Montana Fish Report

Water temperature has cooled a bit and is in the upper 60s to low 70s. Trout fishing is fair. Trolling anglers are catching a few limits in the main lake and in the mouths of major creek arms. We have had reports of fish being caught from 35-65 feet of water. On cooler nights the fish are moving toward the surface, and on hotter days they go deep, to the comfort of cool water. Try using shad patterned trolling spoons such as, Needlefish, Excels, Slimfins, and Speedy Shiners. The fish are feeding heavily on 3-5" shad. Large plug baits like Countdown Rapalas, Rattle traps, and Speed traps are working well too 

Kokanee fishing is slow. Fish are are heading to the back of creek arms, and upriver for their annual spawn and die.

Bass bite is good. Spots are ambushing balls of shad on main lake points, in main lake pockets and on submerged island tops.  Try using top water baits, like spooks, Gunfish, and poppers in the morning. Then as the sun comes up, switch to finesse baits. Use shad patterned worms on a drop shot rig, or drag a Carolina rig with small crawdad colored bait. Largemouth bass are in shallow water in the morning and move to 25-45 feet later in the day. In the a.m. hours try using reaction baits like spinnerbaits, and lipless crankbaits. Once the sun starts beating down use a 3/8oz. or 1/2oz. football head jig with a matching Yamamoto twin-tail grub. Brown/brown, brown/purple, and green pumpkin are all good choices.

Catfish bite is fair. Crappie bite is good. Anglers that are night fishing, using submersible lights in the backs of coves are catching some nice crappie. The fish are in 15-30 feet of water near standing timber and brush. Live minnows are working well.

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