Some of the callers were obviously concerned, and some have expressed surprise to find rattlesnakes in the area. But southwestern Montana – particularly in the Clark Fork, Bitterroot and lower Flathead river valleys – and the area east of the Continental Divide have always been home to prairie rattlesnakes.
Table of Contents
Is the Bitterroot River good for fishing?
All along its length, the Bitterroot is full of a variety of trout and other fish that have made it one of the best fly fishing river in Western Montana. All along the length of this scenic river– and through more than half of the year– one can catch plenty of cutthroat trout, rainbow trout or brown trout.
Where can I fish on the Bitterroot River?
During the middle of summer, fishing is best during the morning and evening hours—since this is when most hatches occur and because the water is cooler. The best dry fly fishing in the middle of the summer is found on the upper portion of the Bitterroot River, between Hannon Memorial FAS and Wallace Crawford FAS.
What kind of fish are in the Bitterroot River Montana?
Montana’s Bitterroot River is home to a variety of fish, including rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, bull trout and even brown trout. And while you may hook a mountain whitefish or pike on occasion, most of the fish you’ll land on the river are trout.
How deep is the Bitterroot River?
Once you’ve gone south to Florence Bridge and above, the average depth of the Bitterroot is about three feet. This is on a western Montana trout river that can be over 125 feet wide in places. The upshot of all this is you have a river that wades much like a small stream, with all the characteristics of a big river.
What is the best month to fish in Montana?
- Late April to Early July. The fishing varies greatly from week to week in this dynamic time of year as water levels and temperatures are rising and falling and hatches are changing by the week.
- Mid July until early September.
- September and October.
Are there grizzly bears in the Bitterroot Valley?
Although grizzly bears don’t inhabit the Bitterroot Valley in numbers like they do in many other parts of western Montana, grizzlies are dispersing into more places. Activity in the Bitterroot Valley has steadily increased over the past 10 years.
What is the best fishing river in Montana?
- 1) The Yellowstone River. The Yellowstone River has always had a special place in our hearts and we without a doubt consider it the best river to fly fish in Montana.
- 2) The Missouri River.
- 3) The Madison River.
- 4) The Blackfoot River.
- 5) The Bighorn River.
What city in Montana has the best fishing?
Bozeman is one of Montana’s best destinations for outdoor activities. The city has excellent cuisine, vibrant culture, and access to internationally renowned fly-fishing. Within a one-hour drive in the area, you will get to some of the finest trout fisheries in the western part of the country.
Where is the best walleye fishing in Montana?
- Tiber Reservoir. Just east of Shelby, Tiber Reservoir (AKA Lake Elwell) is one of the most versatile recreational areas in Montana.
- Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
- Lake Frances.
- Fresno Reservoir.
- Holter Lake.
- Nelson Reservoir.
- Fort Peck Lake.
Where is the best trout fishing in Montana?
- Madison River. Beginning in Yellowstone National Park then continuing on to Three Forks, Montana where it meets the Missouri River, the Madison River is one of the most famous and scenic rivers in the state.
- Gallatin River.
- Yellowstone River.
- Big Hole River.
Where is the best bass fishing in Montana?
- Castle Rock Reservoir.
- Dan Hanghian Reservoir.
- Gartside Reservoir.
Are there grizzly bears in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness?
The Selway Bitterroot Wilderness area is within the Bitterroot grizzly bear recovery area. The big thing about this move is that grizzly bears have been absent from this area for many decades.
Can you swim in the Bitterroot River?
With mountain lakes up every canyon and the Bitterroot River flowing down the center of the valley, there is no shortage of swimming opportunities come summertime.
What is the walleye limit in Montana?
People are also reading… The 2021 regulations allow anglers to keep up to 20 walleye per day. That would include only one fish over 20 inches in the river or Canyon Ferry, or one over 25 inches in Hauser. Total possession could not exceed twice the daily limit.
What season do fish bite the most?
When it comes to catching bass, every season has its opportunities and challenges. Fishing can come alive in the dead of winter on a mild afternoon, but spring and fall usually present the best action. Generally, I try to avoid extremes of heat and cold and times when the water temperature falls rapidly.
Are there wolves in the Bitterroot Valley?
There are a few new packs in the northern Bitterroot and there tend to be larger numbers of wolves in each pack, Bradley said. There are a total of 15 confirmed packs in the Bitterroot.
Are there moose in the Bitterroot Valley?
The Bitterroot Forest is home to many species of wildlife, from mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bear, mountain lions, and moose, to many varieties of smaller animals and birds.
What part of Montana has the most bears?
Northwest Montana has the largest concentration of grizzlies in the Lower 48 states, with more than 1,000 bears across Glacier National Park and nearby expanses of forested wilderness, an area known as the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
What river in Montana has the biggest trout?
The Yellowstone River is the longest free flowing river in the lower 48 and one of North America’s most productive wild trout fisheries. This large river drains much of Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding wilderness areas.
Where is the clearest water in Montana?
Flathead Lake State Park Has The Clearest Water In Montana.
Can you fish with two rods in Montana?
It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Montana.
What is the best time of year to trout fish in Montana?
Fly Fish Montana in Spring The middle of March through April is our spring season, pre-runoff. It’s when we get the first big hatch of the year that really gets the fish looking up. Skwala stoneflies start to hatch in mid-to-late March and last through April, or until runoff begins.
Are treble hooks legal in Montana?
There are no restrictions for using treble hooks in freshwater. Montana only restricts the use of treble hooks on sections of the Flathead river.
Where are the biggest brown trout in Montana?
The fish weighed 32.42 pounds and measured 37 inches long. Robbie Dockter of Conrad holds the new Montana state record brown trout caught March 3 on the Marias River. The fish weighed 32.42 pounds and measured 37 inches long.