NW Montana Fishing Report by Snappy’s Sport Senter 12.9.19
By angelamontana

Posted: December 11, 2019
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Ashley Lake
No safe ice and no new reports of fishing activity.

Blanchard
3-5in of good solid ice. Reports of decent crappie action towards the South end. Perch and sunnies are being caught along the West shoreline. Use a Northland Forage Jig tipped with a wax worm.

Church Slough
Some ice has formed but not very safe with above average temps. Use extreme caution if you go here.

Echo Lake
Reports say that most of the lake is capped over, but not safe to venture out on.

Dog Lake (Olney)
5-7in of ice and good for perch. Use a 1/16oz jig and Backwater Bait Destruction Nymph. Tip this with one maggot for even better luck.

Flathead Lake
No new reports other than a few anglers fishing from shore.

Flathead River
Anglers are still having luck catching the whitefish. Steel Bridge and Teakettle accesses are great places to try. A 1/4oz green jig head with Backwater Craws are really working well.

Lake Five
Reports of good ice and a good salmon bite. Get out in 60ft of water and jig Halis with maggots and corn. The use of electronics are helpful in locating fish depths.

Lake Koocanusa
One angler told us of a good salmon bite happening in Abayance Bay. They were jigging a #4 pink Swedish Pimple with a pink Rat Finke dropper 20ft below the water surface.

Lake Mary Ronan
Late last week we got reports of the lake had a thin skin of ice across it. It is not safe to get out on as of yet.

Little Bitterroot
No recent reports of ice or fishing activity.

Lower Stillwater
Ice is 7in and solid. Fishing great for perch. Anglers are having success anywhere from 8-16ft of water. Demon Jigs and wax worms are a good combo this time of year.

Little McGregor
5in of solid ice. Try fishing the South end for perch. Use Trick Tackle Tungsten Jigs tipped with maggots. Try fishing along the rock wall on East side for cutthroat.

Rodgers Lake
Reports say 3-5in of ice, but always check for yourself! Great cutthroat action right now. Small black Rat Finkes and ice cream cone flies tipped with wax worms are nailing them along with a few grayling.

Smith Lake
5in of good ice out front of the launch and to the left. Past Eagle Tree has very thin ice and should avoided for your safety!

Thompson Chain
Smaller lakes are froze over with varying thickness. Middle is still open. Use caution on all locations!

CLICK HERE for more information on Snappy’s Sport Senter in Kalsipell.
(photo via flickr.com)
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