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:

73

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the upper Bitterroot River - from the confluence of the East and West Forks to Veterans Bridge at Hamilton starting July 11. Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the lower Bitterroot River - from Veterans Bridge at Hamilton to the confluence with the Clark Fork River starting July 15.

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 7/25/25

We’re looking at a warm, mostly sunny week with highs starting around 90°F Friday and cooling into the upper 80s through midweek. Evenings and overnights will dip into the low‑to‑mid‑50s, which helps cool river temps and makes early mornings ideal for fishing. A couple of afternoon thunderstorms are possible late week, but flows should stay steady and visibility high. Remember to make the most of the first 3‑4 hours of daylight—that’s when the water’s coolest and the trout are most active. *There are currently MANY obstructions on the Bitterroot. When In Doubt, Eddy Out! As always, we want anglers to know that they are responsible for their own wellbeing when they are on the water. As an outfitter, we will try our best to bring known dangers to light, but conditions and obstructions are always changing and we can't possibly keep up with every danger that may present itself. When in doubt, eddy out and walk downstream to get a good look at what you're dealing with!

Techniques & Tips as of 7/25/25

The river is especially low and warm for this time of year. Focus your dry fly fishing on the riffles and dry dropper fishing in the deeper runs. Avoid slow, deep water. Some spruce moths up top. Hoppers are active, and the hopper bite should improve in the coming weeks. Tricos are starting. Fish the coldest hours of the day- on early, and off early.

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 #10-12
Indicator Spinner - Trico N/A #18-20
Sparkle Dun N/A #16-18
Parachute Pheasant Tail N/A #14-18
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
Plan B N/A #8-10
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:

Nocturnal Stones, Spruce Moths, Tricos. A few Sallies and PMDs.

Best Time to Fish:

Early AM

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.