Montana Fish Report

Water temperature is rising, currently ranging from 52 to 55 degrees. Water is crystal clear. Large trout are coming in. Several fish over 3-pounds were caught and most anglers are catching their limits. The average size fish is about two pounds. Trout are right up in the shallows, spawning and chasing bait.  Bank anglers have been using Power Bait (the garlic scent is working great), Gulp Eggs, marshmallows, and nightcrawlers to catch them. Berkley Mice Tails are also great floating baits that catch fish. It is very important that your bait floats. Use small hooks, plenty of Power Bait, and a worm blower to float a crawler. The entire bait rig is very simple but effective. It consists of an egg sinker, barrel swivel, 12" to 48" leader, and a small hook. While you are waiting for the fish it is a good idea to fan cast lures on the surface. Try using casting spoons such as Kastmasters, Krocodiles, and Thomas Bouyants. Don't forget to get a second rod stamp if you are going to fish more than one pole at a time. Trollers have been catching some fish in the back of the major creek arms (Carson Creek, Coyote Creek, and Angels Creek.) Try fishing closer to shore and follow the contour of the bank. A lot of fish are up shallow. Side planning and long-lining a floating or jointed Rapala has been producing a lot of fish and some pretty nice ones too. When choosing baits try using one bright colored bait and one natural bait to see which color will trigger the fish into biting. Also, since the fish have been shallow, some anglers have been doing well casting lures at the bank or dropping an anchor and using bait. We have had a few reports of some fish being caught at 35-50 feet deep. We might start seeing more in the next couple weeks. Generally the Kokanee fishing starts mid April and is really good May through July. Bass fishing is pretty good. The fish are starting to move shallow. The spotted bass are in the pre-spawn stage and being caught at 10-25 feet deep. The fish are very fat this year and full of shad. The average size spotted bass is 2-pounds. Fish are being caught on soft plastics and there has been a pretty decent jig bite.  (209) 736-4333