Montana Fish Report

Trout bite slowed down a bit for the bank anglers, and continues to get better for the trolling anglers. The best bite time has been in the early morning and in the late afternoon. Mid-day the fish will be in deeper/cooler water or near shade. Bank anglers should target deeper water near the main lake. Try using lures first thing in the morning and switching to bait as the water warms up. Try using chrome, chrome/blue, and gold colored Kastmasters. Also, night crawlers- fished on a sliding sinker rig has is a good way to catch them. Trollers have been doing better since the trout have moved off of the bank. But the bite is definitely not wide open.  We have had reports from several anglers targeting kokanee and catching some nice trout. The shad patterned Apex, have been working well for both species.  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. The fish are growing and fattening up daily.  Kokanee that are being caught are 5-45 feet deep in the main lake.  A few places where anglers have been catching their limits include the spillway/dam area and the 49 Bridge. Try using a Rocky Mountain Assassin spinner on one rod, and a Glitterbug Micro Hoochie on the other. This way you will have one presentation that has a lot of vibration, and one presentation that is subtle. Watermelon, silver, and pink have been the most productive color choices for dodgers, and sling blades.  Be sure to add scent to your bait. Garlic, kokanee special, and anise have been good choices.  Don't forget your corn soaked in the same scents.

Bass anglers are reporting catching fish all day long. Most fish are 12-15 inches with a few 3-pound plus fish caught.  The bass have been in shallow water for the last few weeks, and are starting to move back out to deeper water. It is toward the end of the spawning season and more of a post-spawn bite. They are fattening up and starting to recuperate from the spawn. Try using top water (poppers, spooks, and buzz baits) in the mornings and switching to soft plastics (Stick-baits, creatures, and hand pours) as the sun comes up.  Also, bass will feed heavily on bluegill and other sunfish at this time of the year. Keep this in mind when choosing colors and lure presentations.

Glory Hole Sports  (209) 736-4333, (209) 586-2383