NW Montana Fishing Reports by Snappy’s Sport Senter 12.17.19
By angelamontana

Posted: December 19, 2019
With colder weather coming, “snotcicles” are making a fashionable comeback! Stay safe out there!
Ashley Lake
No recent reports of ice or fishing activity.

Blanchard
Ice varies from 3in on South send to 5in on the rest of the lake. Perch fishing is good using Pete’s Mystic Tear jig and Mitey Mite plastics. No crappie reports.

Church Slough
Reports of 2-3in of ice. A few medium sized pike caught. Lots of smaller perch. Use caution going out on the ice!

Echo Lake
No new reports of fishable ice. Cooler temps will help build thickness. Always probe the ice ahead of you to check ice safety.

Flathead Lake
A few brave anglers have having luck trolling the depths for lakers. Use an 8in flasher with Brad’s Cut Plug filled with maple sausage and run it close to the bottom. No reports of ice formation yet.

Flathead River
Whitefish are still running in the river. Reports of nice cutthroat and lakers mixed in. For slow moving water, use a Gitzit Lure. For slightly faster water, use a 1/4oz jig and a plastic green craw.

Half Moon (West Glacier)
Reports of 6in of ice and some slush. Anglers are catching largemouth bass in the 2-3lb range. Orange and white Forage Spoons with maggots are a must.

Hubbard Reservoir
Reports of good ice, 3-5in thick. Water level is very low so USE CATION! Small mouth action is doing well once found.

Lake Koocanusa
No recent reports of fish activity. If you venture out by boat, the salmon should be plentiful in front of the Rexford launch.

Lake Five
5-6in of ice and slush. Slow salmon bite in front of the boat launch. Try heading to the West shore access and find 60ft of water. Jig Hali spoons tipped with corn and maggots.

Lake Mary Ronan
Reports say it is capped over but not fishable. Cooler weather will help increase ice thickness.

Lion Lake
6in of ice and slush reported. A few nice rainbows being caught using VMC spoons and Power Bait. Lots of small perch jigging with Ratso and maggots.

Little Bitterroot
No recent reports of ice formations or fishing activity.

Loon Lake (Ferndale)
1-2in of ice with 1in of snow cover. No reports of fish activity.

Lower Stillwater
7in of ice by boat launch, 10in North of islands and machine safe. Perch fishing has been good over the weekend. Use a 1/32oz or 1/8oz jig and Ankle Biter craw from BackWater Bait for best action.

Rodgers Lake
Another great week for cutthroat action. Use and ice cream cone fly or a black rat finke and a wax worm. Ice is 3-5in according to reports.

Smith Lake
Perch Assault saw some jumbo perch last week. 5-6in of ice and slush, thinner down by Eagle Tree.

Thompson Chain
USE CAUTION!
Lower – 0-3in of ice. 90% is frozen over.
Middle – Some ice forming on SE end.
Upper – 2-4in of ice, so use caution!

For more information on Snappy’s Sport Senter in Kalispell, click here!

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing