Please check the fishing regulations before fishing.
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Jefferson River Fishing info by Fins and Feathers (December 14, 2024)
2/5
Winter has a pretty strong grip on the Jefferson river which has really slowed down the fishing. Lots of shelf ice has formed due too low flows and slow moving water.
There are definitely some better options but if you find yourself on the Jefferson Nymphing will be the way to go. Try a red worm as your lead fly followed by a small Perdigon in dark colors. Add some split shot to ensure getting down quickly.
Fresno and Nelson Update by Brian Olson (December 12, 2024)
Roger’s and Smith Lake Ice Update (December 17, 2024)
“5” on smith lake. Probably more been a couple days. 4” on Smith as of 12/17” (via Montana Ice Fishing)
Tongue River Reservoir via Tongue River Reservoir State Park (December 12, 2024)
The warm weather and windy days earlier this week is keeping the ice from growing. We have open water from Rattlesnake Pt north with some ice here and there. There is some ice south of Rattlesnake Point but I am uncertain about how safe it is. I would guess 2-3″ but the shoreline seemed thin.
No major changes in the weather forecast at this point. We will try to do weekly updates.
Hell Creek General Recreation Information (December 18, 2024)
Click here: www.HellCreekRecreation.comCLICK HERE for Hell Creek webcam.
Georgetown Lake Ice Update (December 17, 2024)
“Was there today. Great clear ice, no slush, 7 inches.
Saw fisherman in every bay and the pump house” (via Montana Ice Fishing)
Gallatin River Fishing Report via Fins and Feathers (December 14, 2024)
3/5
This weekend and the start to next week is gonna be pretty cold and snowy but the later half of next week is looking like a great weather window to get out on Montana’s Gallatin River! Nymphing the deep slow holes is going to be the name of the game for the next few months. There is a chance for a small midge hatch here and there on the warm cloudy days.
Try fishing a tandem nymph rig with a small Pat’s Rubber Leg or a red worm as your lead fly followed by a small dark or flashy Perdigon pattern like a Spanish bullet. Setting your indicator around 5’ is a good starting point. Make sure to focus on the deep water moving at around walking pace. We like to add some split shot about 10” above our top fly to ensure getting down quickly.
You can get an idea of the water conditions in the Big Sky area by viewing this webcam, hosted by our friends at Montana Whitewater.
Roger’s Lake Ice Update (December 13, 2024)
“5 inches of ice on Roger’s Lake. Slow fishing but managed to bring in a couple nice Grayling. Catch and release. Fun to catch.” (via Flathead Valley Fishing Report)
Yellowstone River Fishing Report by Bozeman Fly Supply (December 18, 2024)
Fishing on the Yellowstone is finally starting to slow down with the cooler temperatures, and pretty much all the good reports we have been hearing from the Yellowstone river have been from Carters bridge to Livingston. Fishing has been more consistent with nymphs and streamers as of late with stoneflies, worms, eggs, prince nymphs, green machines, hare’s ears, bead baetis, blowtorch’s, and Duracell’s having the spotlight. Dry fly fishing can also be a good option too with midges being key. For dry flies, if you see fish rising we would throw a buzzball or a griffith’s gnat. As far as streamers go, some of the bigger flies have been working better for us with the double gonga, sex dungeon, Drunk and Disorderly, Schultz’y sculpin, Sluggo’s, and swim coach’s being our best flies as of late.
Suggested Fly Patterns
- Dry FlySweetgrass Hopper (8), Henneberry hopper grey (12), Thunder Thighs hopper Yellow/Tan (10), Donkey Kong hopper pink/tan (10-12) Parachute Adams (16-20), Purple Haze (16-18), Buzz Ball (14-16), Corn fed Caddis (14-16), X-Caddis (14-16), Parachute PMD (14-16), Extended Body PMD (14-16), Larimer’s Yellow Sally (12-14), Water Walker (8-12), Chubby Chernobyl (8-16)
- StreamerWoolly Bugger (4-12), Ditch Witch Black/red/purple/ Yellow/white(2), Mini Peanut Envy Black/Yellow/Tan (6) Mini Dungeon Black/purple /Olive/Yellow (6), Montana Intruder (4), Sparkle Minnow JJ’s/Silver/Sculpin (4-8), Double Gonga Black/Rainbow (4), Sculpzilla Black/White/Olive (4-8), Seasoned Geezer Gold/Natural/Olive (6)
- NymphPat’s Rubber Legs (6-12), Zirdle Bug (6-12), Perdigon Blue/Purple/Pearl (14-18), Jig thread Frenchie Brown/yellow (14-18), CDC Pheasant Tail (10-18), Jigster PMD (14-18), Formerly Known Prince Nymph (10-18),
Flint Creek Fishing Report by Flint Creek Outdoors (December 15, 2024)
With the cold overnight temps Flint Creek has started to ice up around the edges. Get out there before its fully locked up! Nymphing and streamers have been the way to get them out there.
Please respect all private property and fishing signs. At the corral on the Johnson Tuning Fork spot if the sign is up please find another spot to access.
See below for our tips on fishing Flint Creek near Philipsburg, Montana.
Here are a few tips for fly fishing Flint Creek:
1. Try nymphing in deep pools or under the banks.
2. Fish a single dry on the bank or the bubble lines.
3. Try swinging a streamer or a soft hackle through the ripples.
Here are a few fly suggestions:
1. Kreelex – Gold and Copper size 6
2. TJ Hooker – Brown and Black size 12
3. TJ Hooker – Tan and Brown size 12
4. PMD, size 12-14
5. Jig Frenchie – size 14,16
6. Spanish Bullet – black size 14,16
7. Pheasant Tail Nymph size 16-20
Flows and looking ahead:
Flow: 57 cfs at the time of publishing this report
Here is a link to the Flint Creek USGS Water Information.
Stop by the shop in Philipsburg for the latest report and for everything you need for your trip. We are open Thursday through Monday 7am-4PM and 7am-11am Tuesday and Wednesday. Tight lines!
Lake Helena Ice Update (December 16, 2024)
“Drove by Lake Helena today and four were on the ice out from the boat dock. Causeway is almost all open water except by the shore line! Of course open by the bridge!” (via 406 Ice Fishing)
Southwest Montana Fishing Overview by Montana Angler (December 13, 2024)
Winter is here on our local rivers near Bozeman and Big Sky. Check out a recent blog post on Winter Fly Fishing Tips That Go Beyond Just Dressing Warm and then go fishing! That doesn’t mean we have hung up the waders and the rods until March. In fact, many of our rivers can fish quite well in winter…just have to pick wisely and fish at the appropriate times. Rivers like the Yellowstone and Madison can fish well in winter, but the comfort factor of staying warm and functionable in cold conditions often dictates how good the fishing can be–if you are comfortable and can fish through the cold and are prepared for it, you should find some success.
Most local Bozeman fly fishing guides, if not all of them, have stored their boats for the winter and are spending time exploring local waters on foot. Winter is a good time to fish a river a little more intimately. Because trout are going to be in deeper and slower pools, fishing more thoroughly in a long slow run will be the best tactic. Fly fishing in winter isn’t meant to be rushed. It is a time to slow down, enjoy the environs, and treat the fish as a bonus. With winter now fully set-in here in Montana nearly all dry fly fishing is over except for the random right-place, right-time midge action. Check out some of our blogs that cover winter fly fishing: Winter Fly Fishing Options Around Bozeman, 5 Tips to Improve Your Fly Fishing with Streamers, and Winter Fly Fishing in Montana: The Only Flies You Will Ever Need.
Overview
Most of our fishing guides have put up the oars for the season but as long as the snow doesn’t fall too deep or the temps get too cold, there is still fishing to be had. Most likely you can have the river to yourselves as mostly only local anglers are left on the water and even then a good portion of them are out chasing 4 legged creatures to fill the freezer. By and large the program will be nymphing as well as some streamer action. If you get the right day some dry fly action can be had.
On a mild winter day you might be lucky enough to run into some rising trout feeding on midges. Even freestone streams like the Gallatin will produce some sporadic midge hatches. If the hatch isn’t too strong dries that imitate single midges are more productive such as a palomino pattern. On tailwaters like the Missouri River the midge hatches in the winter can be thick in the late morning and the insects will cluster together so many of the patterns such as the Griffiths gnat that imitate these “rafts” of insects can out produce single insect patterns.
Hatches
Most, if not all, of the hatches are done for the season. As the water temps gradually get colder and colder, expect the intensity of the hatch to dwindle. Midges are going to be the only hatch of the next several months. On most freestone rivers the trout are going to eat subsurface rather than rise to midges. The exception to this is on the Missouri River near Wolf Creek and Craig where the tailwater fishery can produce some excellent midge hatches on a warm December day.
Fly selection
With the onset of winter the fish will take advantage of the still somewhat warmer water temps and feed heavily at times to get that last bit of bulk on before they go into maintenance mode. So fish your largish attractor nymphs like sculpins, rubber legs, worms, leeches, eggs, crayfish, etc. with confidence. But don’t forget about small mayfly nymph patterns or midge larvae and pupa patterns as well. A Zebra midge is a great option for fly fishing the Upper Madison River in May.
Beadhead Little Green Machines in olive or natural in sizes 16 to 22
Firebead or hot bead SJ wormies in sizes 8-12
Beadhead Perdigons in natural, olive, peacock, black, in sizes 16 to 22
Sawyer Pheasant Tails in sizes 16 to 22
Home Invaders in darker/contrasting colors in size 2 – 10
Sculpzillas in black, olive, or brown in size 2- 10
Sparkle Minnows in a variety if colors in size 2 – 10
Your favorite go-to streamer pattern
Reading water
Streamflows can vary by river in winter in the Bozeman and Big Sky areas. Check your water temps via the river reports page as temps can vary from location to location by quite a lot depending on where the water is coming from, ie. the high country, a dam, low elevation spring creek, etc. This can help you determine the most likely place the fish will be holding. A good general rule in winter is that most fish will be holding deeper and slower runs and holes compared to fall or summer. Where the fish are holding, and feeding, is the most important aspect of fishing during the winter months.
Generalities
Winter time water levels are always on the low side and there is a lot of definition to the water. The key to winter fishing is finding slower holding water and fishing in the afternoon when water temperatures are at their peak.
Fly selection
Fly selection is simple in the colder months. If there is a midge hatch choose your favorite midge dry or cluster pattern. Palamino midges and Griffith’s gnats are good enough. For sub surface try a rubber legs, egg or worm pattern on top and a smaller midge larva or baetis nymph on bottom.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Report by Yellowdog Fly Fishing (December 18, 2024)
Flow Data: Missouri River below Holter Dam near Wolf Creek, MT
Still excellent fishing weather for this time of the year. Other than the extreme and gusty winds that are overtaking the state on Wednesday. Warm weather for the weekend however. Temperatures above 50 expected Friday- Sunday in Craig. Fishing also remains very good. Nymphing will still be hot, but it will be tough to keep the ice out of your guides. Dry fly action has dropped off. Some fish may rise to midges if you are lucky. If you find fish rising and present them with a Parachute Adams, or midge cluster, or Griffith’s Gnat. Tailwater Sowbug is tough to beat now. A scud will work too. Midges will also probably work. Worms will work all winter. Swinging soft hackles has given way to bugger, small streamers and leeches. Doesn’t hurt to try a streamer. Smaller will be better. Buggers. Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex, or Skiddish Smolts are also excellent choices.
White Sulphur Springs Ice Update (December 17, 2024)
“Unless we have a sudden deep freeze, not until the new year.
weather.gov is your friend folks. Here’s the current 7-day forecast for WSS:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php…” (via Montana Ice Fishing)
Chancy and Dave’s Fish Camp Fishing Report (December 12, 2024)
Chancy and Dave’s Fishing Report
Rodgers Lake- Froze 3-4” of good ice, catching nice grayling and a few cutts. Try small JT Tackle ice bugs or small ratfinkies.
Smith Lake- 3” of ice, a few nice perch and some small pike.
Lynch Lake- Froze, 3-4” of ice. Lots of small pike.
Lower Stillwater- Froze- No Reports
Blanchard Lake- Froze- No Reports
Flathead River- Still good whitefish action, few trout.
Koocanusa- Excellent rainbow action, try trolling Rexford to the long bridge.
Blackfeet Reservation- Several lakes opened back up due to warm temps and wind.
BE SAFE OUT THERE
Ice Expo Saturday- Seminars- Free Lunch- Give aways
Flathead Valley Fishing Report by Snappy’s Sport Senter (December 12, 2024)
- Flathead River – Whitefish are still in the river, but the bite is slowing a bit. Still some good numbers being caught by Old Steel Bridge though.
- Echo Lake – Ice continues to form, NOT SAFE!
- Church Slough – Ice forming, NOT SAFE!
- Smith Lake – 4-5 inches of ice. Been a good pike bite using larger tungsten jigs with waxies or maggots. A few perch being picked up on tip-ups as well.
- Rogers Lake – 4-5 inches of ice. Reports of a few Greyling being caught around 8-10ft using forage minnows and maggots. The cuttie bite is slow.
- Dog Lake – 3 inches, watch for springs!
- Ferndale Horseshoe Lake – 1.5 inches, NOT SAFE!
- Blanchard Lake – 2 inches of junk ice, NOT SAFE!
- Lion Lake – Half frozen over, NOT SAFE!
- Halfmoon Lake – 4 inches of ice. Lots of small perch and pumpkin seed being caught on small tungsten jigs and maggots.
- Lake Five – 2.5 inches of soft ice, NOT SAFE!
- Reminder no matter the thickness… “No Ice is Safe Ice”
Bozeman Fishing Reports by Fins and Feathers (December 14, 2024)
Our nice weather window has closed for the weekend but next week’s weather is looking solid for fishing the rivers and streams around Bozeman Montana!
The name of the game in the winter will be nymph fishing for the most part. Sticking with a fairly basic winter fly menu. San Juan worms and rubber legs will be staple top fly patterns, we are dropping small dark Perdigon style droppers of those tops flies. The canyon section on the Gallatin River will be a good nymphing option for the winter.
It’s possible we will see some sporadic dry fly hatches in the next month as well as the later half of the winter. Wait for the warmer overcast days before you dig your dry fly box out. The Lower Madison can be a good section for dry flies.
McWennager Slough Ice Report (December 15, 2024)
“Hey guys, please stay away from McWennager slough in Kalispell for the time being, the ice is junk and there have been 2 incidents there already of people falling through, stay safe out there” (via 406 Ice Fishing)
Kootenai River Fishing Report by Linehan Outfitting (December 9, 2024)
This Kootenai River Montana fishing report is being brought to you by Orvis Endorsed Linehan Outfitting. This report will be updated weekly to provide current conditions, weather, hatches, patterns, and flows to our local waters and across the state.
Flows from Libby Dam: 4000cfs
Water temperature at Libby Dam: 42 degrees
Hatches: midge, baetis
patterns: zebra midge, parachute Adams, parachute pmd, Rosenbauer’s olive rabbit foot emerger, purple haze, purple chubby, red chubby, olive sparkle dun,bh prince, soft SJ worm, bh pheasant tail, bh rubber legged stonefly, big streamers in white, pink and olive, circus peanut, black conehead buggers
It’s not quite spring up here in Kootenai River country but we have good news. Flows from Libby Dam have been reduced and will be stable at 4000cfs through the end of March for now. That means there’s some great early season fishing available right now.
Expect more clammy cloudy weather through the weekend and into next week. March continues to come in like a lion and we’ve yet to see the lamb. Rain and snow mix will dominate forecast. Fortunately daytime temps will ooch into the forties which is at least a small sign of spring around here.
At the moment the river is clear and in good shape. Don’t expect much in the way of dry fly fishing and insect activity until we get some substantially warmer daytime temperatures. The water is still cold but trout will start to feed a bit in the coming weeks.
This is always a good time of year for nymphing. With low flows you don’t need a heavy rig. You just need to get the flies down in softer runs and pools where trout are most likely to be holding this time of year. Don’t spend a ton of time fishing fast riffles.
Streamer fishing is also productive this time of year especially since bigger fish will be hungry after laying low for a couple months during the dead of winter. Keep in mind they will not necessarily want to move too fast or too far to get a meal. Get your streamers down and fish them slowly and erratically. Nothing like a wounded minnow to get a big rainbow interested in at least a sniff.
In Boston Red Sox news, it’s PLAY BALL! After several weeks of a lockout the players union owners have finally come to an agreement. Spring training will start immediately and while opening day was and remains delayed until April 7, the season will still be 162 games. For now the Sox have managed to keep essentially the same playoff roster they had last season. Infielders Dalbec, Arroyo, Bogaerts, and Devers are key players. In the outfield Jackie Bradley Jr. has returned to Boston and Kike Hernandez and Verdugo will anchor the deep green. Ace Chris Sale will hopefully be healthy and other starters from last year will hopefully pick up where they left off in October. Go Sox!!!
Give a call anytime if you need more Kootenai River details or information on any of our hunting or fishing adventures. And please check out our e-commerce site for all Linehan Outfitting branded swag and Orvis gear. https://linehan-outfitting.myshopify.com/
We look forward to hearing from you. 406-295-4872
Gallatin River Fishing Report by Montana Angler (December 13, 2024)
Winter fly fishing in the Big Sky and Bozeman area on the Gallatin River is as consistent as any winter fishery as any in the area. Additionally, the flows on the Gallatin River in winter are low, which means the fish are concentrated in the deeper runs, pockets, and holes. Because the Gallatin River is low you will need to cover a lot of water when you fish. If you fish a deep run or hole and catch a few fish, consider moving up to the next run or hole. With the low and clear flows on the Gallatin River right now fishing subsurface is the best way to get into fish at the moment.
