Good news for the hard water fishermen! Diehards have been out on Smith on 3 inches of solid ice. Please use EXTREME caution with these warmer temps! Always have safety equipment when going out on first ice. This includes ice picks, rope and maybe float suits.

Ashley Lake
Rainbow actions should be picking up, so troll with planer boards and a captain Andy’s Trolling Fly. Run planer board over 15-20ft of water. No reports of Salmon.

Church Slough
Perch action has been very good. Go to the right of launch around 200yrds and look for structure in 8ft of water. Jig a Northland Forage Minnow with maggots. Pike action has been fair. Anglers are reporting the Vibrax Lure in yellow/red with red dots works best.

Echo Lake
Late season bass are biting so now is a good time to get them before they get lethargic. Focus in deeper water where the temps are warmer. Some whitefish have been reported using Pete’s Whitefish Slayers.

Flathead Lake
Smaller lakers are still deep. Jig Zimmer Tackle with cut bait. Bigger lakers are being caught in shallower water 20-60ft. Troll a rainbow Rapala behind a planer board in 20ft or less. Whitefish are cruising the shorelines looking for spawning beds.Flathead River
Reports of the whitefish bite has been picking up. Some having luck by West Glacier bridge, Blankenship, and Columbia Falls bridge. More action is reported by Steel Bridge daily. Green jigs and green craw patterns are working well.

Koocanusa
Another banner week for Rainbow. Kamlooper spoons and trolling flies work very well. Use these off planer boards 30-40ft behind. No recent salmon reports.

Lake Mary Ronan
Perch, perch and more perch! Look for 18ft and start jigging off the bottom with new PK Lures Tungsten Spoons tipped with fresh wax worms.

Little Bitterroot
Perfect time to go after the bows! They are shallow and hungry. A red and yellow Kamlooper spoon does the job. Great salmon action as well when using cow bells and a wedding ring.

Lower Stillwater
Reports of ice forming from log dam to boat launch. It won’t be long for the hard water!

Rodgers Lake
Another great week for the cutthroat. Get along the reeds and cast into them on just short. Purple Haze of Prince Nymphs work well for flies. Small Super Dupers work well for spin casting.

Smith Lake
GOOD NEWS! Diehards have been on 3in of sound ice but use EXTREME caution with these warmer temps! Always have safety equipment when going out on first ice. This includes ice picks, rope and maybe float suits.

Thompson Lake
Good perch and pike action throughout the chain. Shallow in less than 10ft in weed beds. Cast small Crappie Candy for perch and DareDevils for pike.