Montana Fish Report

Water temperatures are climbing into the 70s. With the warmer temps, trout fishing has slowed from shore. The trout bite is better for boaters who can reach the cooler water. Bait anglers are having the best luck with trout hitting orange PowerBait and flashy spinners, while fly anglers are having success with nymph, midge and leech patterns. Streamers are being hit hard off the dam. Fish shallower water in the early morning, and then focus on deeper water as the day warms up.

Bass and catfish fishing has picked up with the warmer weather. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass are hitting soft plastics, chatter baits and a variety of crankbaits. Try flukes and Senkos in different varieties of greens and purples with sparkles. Special regulations: Starting July 1, anglers may keep one black bass 15 inches or longer.