Montana Fish Report

Since the temperature of the lake is right around 70 degrees, it’s best to cast deep.  Shore fishing has been okay at Oak Point, Sobrante Point, and the main visitor center.    Trout are still biting on Power Bait, night crawlers, or a night crawler/power egg combo.  There has been some success trolling.  A few three and four pounders have been caught trolling the mouth of Scow Canyon in 26 feet of water.   If trolling, use a Fire Tiger Rapala or a Needle Fish about at least 25 feet deep.  Trout have also been reported from the Rock Wall to Sandy Point. 

The bass bite has been good.  Black bass are good on green pumpkin plastic worms and lizards and fire tiger crank baits from 6 to 10 feet. Fish early in the morning and late in the evening for the best results bouncing tubes, lizards and Brush Hawgs in watermelon and green pumpkin colors has worked well for Black Bass. Smallmouth Bass are good on Zara Spooks and 3-inch swim baits off of the main lake points and from mid-lake to the dam early in the morning.  Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms and jig-head worms, watermelon seed, green pumpkin and watermelon candy are the best colors.

With 9500 pounds of catfish planted this season bites continue to improve.  Although the catfish haven’t been large, the numbers of catfish have been impressive.   The majority of catfish have been caught inside Scow Canyon.  Other hot spot has been at the visitor center, the boat launch and The Pines.  Cats are biting on chicken livers, night crawlers, Bloody Blood Gulp Catfish Dough and Power Bait Catfish Fish scent. 

The crappie bit has been good.  We have had several limits from Scow Canyon and at the boat launch facility.  When fishing from shore, try fishing around some type of cover such as docks or logs.  Most of the time you will find them suspended in the middle, so don’t fish on the bottom.  Try a number 12 hook and a worm or Power Bait Crappie Nibbles about 3 feet below your bobber.  If fishing with crappie jig, let it settle to the bottom.  Twitch it a couple of times off the bottom, pick it up and let it re-drop.  The best jigs seem to be anything with chartreuse in it. Cast for Kids, an event to promote fishing among handicap children, will be held Saturday. Volunteers are needed. (510) 223-1661