Montana Fish Report

Rec. 1, and Rec. 2 are open with docks.

Some ice forming at night, most of it is in the extreme west basin and is gone by 2:00 pm. Surface temps a cool 36 degrees early, and will warm to about 38 degrees after the sun gets high. Lake Levels are just starting to rise. Winter time fishing anyone?

Hitting the water in the wintertime has its advantages. Fishing pressure is light, no pleasure boats or jet skis scaring the fish, and creating wakes that don’t help when you’re on anchor. My biggest rainbow came in March trolling a J5 Rapala near Rocky Point. It weighed 10.2 pounds. Winter fishing is good.

Just dress for cold mornings  and you can stay out all day. 

Here's the latest. The rainbow trout spawn has begun.

Bailey Springs is located  800 yards. north of the Bailey Creek inlet, It’s easy to find this time of year when lake levels are lower. When the lake is full they cannot be seen, like now. Currents flowing right out of the hillside can easily be seen as you work your way up the shoreline. Rainbows will be spawning here and the shallow flats around the springs. Browns will be in the mix as well, looking to feed off the spawn. Put a nightcrawler 36 inches under a bobber and let the current take it out into the open water. Large white tube jigs also get  hits. Hens should be released, try not to use a net.

Geritol Cove at Canyon Dam also will be having rainbow spawn activity. Fish will be tipping, picking up spawn material along the bottom, try roe or salmon eggs or work Power Bait off the weed line in the back of the cove. 

Trolling has been weak this week. I tried all my favorite rigs over the last 2 days trolling. About 6 hours total, and got 4 rainbows, all about 14 to 16 inches...plants from last fall..they looked good and were released.

The bait bite has been way better. Work the usual places like, Big Springs, A-Frame, the Snag, Skinny Dip Beach, Spar Buoy, Fox Farm. If you’re coming up, bring crickets. They will work great, but you can’t get them here.

Anchovy Tails at the Snag and Big Spring for kings, add Pro-Cure Super Herring Gel. For the Trollers. With water clarity a issue. Flashers, Micro flashers, dodgers will give off flash and vibrations that help fish find your presentation whether it’s a threaded crawler or smelt pattern..

troll the top 20 feet of water and up to 5 feet.

Use a heavy application of Pro-Cure Trophy Trout scent on lures, or inject crawlers with scent. Warm the needle, a scent path will always help.

Winter conditions require a elevated awareness of safety. As lake levels rise logs and sticks will be refloated. Check current weather reports prior to you trip.Have respect for the wind. Avoid launching into ice.

Ice can seriously damage your transducer or other electronics sensors that are typically mounted on the stern. Walk the ramp, if you cant walk down without slipping? Then don’t back down it.

 Access accurate Lake Almanor data at http://www.project2105.org/lake_levels.htm.  Doug Neal (530) 258-6732 http://www.almanorfishingadventures.com