Montana Fish Report

Currently the water level is within a foot or so of spill and holding. Visibility remains good, presently good to 15 feet plus at the Marina. Water temperatures are constant and are currently 68 degrees at the 20 foot mark and the same at surface.

Trollers are concentrating in the River Arm around Twin Coves, Deer Island and Columbia Gulch lately. The Kokanee have gone deeper lately to find the cooler water temperatures, try 75 to 100 feet. Some anglers have reported Kokanee have begun to show some signs of turning, namely hooked jaws and some red coloration. Trout fishing has also been better upstream but not quite as deep. Some continue to do well with lures, flashers and night crawlers at 25 to 40 feet. Trout aren’t congregating but are almost exclusively being found and caught in the River Arm. Hot lures for Kokanee are still Uncle Larry’s glow pink fire tiger, copper popsicles and desert fire lures, all tipped with corn behind a medium silver/blue or watermelon Sep’s or Lance’s dodger.  

The bass continue to hang around the coves and rocky points throughout the Lake during the week. Not as many bass reports this week but baits are the same, Anglers are most successful using hot shot and swim baits.

Bank fishermen were scarce in the Recreation Area most have moved to the Woodpile where trout and catfish fishing have been pretty good lately. Power bait for the trout and night crawlers and chicken livers for the catfish have been the meals of choice.  

Late afternoon and early evening at the Mud Hole and Tom Sawyer Bridge have been very productive for nice cats in the 2 to 5 pound range.