Lakes are beginning to open up and the shorelines are going with the warm weather and wind we’ve had. I would not suggest hitting the ice anymore.
Echo Lake is ice free and are putting their boats in getting some smallmouth bass and largemouth bass
Murphy Lake up towards Eureka did open up. They are fishing and catching some bass.
Sophie and Carpenter are open up there also.
The Thompson Chain Lakes are still starting to open up. I would give it another week or so and they should be completely open to put the boats on.
Bitterroot and Ashley were still frozen over, but the shorelines were starting to go and getting some open water on them.
The Flathead River on the upper section near Columbia Falls is fly fishing well with streamers and small nymphs. Be sure to check the regulations on the Flathead river that does stay open year-round with strict regulations depending on what section you are on.
Many of the sloughs on the Flathead River are ice free now
Flathead Lake in the East Bay has some perch being caught but still slow look for some warm 50 to 60 degree days for those perch to move in. On the North End the Delta the river mouth fishing well for big fish in that 15 to 30 ft water with whole P mouth or northern pikeminnow on the bottom. West Shore State Park to painted rocks trolling with Brad’s Super baits doing well. Try 150ft and 180 feet of depth of water.
Some other rivers to check out that stay open your around with some stricter regulations. For example, the Swan River below Swan Lake and Whitefish River North of Highway 40. Always be sure to check the regulations before going out
More from Snappy’s Sport Senter in Kalispell here: https://www.snappysportsenter.com/blog/fishing-report-03-31-2021
