Montana Fish Report

Water temps have reached up to 60 degrees. Lake is slightly stained, with mud lines forming around the shore on windy days. The trout bite is still good for both bank anglers and trollers, but the sudden heat wave last week slowed the fishing a bit.  The water temperature in the shallows is warming up faster than the main lake, pushing the trout out into deeper, cooler water. Bank anglers are still catching 2-3 pound rainbows off of points, using Power Bait and Gulp or Power Eggs.  Nightcrawlers, either alone, or with a marshmallow will usually work even when fishing is tough.  If you have a second-rod stamp, throw a chrome/blue Kastmaster or a white Roostertail with one rod, while soaking bait with the other. Night Fishing has been picking up. Drop Power Bait or minnows under a submersible light near the spillway/dam, or under the Highway 49 Stevenot Bridge. Kokanee are starting to school up and become more aggressive, but are still on the small side.  Most anglers are picking up 11-14" kokanee along with a couple of trout to fill out their limit.   Kokanee that are being caught are 10-40 feet deep in the main lake- the north side of the lake has been very productive. Some schools of larger fish are showing up from 40-60 feet, but don't seem to be biting yet. Bass bite is wide open.  Bass anglers are reporting catching a fish on every cast.  During the Nor-Cal tournament last Saturday, Alex Niapas and Jerry Harvey caught a limit weighing 38+ pounds, including two 12-pounders!  The 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. Glory Hole Sports  (209) 736-4333, (209) 586-2383