best approach on the Root. Hit the banks and the woody structure with a Chubby Chernobyl, Plan B and a Golden Juicy Stone. Trailing a Frenchie, Copper Top Duracell, Jig TNT PMD or a TJ Hooker. PMDs are also hatching so be on the look out for fishing, eating in the foam lines and the slower water. Streamer fishing is also a great option. Strip something flashy like a Kreelex, Sparkle Minnow or a Goldie.

Local Species Available Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

  • Fish Icon

    Trout - rainbows

  • Fish Icon

    browns and cutties - whitefish

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Stimulator N/A #10-14
Elk Wing Caddis N/A #12-16
Adam's Purple Parachute N/A #12-14
Fly Formerly Known As Prince N/A #12-14
TJ Hooker N/A #08-12
Sparkle Minnow N/A #04-08
Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph N/A #12-16
Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail N/A #14-18
Kreelex N/A #6

Stimulator

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Item #0928

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Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Bitterroot River

The panoramic mountains of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness towering above this river make for an unforgettable setting. The Bitterroot affords anglers over 80 miles of varied freestone trout water ranging from riffles and runs to undercuts and deadfalls. This river's largest fish often rise to dry flies even in non-hatch conditions. One of our guides claims that "If you catch a fish on the Bitterroot, you could have caught it with a dry fly!" This probably isn't far from the truth in light of our fishing dries here 90% of the time (often with an additional bead head dropper). Renowned hatches of stone and may flies are in full force by March, providing the state's best early season surface action and Bitterroot river fish tend to look up for the rest of the season. Expect to catch native westslope cutthroat, rainbows and browns on any outing.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Hatches:

Goldenstones and PMDs

Best Time to Fish:

Mid Morning through the evening

Best Stretch:

Most of the river is looking good. Keep an eye out for potential jams and portages.

Best Access:

Multiple fishing access sites throughout the river.