Montana Fish Report

The Mackinaw bite has picked up, best areas have been Dollar and Sugarpine point. Early bite has been the most productive, trolling dodgers and a live minnow with pro cure scent on it. Fish in 80 to 150 feet of water until the sun peaks the top of the mountain. After that change to 160 to 180 feet of water. Average size has been 2 to 6 pounds. Gene St Denis reported he caught four in the eight- to 12 pound range this week.  The kokanee bite is on for the south shore. Anglers have been using small blades and a red magic  tipped with white corn. The have been fishing 60 to 100 feet of water, with the average fish 6 to 12 inches with a few up to 15 inches. Nevada Fish and Game has planted thousands of cutthroat trout in the lake over the last month. Here is the first report of  one caught. Gene reported one of the mackinaws that he caught had a nine inch cutthroat trout hanging out of its mouth, and that was in 130 feet of water. Mike Nielsen (530) 721-0593; (530) 546-4444; 530-412-1800