West Fork Bitterroot River Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–1979 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, West Fork Bitterroot River was last stocked July 31, 1979 with Rainbow Trout. West Fork Bitterroot River has 171 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–1979, with about 2,538,437 fish stocked over that period.
When West Fork Bitterroot River is stocked
West Fork Bitterroot River is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 63 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for West Fork Bitterroot River
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Montana.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into West Fork Bitterroot River, they typically congregate in schools near public access points, boat ramps, or inlets for the first 24 to 48 hours while adjusting to natural water conditions.
Since West Fork Bitterroot River was last stocked July 31, 1979, anglers visiting within 1 to 2 weeks of a reported event generally experience the highest activity before fish disperse into deeper cover.
State Regulations & Licensing
- •Fishing License: A valid Montana freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase Montana license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by Montana fish & wildlife agency.Official Montana regulations guidebook →
- •Ethical Conservation: Use barbless hooks and keep fish submerged in water during unhooking.Trout Thermal Advisory: When water temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C), released trout face severe mortality from thermal exhaustion. Target warmwater species or fish early in the morning when lakes and streams warm up.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in West Fork Bitterroot River:
Stocked Trout Tactics
Use light 4–6 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Float scented dough bait (PowerBait) 12–18" off bottom using a sliding slip-sinker rig with a size 14–16 treble hook. For active casting, throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) or small spoons (Kastmaster) along drop-offs.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
Rainbow Trout Profile Tips
The most commonly targeted stocked trout in the country, taken on bait, spinners, and flies alike; a common first fish for new anglers.
Cutthroat Trout Profile Tips
Known for being relatively easy to catch on dry flies, making it a favorite of western fly anglers; many subspecies are managed under catch-and-release rules to protect native populations.
Recommended Tackle for West Fork Bitterroot River
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.
Panther Martin Classic Teardrop Inline Spinner
The heavy convex blade spins instantly upon retrieval, sending vibration through the water that triggers aggressive reaction bites along drop-offs.
Sliding Sinker & Treble Hook Rigging Kit
Sliding egg sinkers allow cautious trout to run with bait without feeling line drag, while size 14–16 treble hooks keep dough bait securely pinned.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
As an Amazon Associate, StockedWaters earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are chosen for hatchery-conditioned fish behavior and ethical rigging. We may receive a referral commission if you buy through these links. Read our editorial policy & standards.
Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near West Fork Bitterroot River, freshest activity first.
Lake Como
9 mi5 species · 384 records
Last stocked June 2026
Boulder Lake
11 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked August 2000
Chaffin Lake
10 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 1990
Kerlee Lake
11 mi1 species · 5 records
Last stocked August 1990
East Fork Bitterroot River
0 mi2 species · 135 records
Last stocked June 1973
Lost Horse Creek
11 mi2 species · 35 records
Last stocked August 1954
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 31, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 877 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 877 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 855 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 855 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 792 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 792 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 24, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 836 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 836 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 892 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 892 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 837 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 837 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 888 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 888 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 820 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 820 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 689 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 689 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 1,073 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 1,073 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 864 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 864 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 816 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 833 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 833 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 735 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 1,060 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 734 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 734 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 3,988 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 6,854 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 6,854 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 3,672 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 3,672 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 4,620 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 4,620 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,978 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,978 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1965 | Cutthroat Trout | 90 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1965 | Cutthroat Trout | 90 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,200 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,960 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 171 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was West Fork Bitterroot River last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, West Fork Bitterroot River was last stocked July 31, 1979 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in West Fork Bitterroot River?
West Fork Bitterroot River is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is West Fork Bitterroot River stocked?
West Fork Bitterroot River is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is West Fork Bitterroot River stocked?
West Fork Bitterroot River has been stocked about 3 times a year — 171 recorded stockings between 1928 and 1979.
How many fish have been stocked in West Fork Bitterroot River?
About 2,538,437 fish have been stocked in West Fork Bitterroot River across 171 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in West Fork Bitterroot River?
Fish stocked in West Fork Bitterroot River average about 4.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish West Fork Bitterroot River?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid Montana freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from Montana fish & wildlife agency for site-specific rules, bag limits, or stamps.
How do you catch stocked trout in West Fork Bitterroot River?
Freshly stocked trout in West Fork Bitterroot River typically respond well to floating dough bait (such as PowerBait) floated 12–18 inches off bottom on light 4–6 lb leader, live nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small inline spinners or spoons retrieved along shorelines and drop-offs.