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:

62

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

The Root is fishing well with the cooler temps. Fish are stacked tight against grassy banks, overhanging sweepers, and deep riffle edges waiting for hoppers, ants, and beetles to drop off the banks. Be on the lookout for fish rising in the flats eating tricos.

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 9/11/26

The Bitterroot valley this weekend will have temps in the 60s this weekend with a mix of sunshine and clouds. The rest of the week will have temps in the 60s with sunshine and clouds.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/11/26

A dry dropper is your best option to get fish to eat. Throwing a Hopper, Water Walker, or Chubby Chernobyl tight against the grassy banks, and a Blowtorch, Frenchie, or Jigged PT 18 to 24 inches below is the best bet to get a fish to eat. For technical fish sipping along slow bank seams at first light, present a single low-profile Cinnamon Ant or Beetle. Be on the lookout for tricos on the lower end of the river. Stripping some streamers is also a great option right now with the cooler weather.

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
Bead Head Hare’s Ear Nymph N/A #12-16
Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail N/A #14-18
TJ Hooker N/A #08-12
Sparkle Minnow N/A #04-08
Kreelex N/A #6

Stimulator

This attractor dry fly is great for imitating stoneflies and caddis.

3.99

Item #0928

Buy Now

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:

Terrestrials

Best Time to Fish:

Morning

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.