It’s a fishing day

Bitterroot River fishing conditions · Montana

Now until tomorrow 8 pmCutthroat trout

The bite peaks at 70.

Log a trip here
Right now: 68 for cutthroat trout, marginal · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Cutthroat trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 682 pm
  2. 68
  3. 68
  4. 705 pm
  5. 68
  6. 68
  7. 688 pm
  8. 68
  9. 68
  10. 6811 pm
  11. 68Sun
  12. 68
  13. 682 am
  14. 68
  15. 68
  16. 685 am
  17. 68
  18. 68
  19. 688 am
  20. 68
  21. 68
  22. 6811 am
  23. 68
  24. 68
  25. 682 pm
  26. 68
  27. 68
  28. 685 pm
  29. 68
  30. 68
  31. 608 pm
  32. 60
  33. 60
  34. 5811 pm
  35. 58Mon
  36. 58
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
No reading

Cutthroat trout range 39–62°

Wind
2 mph

From the east-northeast

Light
Daylight

Sunset 5:13 pm

Sky
Mostly Sunny

No rain expected

Air
57°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Montana Western District regulations for these waters.

Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

70Worth the tripNow until tomorrow 8 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Cutthroat trout bite in 39–62° water, best near 54°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 1–25 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. Catch-and-release for all trout, artificial lures only, in the general season. The Dec 1 extended season is catch-and-release for trout as well, with artificial lures, maggots or aquatic insects only.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Bitterroot River, Woodside Bridge FAS to Florence Bridge

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Sep–Jun. More on cutthroat trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

35Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Rainbow trout is here Apr–May, Oct. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. Catch-and-release for all trout, artificial lures only, in the general season. The Dec 1 extended season is catch-and-release for trout as well, with artificial lures, maggots or aquatic insects only.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Bitterroot River, Woodside Bridge FAS to Florence Bridge

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–May, Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on rainbow trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

35Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Brown trout is here Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. Catch-and-release for all trout, artificial lures only, in the general season. The Dec 1 extended season is catch-and-release for trout as well, with artificial lures, maggots or aquatic insects only.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Bitterroot River, Woodside Bridge FAS to Florence Bridge

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer30.18 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today5:13 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow7:28 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:40 pm–4:40 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 10:30 pm–12:30 am
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 6:50 am–7:50 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Montana FWP has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: Montana FWP · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

A classic western-Montana freestone south of Missoula — wild rainbow, brown, and native westslope cutthroat trout in braided channels beneath the Bitterroot Range. Famous for the early-season skwala stonefly hatch and a long dry-fly season.

Woodside Bridge FAS to Florence Bridge: catch-and-release for all trout, artificial lures only. On the main stem above and below that reach rainbows and browns may be kept (3 a day, 1 over 14") while cutthroat are released. Dec 1 to the third Saturday in May the whole river is catch-and-release for trout.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Bitterroot River?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Bitterroot River you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Bitterroot River?

Bitterroot River is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Bitterroot River?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Bitterroot River against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Bitterroot River have?

Bitterroot River has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Woodside Bridge FAS to Florence Bridge: catch-and-release for all trout, artificial lures only. On the main stem above and below that reach rainbows and browns may be kept (3 a day, 1 over 14") while cutthroat are released. Dec 1 to the third Saturday in May the whole river is catch-and-release for trout.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Bitterroot River?

state agency regulations apply at Bitterroot River. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Bitterroot River tidal water?

No. Bitterroot River is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.