Montana Fish Report

The trout bite has slowed 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 and throw shad or rainbow trout patterned Rapala Countdowns, or other minnow style baits.  Also, try using a worm threader to thread a nightcrawler on the hook and fish it with a Power Egg or a marshmallow. This is a great way to float you bait off of the bottom.   Most trollers are picking up mixed limits of trout/kokanee. Trolling spoons and spinners seem to be producing quality fish. Night Fishing has been picking up. Drop Power Bait, Gulp Minnows, or live minnows under a submersible light near the spillway/dam, or under the Highway 49 Stevenot Bridge. Kokanee are finally schooling up. We have had many good reports of anglers catching quick limits. Most anglers are picking up 12-14" kokanee with an occasional 15-16" fish. The fish are growing and fattening up daily.  Kokanee that are being caught are 40-80 feet deep in the main lake.  To catch larger fish, try using baits that have a large profile and produce a lot of action. Try using a Rocky Mountain Super Squid or an Apex to target these larger fish. A few places where anglers have been catching their limits include the spillway/dam area and the 49 Bridge. Pink is always a good color on this lake, but green and chartreuse are also working. Troll all baits behind a dodger or Slingblade, or the new Fatal Attraction dodgers- they really create an erratic action that kokanee can't resist. Be sure to add scent to your bait. Bass anglers are reporting catching fish all day long. Most fish are 12-15 inches with a few 3-pound plus fish caught.  Most of the fish are done spawning and have moved out to main lake structure. 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.  There is good drop shot bite on submerged island tops and main lake points at 25 to 45 feet deep. Glory Hole Sports  (209) 736-4333, (209) 586-2383