Montana Fish Report

Trout fishing is slow. Trout seem to be in transition from deep to shallow water. We have had reports of fish being caught from 5-45 feet of water. With the water temperature dropping we should start seeing more fish being caught toward the surface. Bass bite is good. The fish are fairly shallow in depths ranging from 10 to 35 feet. They are feeding on shad and crawdads. The water temperature is warmer than the air temperature on most days. It is still warm enough to catch fish on reaction baits, and top water. Try using shad pattern rip-baits or lip less cranks. Walk the dog style baits will produce some big bites. But, you have to fish them slower than normal, or dead-stick them periodically though out the retrieve.  Also, there is a good jig bite. Main lake points and secondary points with chunk rock are holding schools of "keeper" size fish. Try using a 3/8, 1/2, or 3/4oz. football jig, with a Zoom Baby Brush Hog or a Yamamoto twin tail as a trailer. Brown/purple, Brown/green pumpkin, and green pumpkin are all good choices. Catfish are moving shallow and feeding on cloudy/rainy days. The weather forecast for the next couple weeks shows we might be seeing some of these kinds of days. Glory Hole Sports  (209) 736-4333, (209) 586-2383