Montana Fish Report

Surface temps are 60 degrees- this week's upcoming warm trend should warm it further. Lake is clear with mud lines forming around the shore on windy days.

Trout bite slowed down but some anglers are still managing to catch some nice fish.  Bank anglers do best with 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, will usually work even when fishing is tough. Also, try using a lure and make repeated cast from the shore. A chrome/blue Kastmaster or a white Roostertail would be a good choice. 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.  Most anglers are using an assortment of colors and lures. A few of the popular ones includes, Apex, Needlefish, Wedding Rings, Rapalas, Hootchies, and Cripplures. Bright colors such as chartreuse, pink, and orange seem to be triggering more bites. They have been fishing from 5-45 feet deep, and catching them at depths in between. The dam/spillway area is a good place to start, and is notorious for having bigger than average fish. They are starting to school up and become more aggressive.  Most anglers are picking up a 13-14" 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.  Most of the kokanee are 10 to 30 feet deep in the main lake. Some schools of larger fish are showing up from 40 to 60 feet, but don't seem to be biting yet.  Try a small lure such as a pink or orange Micro Hootchie or tube bug with a small teardrop dodger or Slingblade.  Be sure to add scent to your bait. In the past Nightcrawler is a good early season scent.  

Bass are definitely showing up in shallow water. Bank anglers have been walking the shoreline catching fish on a variety of soft plastics. It is time for fish to be spawning. The spotted bass spawn in colder, deeper water- 15-30 feet deep, while the black bass spawn in slightly warmer (63 degree) water and shallower- 5-15 feet.  Try using a green pumpkin Senko fished weightless on a wacky rig or a good old fashioned Texas rig. The jig bite has been wide open, too.  With the water warming up, the fish will become more active, so tie on reaction type baits such as jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits.  (209) 736-4333, (209) 586-2383