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Fishing Bitterroot River: what the data says
Hamilton to Missoula The river tops out around 6 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Bitterroot River
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 6 ft. Current seam (mile 2.5) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring rainbow trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 1 to 6 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Northern Pike fishing at Bitterroot River
Spring northern pike on Bitterroot River hold shallow, usually 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Inside bend (mile 38.2) is the standout, a point at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for fall northern pike. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Brown Trout fishing at Bitterroot River
Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 6 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 2.5): a current seam around 3 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and early morning. A spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 1 to 6 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 6 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.2): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.0): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 12.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.0): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 20.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 24.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 27.1): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.1): creek channel, around 5 ft
Common questions
How deep is Bitterroot River?
Bitterroot River is about 6 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Bitterroot River?
Anglers target northern pike, rainbow trout, brown trout on Bitterroot River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Bitterroot River?
Current seam (mile 2.5) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Bitterroot River?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Frenchtown Pond · Farmers Lake #5 · Farmers Lake #6 · McKinley Lake · Glacier Lake · Big Lake
See how Bitterroot River stacks up: best northern pike lakes in Montana · best rainbow trout lakes in Montana · best brown trout lakes in Montana
Browse all Montana fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.