Bitterroot River

Type: Freestone river, Montana (West)
Designation: Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey) · Special-regulation trout water
USGS gauges: 1 live
Guides: 13 name it
Shops: 6 nearby

Today on the Bitterroot River

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

No water temperature here.

Flow now: 908 ft³/s
Vs normal for Nov 5: Normal
Trend: Steady over 24 h
Last reading: Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST

At Bitterroot River near Missoula MT (USGS 12352500) Provisional USGS data

The Bitterroot River is a freestone river in Montana, listed as Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey) by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

More about the Bitterroot River

1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks lists 18 species, including black bullhead, brook trout and brown trout. 14 guides and 6 shops nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Missoula.

Updated 5 Nov 2026 · Sources: Montana's most-fished waters (FWP statewide angling pressure estimates, 2023 license year, top 250 by state rank), FISHMT :: Waterbody Details, USGS Water Data

The Bitterroot River below forested mountains and a cloudy sky, seen from Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge — Photo credit
The Bitterroot River from Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville. Photo: John David Stutts, CC BY 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it is

Bitterroot River is a freestone river in Montana. Our destination hub Missoula is 4 mi away in a straight line and lists it among its waters.

Flow now at the gauge

Bitterroot River near Missoula MT

USGS 12352500 · NWS BITM8

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

Flow 908 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 43 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
Below NWS action stage (official NWS category). That is not a statement that wading is safe. National Weather Service

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 908 ft³/s
Gauge height: 3.36 ft

Reading Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST · provisional USGS data

Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 908 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST	908	3.36
Nov 5, 2:00 PM MST	908	3.36
Nov 5, 1:00 PM MST	908	3.36
Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 10:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 9:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 8:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 7:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 6:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 5:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 5, 4:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 3:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 2:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 1:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 5, 12:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 4, 11:00 PM MST	925	3.38
Nov 4, 10:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 9:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 8:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 7:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 6:00 PM MST	934	3.39
Nov 4, 5:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 4:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 3:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 2:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 1:00 PM MST	942	3.4
Nov 4, 12:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 11:00 AM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 10:00 AM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 9:00 AM MST	951	3.41
Nov 4, 8:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 7:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 6:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 5:00 AM MST	960	3.42
Nov 4, 4:00 AM MST	969	3.43
Nov 4, 3:00 AM MST	969	3.43
Nov 4, 2:00 AM MST	969	3.43
Nov 4, 1:00 AM MST	978	3.44
Nov 4, 12:00 AM MST	978	3.44
Nov 3, 11:00 PM MST	978	3.44
Nov 3, 10:00 PM MST	986	3.45
Nov 3, 9:00 PM MST	986	3.45
Nov 3, 8:00 PM MST	995	3.46
Nov 3, 7:00 PM MST	995	3.46
Nov 3, 6:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 5:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 4:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 3:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 2:00 PM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 3, 1:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 12:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 11:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 10:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 9:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 8:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 7:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 6:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 5:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 4:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 3:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 2:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 1:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 3, 12:00 AM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 11:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 10:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 9:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 8:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 7:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 6:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 5:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 4:00 PM MST	1,020	3.49
Nov 2, 3:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 2:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 1:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 12:00 PM MST	1,010	3.48
Nov 2, 11:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 10:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 9:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 8:00 AM MST	1,000	3.47
Nov 2, 7:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 6:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 5:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 4:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 3:00 AM MST	995	3.46
Nov 2, 2:00 AM MST	986	3.45
Nov 2, 1:00 AM MST	986	3.45
Nov 2, 12:00 AM MST	986	3.45
Nov 1, 11:00 PM MST	978	3.44
Nov 1, 10:00 PM MST	978	3.44
Nov 1, 9:00 PM MST	969	3.43
Nov 1, 8:00 PM MST	969	3.43
Nov 1, 7:00 PM MST	960	3.42
Nov 1, 6:00 PM MST	960	3.42
Nov 1, 5:00 PM MST	960	3.42
Nov 1, 4:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 3:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 2:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 1:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 12:00 PM MST	951	3.41
Nov 1, 11:00 AM MST	942	3.4
Nov 1, 10:00 AM MST	934	3.39
Nov 1, 9:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 8:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 7:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 6:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 5:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 4:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 3:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 2:00 AM MST	916	3.37
Nov 1, 1:00 AM MST	925	3.38
Nov 1, 1:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Nov 1, 12:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 11:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 10:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 9:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 8:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 7:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 6:00 PM MDT	916	3.37
Oct 31, 5:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 4:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 3:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 2:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 1:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 12:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 11:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 10:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 9:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 8:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 7:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 6:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 5:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 4:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 3:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 2:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 1:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 31, 12:00 AM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 11:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 10:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 9:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 8:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 7:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 6:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 5:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 4:00 PM MDT	925	3.38
Oct 30, 3:00 PM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 2:00 PM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 1:00 PM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 12:00 PM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 11:00 AM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 10:00 AM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 9:00 AM MDT	934	3.39
Oct 30, 8:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 7:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 6:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 5:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 4:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 3:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 2:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 1:00 AM MDT	942	3.4
Oct 30, 12:00 AM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 11:00 PM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 9:00 PM MDT	951	3.41
Oct 29, 8:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 7:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 6:00 PM MDT	960	3.42
Oct 29, 5:15 PM MDT	960	3.42

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 842–1,310 ft³/s (middle half of 43 years of record). Now: 908 ft³/s, normal.

Normal for this date. 908 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 43 years of record: 10th 696, 25th 842, median 1,040, 75th 1,310, 90th 1,620 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 615 ft³/s, highest 1,870 ft³/s.

Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).

Steady over 24 hours (−3.6% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 3.37 ft stage, 916 ft³/s at Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST (NWS gauge BITM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 10 ft
Minor flood: 11 ft
Moderate flood: 13 ft
Major flood: 15 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 7:53 AM MST. Highest point: 3.36 ft, 908 ft³/s on Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	3.36 ft	908 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	3.35 ft	899 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	3.32 ft	874 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	3.3 ft	857 ft³/s
Mon, Nov 9	3.3 ft	857 ft³/s
Tue, Nov 10	3.3 ft	857 ft³/s
Wed, Nov 11	3.28 ft	840 ft³/s
Thu, Nov 12	3.28 ft	840 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 13	3.28 ft	840 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 14	3.27 ft	832 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Montana FWP uses are 66°F, 68°F and 73°F.

Species

Species the agency lists for Bitterroot River: Black Bullhead, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Bull Trout, Largemouth Bass, Largescale Sucker, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Northern Pike Minnow, Peamouth, Pumpkinseed, Rainbow Trout, Redside Shiner, Slimy Sculpin, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Yellow Perch.

Source: FISHMT :: Waterbody Details (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks).

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

Checked Nov 5, 4:11 PM MST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.

Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow Bitterroot River for flow alerts

Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.

Follow this water

Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.

Where to fish

Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Montana FWP fishing access sites

Bitterroot River on the map

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Restrooms Access map

Map of Bitterroot River with 1 USGS gauge, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Bitterroot River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Bitterroot River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.

Skip the map; every place is in the list below

Map of 6 restrooms near Bitterroot River, numbered as in the list, with the water’s point marked.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restroom
0.9 mi away in a straight line
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
Directions
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
0.9 mi away in a straight line
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
Directions
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
1.0 mi away in a straight line
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
Directions
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
1.0 mi away in a straight line
- Public (mapped)
- Wheelchair accessible (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
Directions
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
1.1 mi away in a straight line
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
Directions
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
1.1 mi away in a straight line
- Wheelchair accessible (mapped)
- Changing table (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
Directions
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map

Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.

More water near Bitterroot River

Running well now
Photo credit
The Clark Fork in Missoula, Montana. Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Clark Fork River
Montana · about 7 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
1,620cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Running well now
Photo credit
The lower Blackfoot River east of Missoula. Photo: Bureau of Land Management, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Blackfoot River
Montana · about 15 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
648cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
Photo credit
Rock Creek on the Missoula Ranger District, Lolo National Forest. Photo: USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Rock Creek
Montana · about 19 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
286cfsFlow now · above normal for the date
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lolo Creek
Photo credit
The Flathead River from the bank at Columbia Falls, Montana. Photo: Mitchell O'Brien, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lolo Creek.
Lolo Creek
Montana · about 14 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Frenchtown Pond
Photo credit
Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Frenchtown Pond.
Frenchtown Pond
Montana · about 16 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Jocko River
Photo credit
The Missouri River by the Craig Frontage Road, north of Helena (1991). Photo: Lankyrider, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Jocko River.
Jocko River
Montana · about 25 mi

Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
Photo credit
The Clark Fork in Missoula, Montana. Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Clark Fork River
Montana · about 7 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
Photo credit
The lower Blackfoot River east of Missoula. Photo: Bureau of Land Management, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Blackfoot River
Montana · about 15 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
Photo credit
Rock Creek on the Missoula Ranger District, Lolo National Forest. Photo: USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Rock Creek
Montana · about 19 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Lolo Creek
Photo credit
The Flathead River from the bank at Columbia Falls, Montana. Photo: Mitchell O'Brien, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lolo Creek.
Lolo Creek
Montana · about 14 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Frenchtown Pond
Photo credit
Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Frenchtown Pond.
Frenchtown Pond
Montana · about 16 mi
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Representative photo · not Jocko River
Photo credit
The Missouri River by the Craig Frontage Road, north of Helena (1991). Photo: Lankyrider, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Jocko River.
Jocko River
Montana · about 25 mi

Regulations

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

2 official designations

Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout, bass.

Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)
On the Montana's most-fished waters (FWP statewide angling pressure estimates, 2023 license year, top 250 by state rank) list (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, read 2026-11-05). All waters with this designation
- Section 02: state rank 7, 73,018 angler days (2023)
- Section 01: state rank 18, 42,480 angler days (2023)
Special-regulation trout water
On the District Exceptions to Standard Regulations (trout / gear rules) list (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, read 2026-11-05). All waters with this designation

Public land along it

Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Bell Crossing Fishing Access SiteState Fish and Wildlife
Tucker Crossing Fishing Access SiteState Fish and Wildlife
Bitterroot National ForestForest Service
Blodgett ParkCounty Land

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Bitterroot River

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

13 guides name it on their website

Guides

Montana Trout Outfitters
Missoula, MT · 1 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Names this water
View guide
Missoula Guided Fly Fishing
Missoula, MT · 3 mi
Float trips · Lodge packages · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Names this water
View guide
MF
Montana Fishing Company
Missoula, MT · 3 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Madison & Gallatin
- Unclaimed
Names this water
View guide
Clear Creek Outfitters
Missoula, MT · 4 mi
Beginners & lessons · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Names this water
View guide
R R 406 Fly Fishing Guides
Missoula, MT · 9 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Names this water
View guide
MR
Montana Rivers and Ridges Outfitter
Stevensville, MT · 19 mi
Float trips · Beginners & lessons · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Names this water
View guide
John Perry's Montana Fly Fishing
Clinton, MT · 20 mi
Beginners & lessons · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Names this water
View guide
Osprey Outfitters Fishing Guide Service
Hamilton, MT · 39 mi
Blackfoot & Clark Fork
- Unclaimed
Names this water
View guide

All Montana guides

6 shops nearby

The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop
Missoula, MT · 3 mi
Fly shop · Guided trips · Lodging
- Unclaimed
View shop
Blackfoot River Outfitters
Missoula, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips · Fly tying classes
- Unclaimed
View shop
Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop
Missoula, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips · Lodging
- Unclaimed
View shop
Kingfisher Fly Shop
Missoula, MT
Fly shop
- Unclaimed
View shop
Mount Flyfishing Connection
Missoula, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips · Float trips
- Unclaimed
View shop
Renegade Fly Fishing Outfitters
Missoula, MT
Fly shop · Guided trips · Float trips
- Unclaimed
View shop

All Montana shops

Species and hatches

The species the agency lists here; presence varies by reach and season.

Listed by the state agency

Rainbow trout
Species guide
Photo credit
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brown trout
Species guide
Photo credit
Brown trout (Salmo trutta), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service illustration. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brook trout
Species guide
Photo credit
Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Cutthroat trout
Species guide
Photo credit
Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), photographed by James E. Johnson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: James E. Johnson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bull trout
Species guide
Photo credit
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), photographed by Bart Gammet for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Bart Gammet, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Largemouth bass
Species guide
Photo credit
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern pike
Species guide
Photo credit
Northern pike (Esox lucius), illustration by Timothy Knepp for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Timothy Knepp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Panfish
Species guide
Photo credit
A bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), photographed by Ryan Hagerty for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Black Bullhead
Largescale Sucker
Longnose Dace
Longnose Sucker
Mountain Whitefish
Northern Pike Minnow
Peamouth
Redside Shiner
Slimy Sculpin

And 2 more on the agency page.

When the bugs come off

Regional hatch months: Northern Rockies

5 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

January: no charted hatch
February: no charted hatch
March: no charted hatch
April: no charted hatch
May: 3 charted hatches
June: 2 charted hatches
July: 2 charted hatches
August: 1 charted hatch
September: 1 charted hatch
October: no charted hatch
November: no charted hatch
December: no charted hatch

Mother's Day caddis (Grannom) (May) · Salmonfly (May to June) · Salmonfly (May to July) · Salmonfly (July) · Trico (August to September)

Northern Rockies hatch chart

Plan your stay

Getting there

MSO · Missoula · 6 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
BTM · Butte · 96 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
GEG · Spokane · 172 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)

About this

Miles are straight-line distances, not drive times.
Airports: scheduled passenger service, from OurAirports (public domain) (2026-11-04).
Lodges are listed when their own website talks about fishing. Prices and availability are the lodge's own.

Missoula

Missoula sits where the Clark Fork, Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers meet in western Montana, with Rock Creek to the east.

Destination hub · 4 mi away in a straight line

Open the hub Plan a trip here

Fish these abroad

Matched on the fish the agencies list for both waters first, then the same water type, an official designation or flagship listing on both, and a similar mapped size where USGS hydrography covers both.

At most two waters per country. A shared fish is a listing, not a promise: presence varies by reach and season.

Like the Bitterroot River? Same fish, overseas.

Flagship water
Photo credit
The Tongariro River from the Tree Trunk Gorge track. Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Tongariro River
Waikato, New Zealand
Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river
Flagship water
Photo credit
Daybreak on the Nipigon River. Photo: Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nipigon River
Ontario, Canada
Same fish: brook trout & northern pike · also a freestone river
Freestone river
Photo credit
The Sava Dolinka below the confluence with Beli potok. Photo: Savinjc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sava Dolinka
Gorenjska, Slovenia
Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river
Flagship water
Photo credit
The Clutha River / Mata-Au at Albert Town, near the Hāwea confluence. Photo: Photo by Lewis: Verduyn-Cassels, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Upper Clutha River / Mata-Au
Otago, New Zealand
Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river
Freestone river
Photo credit
The Credit River at Streetsville. Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Credit River
Ontario, Canada
Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a freestone river
Flagship water
Photo credit
The River Moy at Banada Priory. Photo: Andreas F. Borchert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
River Moy
Mayo, Ireland
Same fish: brown trout · also a freestone river

Fish it when it's winter here

Southern seasons open while ours close.

Flagship water
Photo credit
Lake Taupō. Photo: Ériugena, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lake Taupō
Waikato, New Zealand
Season open all year · DOC
Flagship water
Photo credit
Penstock Lagoon, Central Highlands, Tasmania. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Penstock Lagoon
Tasmania, Australia
Season open Aug–May · Inland Fisheries Service
Tailwater
Photo credit
The Río Limay, Argentina. Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Río Limay
Río Negro, Argentina
Season open Nov–May · Patagonian fishing regulation
Freestone riverRepresentative photo · not Río Petrohué
Photo credit
The Río Puelo at Las Gualas, Cochamó. Photo: Nicolás from seno de reloncaví, Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Petrohué.
Río Petrohué
Los Lagos, Chile
Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA
Lake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Lago Llanquihue
Photo credit
The Río Simpson passing Coyhaique, Aysén. Photo: Manxuc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lago Llanquihue.
Lago Llanquihue
Los Lagos, Chile
Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA
Lake or reservoir
Photo credit
Lago Nahuel Huapi from Llao Llao. Photo: David, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lago Nahuel Huapi
Río Negro, Argentina
Season open Oct–May · Patagonian fishing regulation
Flagship waterRepresentative photo · not Mataura River
Photo credit
The Oreti River near Lumsden, Southland. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mataura River.
Mataura River
Southland, New Zealand
Season open Oct–Apr · Fish & Game NZ
Flagship water
Photo credit
Great Lake, Tasmania. Photo: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yingina / Great Lake
Tasmania, Australia
Season open all year · Inland Fisheries Service

Gear checklist

A wade-fishing checklist for big western trout rivers: a 9 ft 5–6 weight outfit, nymph, dry and streamer setups, waders, boots and a wading staff, with estimated prices by tier and where to buy.

A woman in waders and a sun hat wades a broad river and casts, bluffs on the far bank

Big western rivers (wade fishing)

9′ rod, 5–6 weight, floating line · Rainbow and brown trout, whitefish

Open the checklist

Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on reading water

Watch: nymphing basics

Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on nymphing

Fish Tales

Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Bitterroot River.

No stories from here yet.

Write the first story Share your day

Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

Something wrong?

All 17 sources and dates

A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.

Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge Bitterroot River near Missoula MT. Water type is our own classification.

Bitterroot River