Bozeman/Butte Recreation Report Bob Ward's Sports and Outdoors

Bozeman/Butte Recreation Report by Bob Ward’s Sports and Outdoors (3.13.15)
By angelamontana

Posted: March 13, 2015

Hunting:

2015 Montana and Idaho Licenses are now available for purchase.

Don’t forget to get your application for resident and nonresident deer and elk permits filled out and sent in by March 16th.

Winter mountain lion season with use of hounds goes until April 14th.

We always want to see your photos of trophy game or catches so bring em down!

Bozeman Fishing:

Gallatin River: The river should start fishing very well, as this cold snap leaves and the warm weather returns. Stone flies, Copper Bob’s, and egg patterns will be a good bet. As the run off begins, San Juan worms will definitely be a good food source.

Yellowstone River: As the warm weather returns, the fish should start hitting the streamers and big stuff. Stoneflies and midges will be a good bet, and will earn a person plenty of whitefish action.

Madison River: The fish on the Madison will be eating good as the weather warms up. The spawn is about to kick in. Crayfish, Sculpin’s, and rubber legs will be a good bet. Midges, San Juan Worms, and Egg Patterns will also keep fish on the line.

There is not much word from any of the lakes and ponds, as the ice is a bit sketchy.

Butte Fishing:

Recent warm weather in SW Montana has initiated great fishing conditions. Trout are beginning to move into spawning areas and early warm temperatures have brought early season hatches to bear. Nymph fishing on the Missouri, Big Hole, and Beaverhead Rivers are improving week by week.

Bactis nymphs are typical of early season mayfly hatches and patterns such as Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ear Nymphs, and Copper Bobs are excellent imitators.

Black Copper Bobs in size 14 or 16 were a great choice last week on the Beaverhead and Clark Fork rivers. Purple Prince put a few nice trout from the Missouri into our creels.

San Juan Worms and Red Power worms have been working well on the Big Hole near Melrose.

Spawn Sacs dyed orange are a great bait choice on the Missouri.

Ice conditions are poor everywhere except Georgetown has been good. Vertical jigs or glo hooks with bait work well.

(Report by Ryan Corwin – Bob Ward’s Sports and Outdoors)

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Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing