Bitterroot Valley Recreational Opportunities

The Bitterroot Valley and surrounding mountains offer many varied recreational opportunities. The "big game" hunter will find whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion, moose, mountain goats and big horn sheep waiting to challenge his best instincts. Small game in the Bitterroot Valley include pheasants, rabbits and you will see many grouse in the mountains. The fisherman (or woman) will find one of the best trout fisheries in the country located right in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley3; The Bitterroot River. There is an abundance of rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout waiting to try a person´s patience. Two of the larger lakes, Lake Como and Painted Rocks Lake are available for water skiing and other water recreation. Numerous back mountain lakes offer excellent fishing to those who love a good hike or have horses for riding. There are a number of campgrounds in the Bitterroot National Forest. Numerous trails for hiking and horseback riding are available leading into the Bitterroot National Forest. Snowmobile and cross country skiing are also fun activities to experience in the Bitterroot as well as Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Resort, a great down hill ski resort south of Darby Montana. The Bitterroot Valley Montana has something to offer all outdoor enthusiasts every season of the year. Anyone looking to move to the Bitterroot Valley or looking to visit will truly find this Valley is the "best last place in the last best place."

Fishing The Bitterroot River The Bitterroot River flows through the center of the Bitterroot Valley and is quickly gaining in popularity as one of the best trout rivers in Western Montana. Fishing the Bitterroot River is a great way to enjoy the Bitterroot Valley scenery and beautiful environment. Some of the primary fish species found in the Bitterroot River are the Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout and upstream from Hamilton Montana you can often find the Cutthroat Trout. During the stonefly hatch in spring large Brown Trout are regularly taken, though they must be released. The best trout fishing generally occurs during the spring/ early summer and again in the fall. Starting in early spring the Bitterroot Valleys huge mountain ranges release lots of run-off that turn the Bitterroot River into fast moving white water and can become very dangerous. During late May or mid. June the Bitterroot River calms and clears. It is then the Bitterroot River becomes a beautiful peaceful place for fishing. Just south of Darby Montana flows the East Fork and West Fork Bitterroot Rivers. The Bitterroot River is formed from the combination of the two rivers just south of Darby Montana in a town called Connor Montana and flows north toward the fast growing town of Hamilton Montana. To fish the Bitterroot River or the East and West Fork Bitterroot Rivers feel free to contact: Weston McKay 406-961-3122 or Doug Bower 406-821-FISH