Montana Fish Report

Mouth to Pelton Dam

Reports of good dry fly action in the evenings lately on the lower Deschues between Maupin and Warm Springs. Nymphing has been consistent as well.

The Deschutes River from lower end of Moody Rapids downstream to the I-84 west bound bridge will be closed to all angling starting July 15 – September 15. This closure is a part of the Deschutes River thermal sanctuary that extends out into the Columbia River.

The Deschutes Steelhead Framework establishes metrics use to manage the summer steelhead fishery on the lower Deschutes River based on run strength and conservation needs. As of July 1, fishery managers are monitoring returns of wild summer steelhead over Bonneville Dam. Per the framework, 9,900 wild steelhead need to be counted at Bonneville dam between July 1 – July 31 for the lower Deschutes fishery to remain open. Dam counts can be found here.

Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake

This section includes the popular brown trout fishery below Wickiup Reservoir and brook trout fishery between Crane Prairie and Little Lava Lake. Anglers report excellent fishing for mountain whitefish, brook trout and redband trout from Crane Prairie to the headwaters. Fishing between Wickiup Dam and Pringle Falls has been productive for large brown trout. Following the wet winter and spring, mosquitos are out in full force on the Upper Deschutes, especially near the headwaters, and anglers should come prepared.