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Montana Fishing Guide

Bitterroot River Red Ribbon Stream

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:
Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout
All Species Present:
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Bull Trout, Cutthroat 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
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. Until you identify your catch, please handle all fish carefully. Thank you.

Fishing Regulations

View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.

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.


Fishing Pressure
Mouth to Big Creek   (River Mile: 0 to 38)
Year Days Fished¹ Trips² State Rank³ Regional Rank³
2007 25,324 384 20 4
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
2007 47,164 679 8 2
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.
 
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

Please send us your comments or questions about the Montana Fishing Guide.

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