NW Montana Fishing Reports from Snappy’s Sport Senter 1.20.20
By angelamontana

Posted: January 23, 2020
Beware of thinning ice and heavy slush conditions with this weeks warming temps.

Ashley Lake
1-2in of ice with 6in of snow/slush mix on top. Not safe and 40deg temps this week may open it up in spots.

Blanchard
5-6in of good ice with slush on top. Pete’s Sassy Stingers and Venom glow jigs are getting nice perch & crappie. A few nice pike being caught on smelt using Jaw Jackers and tip-ups.

Bitterroot Lake
North end of lake has 5-6in of ice in the bay with rainbows, salmon and perch being caught on Swedish Pimples, Hali’s and Zimmer pink/orange Wanna B Jigs. Snow/slush on top of ice. Main body of water has no ice!!

Church Slough
4-6in of ice with snow/slush mix on top. Some perch, pike & crappie being caught. Try Ratt Finkee jigs and Forage Minnow spoons for best results on Panfish. Pike liking yellow or green cut bait or shiners on tip-ups.

Crystal Lake
4-5in of good ice. Snow/slush covering it. Salmon fishing good for 12in+ fish. Watch for springs & open areas.

Echo Lake
7in of good ice with 4in of slush on top. Nice bass, whitefish & perch being caught. Try Forage Minnows & spoons tipped with maggots or wax worms. Crappie have been tough to find.

Flathead Lake
Limited access with freezing temps and lower water.

Flathead River
Whitefish fun has tapered off. Anglers still having luck with lakers, cuts & bows. Water is up a bit so be careful.

Island Lake
6in of ice. Great for 8-10in perch. Snow/slush on top of the ice.

Lake Mary Ronan
7in of great ice with 6in of slush on top. 4Wheelers and snow machines now traveling across. Salmon fishing good for 14in fish using Hali and Ratt Finkees. Rainbows hitting Jigging Raps and Swedish Pimples in 6-12ft of water. Perch hitting tungsten jigs tipped with maggots.

Lake Five
6in of good ice with 12in of snow/slush on top. Fishing good for perch & salmon using Hali jigs, Snyder’s lures and Forage spoons.

Lower Stillwater
10-12in of good ice with 12-18in of snow/slush mix. Perch fishing is good with Eagle Claw tungsten glow jigs with Back Water plastic tails tipped with maggots. Rainbows hitting glow Ratt Finkees tipped with meal worms. Folks are slamming pike using Jigging Jaw Jackers.

Little McGregor
6in of ice and fishing good for 8-10in perch. Some slush reported.

Lynch Lake
6in of ice with some snow/slush on top. Pike fishing is good in the shallows.

Thompson Chain
Lower – 6in of ice with 5in of slush on top. Nice trout & perch being caught on Swedish Pimples. Salmon fishing good for 12in fish.
Middle – Some ice in bays (up to 4in) but 1-2in in some areas to the East. Be very careful on this lake! Snow/slush on top.
Upper – 5in of ice and slush. Great pike & perch fishing using Pete’s Cascade Wonder and maggots. 10-12in perch being caught on regular basis.

Rodgers Lake
5in of ice with snow/slush on top. Still fishing good for cutties and grayling. Try Ratt Finkees and maggots for best results.

Click here for more information on Snappy’s Sport Senter in Kalispell.
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