Montana Fishing Reports ยท Western Region
From Stevensville to Missoula, the lower Bitterroot braids through the valley with cottonwood banks, browns and rainbows.
Looking for the latest Lower Bitterroot River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Bitterroot River โ Stevensville to Missoula.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Lower Bitterroot River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge near Missoula reads around 870 cfs and clear.
BWOs on cloudy afternoons, and streamers along the logjams for browns.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Stevensville to Missoula, bring: JuJu Baetis #18-20, Parachute Adams #16-20, Woolly Bugger #6-8, Pat', s Rubber Legs #8-10, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Lower Bitterroot River details
| Access | Fishing access sites along US-93 near Stevensville, Florence and Lolo. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 3,200 ft |
| Nearest town | Stevensville, Montana |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
| Fish | Brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout |
| Regulations | Montana's stream regulations vary by district and river. Check Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulations for the current rules. A Montana fishing license is required for anglers 12 and older. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet |
| Camping | Camping near Lolo and Stevensville |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | Logjams shift every year. Watch for wood when floating. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Cold.
Spring
Skwalas.
Summer
Caddis and hoppers.
Fall
BWOs and browns.
How to get there
From Missoula, take US-93 south to Lolo, Florence and Stevensville.