Flathead Lake Whitefish - Mark Ward

The Search for Whitefish and More in the MORS Weekly Wrap Up
By Matt Schauer

Posted: August 12, 2012

I just heard from Jim Vashro, fisheries biologist for FWP Region 1, about the lack of the whitefish bite on Flathead Lake. In his words, he’s “baffled” at why the whitefish are not biting. Here is Vashros’ e-mail that he sent late Friday:

“Well, I’m baffled. There are what appear to be perch balls in a number of areas around Flathead. Charter captains are catching lake trout with perch in their stomachs. I’m getting reports of anglers catching 2 to 5 whitefish in a morning in Big Arm Bay (the bite usually starts there first). I heard one report of 25+ whitefish from there, but I haven’t heard that verified.

I fished Woods Bay Point, last Saturday and this morning (Friday). I’m seeing lots of what look like perch and at the right depths, but I can’t find a lake whitefish. I’m getting the same story from guys on the delta. I eventually went deeper for lakers, had a number of fish come in to look at my jigs, no bumps. People are catching lakers eating mysis shrimp, maybe that’s where the whitefish are.”

Jim Johnson called and reported that he and Dennis Peterson, of Lincoln, went lake trout fishing on Flathead lake (Thursday) and ended up with four fish in the boat. One was in the slot at 33 inches. Peterson caught all the fish on his rod. Johnson blamed the new lime green Under Armor shirt he was wearing for his bad luck. They caught the fish in 90 to 110 feet of water just north of Finley Point. They were using the dead-bait set-up from Zimmer Tackle.

Antelope 900 series opens this Wednesday for hunters who have a tag. Good luck and be aware of fire danger with the dry conditions.

Steve Caldback, of Big Arm, won a free entry into the Great Montana Mack Attack on Flathead Lake and a $10 gift card from Montana Club, just by listening to the show Saturday. He was the lucky caller during our contest. Be sure to listen, on Saturday, because you could win a free $25 entry into the tournament slated to take place August 25 through the 26th.

The Twisted Tea “Hot Fishing Spot of the Week” is every single body of water in Montana.  Of course, it depends on the day or time you are fishing. Well, it’s August, it’s hot and the fishing is hit or miss.  But you can’t catch ’em if your not on the water.

Also, congratulations to Matt Plattes, of Missoula and Dan Halverson, of Lakeside! They are the latest winners on the Kendall Four Seasons Subaru statewide trivia that we do twice every Saturday morning on the Montana Outdoor Radio Show. Read, listen and win with the Montana Outdoor Radio Show and www.MontanaOutdoor.com.

Have good week and be safe!

Captain

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