With a potential smallmouth bass state record just caught in Fort Peck Reservoir (click HERE for that story), it is being noticed that smallmouth bass are being caught by some anglers at Canyon Ferry. Adam Strainer, a Fisheries Technician with Montana FWP, has some information on the subject and sent us the following information:
A few adult smallmouth bass are reportedly caught each year at Canyon Ferry Reservoir and are generally caught somewhere on the North End (near the dam) of the reservoir. Our summer creel clerks typically weigh and measure less than two annually in the same area. So, although we don’t see large numbers of the species, they are more common than one might think. This August we sampled a large male (approximately 15-inches) in our mid month gillnetting series and, just this past week, we sampled some juveniles (approximately 9-inches) and young of the year (approximately 2-inches). All of the aforementioned fish were sampled between Magpie Bay and Hellgate Bay along the west shore. So, there is some successful spawning occurring annually and apparently enough habitat to recruit some fish to adulthood. I’ve attached photo’s of the fish I described above. The pencil in the latter two photo’s is 6-inches.
A few adult smallmouth bass are reportedly caught each year at Canyon Ferry Reservoir and are generally caught somewhere on the North End (near the dam) of the reservoir. Our summer creel clerks typically weigh and measure less than two annually in the same area. So, although we don’t see large numbers of the species, they are more common than one might think.
This August we sampled a large male (approximately 15-inches) in our mid month gillnetting series and, just this past week, we sampled some juveniles (approximately 9-inches) and young of the year (approximately 2-inches). All of the aforementioned fish were sampled between Magpie Bay and Hellgate Bay along the west shore. So, there is some successful spawning occurring annually and apparently enough habitat to recruit some fish to adulthood.
I’ve attached photo’s of the fish I described above. The pencil in the latter two photo’s is 6-inches.
(Report and photos by Adam Strainer – Montana FWP)
Public Comment Period Opens May 15 for an Easement Application on Fox Farm Road
By Moosetrack Megan
ROUGHING IT!!!
By Montana Grant
SAME OLD LINE!!!
Memorial Day 2023 – Listen to Last Weeks Show 5/27/23
By Kamp Cook
Montana Fishing Reports for Memorial Day Weekend 2023
NET JOBS!!!
MT Outdoor Podcast: Big Bucks with Big Fish for the Big Winners! How Did They Do It?
By angelamontana
USDA Forest Service Invests $28.8 million into Deferred Maintenance Projects in the Northern Region (R1)
First but not last trip to Fort Peck
FWP News: Application deadline for antelope and B licenses June 1
FWP News: Application available for FWP’s Habitat Conservation Lease Program
Fishing with the Captain
All about the walleyes at Fort Peck
Fresno and Nelson Reservoir Fishing Report by Brian Olson 5.26.23
Embark on a reel adventure every week with our action-packed fishing radio show!
First Trip to Fort Peck for this Angler
Kids spend prom night fishing
Statewide MT Fishing Report Compilation 5.25.23
THE FLYING FISHERMAN!!!
CUTS COMING BACK!!!
Brett French reports: Yellowstone cutthroat trout growing bigger
FWP News: LOWER YELLOWSTONE RIVER PADDLEFISH UPDATE – May 24, 2023
Ten-year-old Turkey Hunter bags her bird!
Bison Calf Euthanized after being Rescued by Tourist
