Montana Fish Report

Water temperature has warmed to 60 degrees. Lake is clear with mud lines forming around the shore on windy days. Trout bite has been good this week, with plenty of  three pounders showing up on anglers' stringers.  The water temperature in the shallows is warming up faster than the main lake, pushing the trout out into deeper, cooler water. Bank anglers have had most of their success using Power Bait.  Rainbow/garlic has been the most popular color and scent, and has caught many of the weekly big fish.  Gulp or Power Eggs have been hot, too.   Nightcrawlers, either alone, or with a marshmallow, or Berkley Power Eggs, behind a lure are a good choice during and immediately after a rain.  Trollers have been doing much better since the trout have moved off of the bank, although the most successful boaters are bellying up to the bank and throwing a line in the water like the bank anglers, but upriver between the two bridges. Kokanee are starting to school and become more aggressive.  Most anglers are picking up a 13- to 14-inch kokanee or two in their trout limits, but anglers who are specifically targeting them can put a limit in the boat, although the bite isn't wide open yet.  Target the kokanee10 to 30 feet deep in the main lake with a small lure such as a pink or orange Micro Hootchie or tube bug with a small teardrop dodger or Slingblade.  Glory Hole Sports employee John Liechty caught (and released) the 2^nd biggest bass ever to come out of Melones this week!  Weighing 17-pounds, 4-ounces, he caught her on the south side of the lake on a Senko.  She was full of eggs and sore-tailed, proof that spawning season is at hand, and the fish are moving into shallow water. He caught her last Friday when there was a full moon- very important to spawning bass.  The next full moon is May 5^th, and the bite should be awesome then.  The spotted bass spawn in colder, deeper water- 15 to 30 feet deep, while the black bass spawn in slightly warmer (63 degree) water and shallower five to 15 feet.  Try using a green pumpkin Senko fished weightless on a wacky rig.   The jig bite has been wide open, too.  (209) 736-4333, (209) 586-2383