Bitterroot River

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Field Guide (PDF 5.23 MB)
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Map of Blue & Red Ribbon Streams (PDF)
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Related Information

Montana Fishing Guide

Tributary of Clark Fork River.
(River Mile: 0 to 84)
Launch Interactive Map

Total Length: 84 miles
FWP Region: Region 2
Fishing District: Western Fishing District

Species Present

Game Fish Opportunities:: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout
All Species Present:: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Largescale Sucker, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike Minnow, Peamouth, Rainbow Trout, Redside Shiner, Slimy Sculpin, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Cutthroat Trout

NOTE: There may be game fish present (including Species of Concern) that are not listed in the game fish category due to low numbers for that fish or special regulations. Until you identify your catch, please handle all fish carefully. Thank you.

Fishing Regulations

Standard Fishing Regulations for the Western Fishing District: The standard fishing regulations for the fishing district(s) apply. Please check your copy of the regulations, or visit the site(s) linked above for more information.

Exceptions to Standard Regulations

Ditches, Canals And Sloughs Between US 93 And East Side Highway, And Between Hamilton And The Florence Bridge: Regulations are the same as the adjacent river section.
Bitterroot River To The Mouth, West Fork Bitterroot River Downstream From Painted Rocks Dam, And East Fork Bitterroot River Downstream From Star Falls: Extended season for northern pike and whitefish and catch-and-release for trout open December 1 to third Saturday in May with aquatic insects, maggots and/or artificial lures only.
West Fork Bitterroot River Above Painted Rocks Reservoir: Catch-and release for cutthroat trout.
Painted Rocks Dam To Mouth Of West Fork Bitterroot River: Combined Trout Limit: 3 rainbow or brown trout daily and in possession.; Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout.
One Mile Downstream Of Darby Bridge To Star Falls On The East Fork: Combined Trout: 3 rainbow or brown trout daily and in possession, only 1 over 14 inches.; Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout.
One Mile Downstream From Darby To Como Bridge: Catch-and-release for all trout.; Artificial lures only.
Como Bridge To Tucker Crossing: Combined Trout: 3 rainbow or brown trout daily and in possession, only 1 over 14 inches.; Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout.
Tucker Crossing To Florence Bridge: Catch-and-release for all trout.; Artificial lures only.
Florence Bridge To Mouth Of Bitterroot River: Combined Trout: 3 rainbow or brown trout daily and in possession, only 1 over 14 inches.; Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout.

Boating Regulations

Standard Boating Regulations for the State of Montana

Exceptions to Standard Boating Regulations for Bitterroot River

Regulation	Description & Exceptions
Closed to all motorboats	From its headwaters to its confluence with the Clark Fork River. Exception: (1) Any motorized craft may be used from May 1 through June 30 on the Bitterroot River from the Florence Bridge in Ravalli County downstream to the Clark Fork River. (2) Motorize craft of 15 hp or less may operate anywhere on the Bitterroot river from October 1 through January 31.

Fishing Access Sites

Forest Cooper River Mile: 82: Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 3 acre(s).
Hannon Memorial River Mile: 82: Two areas - one is day use only and the other has 6 campsites. Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 47 acre(s).
Darby Bridge River Mile: 78: Open all season. 4 acre(s).
Wally Crawford River Mile: 72: Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 2 acre(s).
Angler's Roost River Mile: 62: Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.
Demmons River Mile: 57: Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 1 acre(s).
Woodside Bridge River Mile: 52: Disabled fishing platform. Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 11 acre(s).
Tucker Crossing River Mile: 47: Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 251 acre(s).
Bell Crossing River Mile: 41: Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 65 acre(s).
Bass Creek River Mile: 30: Walk-in access only. Hand launching of boats is not recommended. Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 23 acre(s).
Poker Joe River Mile: 28: Site is walk-in access only. Canoes/rafts can be hand launched from site. Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 12 acre(s).
Florence Bridge River Mile: 23: Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 9 acre(s).
Chief Looking Glass River Mile: 21: Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates. 13 acre(s).

NOTE: All river Fishing Access Sites (FAS) are listed in descending order by river mile from headwaters to mouth. The mouth of a stream is its confluence with another body of water and is considered mile 0. Click here to learn more.

Fishing Pressure

Mouth to Big Creek (River Mile: 0 to 38)

Year	Days Fished¹	Trips²	State Rank³	Regional Rank³
2005	39,602	698	15	4
2003	33,851	706	16	4
2001	38,980	733	12	4
1999	40,364	916	16	4

Big Creek to Headwaters (River Mile: 38 to 84)

Year	Days Fished¹	Trips²	State Rank³	Regional Rank³
2005	74,098	1,254	4	1
2003	58,299	1,214	8	3
2001	65,164	1,231	6	1
1999	70,567	1,589	5	1

¹ Estimated yearly fishing use in angler days (one angler fishing one body of water in one day for any amount of time).
² The number of times that a section of water was reported as having been fished (used to estimate the number of "Days Fished").
³ How this section of water ranked among all surveyed sections in the state or region, based on "Days Fished" in a survey year.

¹ Estimated yearly fishing use in angler days (one angler fishing one body of water in one day for any amount of time).

² The number of times that a section of water was reported as having been fished (used to estimate the number of "Days Fished").

³ How this section of water ranked among all surveyed sections in the state or region, based on "Days Fished" in a survey year.

Gauging Stations

Bitterroot River near Darby MT: View Data | River Mile: 82
Bitterroot River near Florence MT: View Data | River Mile: 23
Bitterroot River near Missoula MT: View Data | River Mile: 6

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