Spring is starting to wake up the water around northwest Montana—and according to the crew at Chancy’s Fish Camp, anglers are finally seeing more open water and improving fishing conditions. While a few lakes still have lingering ice, many popular spots are opening up and already producing fish (from early smallmouth bass to lake trout and rainbows).

Report date: March 5, 2026 (via Chancy’s Fish Camp)

Key Takeaways

• Echo Lake is fully open and already kicking out a few nice smallmouth bass.
• McGregor Lake is open with small lake trout jigging deep and some solid rainbows trolling shorelines.
• Flathead Lake is fishing well for lake trout (jigging and trolling); the delta bite is still going.
• Flathead River sloughs (Fennon, Church, McWennergar) are open, but note a no-boats restriction at Church until mid-April.
• Koocanusa Reservoir is producing rainbows and bull trout; fast trolling with larger plugs is the call.
• Some waters still have ice—conditions are changing daily, so use caution if you’re still heading out on it.

NW Montana Fishing Report: What’s Open and What’s Biting

Echo Lake

• Status: All the way open
• Bite: Catching a few nice smallmouth bass already

McGregor Lake

• Status: Open
• Lake trout: Catching small lake trout jigging in 60′ water
• Rainbow trout: A few nice rainbows trolling shoreline lines

Flathead River sloughs (Fennon, Church, McWennergar)

• Status: All open
• Important: Church has a no boats restriction until mid-April
• Fennon: Open but low water; catching a few nice largemouth

Flathead Lake

• Overall: Fishing well for nice lake trout
• Jigging: West shore area down to the Shelter Island area
• Trolling: Working well with large plugs or flashers and flys or Brad’s Super Baits
• Delta: Still fishing well with dead bait or throwing large white tube baits
• Watch for: Perch soon in East Bay

Koocanusa Reservoir

• Bite: Fishing well for rainbows and bull trout
• How: Troll large plugs fast in gold or purple colors
• Where to launch: Peck Gulch, Rocky, and the Dam

Thompson River

• Bite: Fishing well about half way down the river
• Species: Some nice browns and a few brookies
• Reminder: Be sure to check your regulation on the river

Ice & Safety Note

Many of the area’s lakes still have a little ice on them and can be safe to be on, but conditions are changing daily. If you’re still trying to get on the ice, please be careful.

Related Reading

• More Montana fishing reports and bite updates
• Flathead Lake fishing: seasonal patterns, access, and tips
• Kokanee salmon: what to know before you go
• Ice fishing safety: changing conditions and smart checks
• Montana fishing regulations primer: what to check before you fish
• Early-season boating checklist for Montana lakes

FAQ: NW Montana Early Spring Fishing

Which NW Montana waters are reported as open right now?

As of this report, Echo Lake and McGregor Lake are open, and the Flathead River sloughs (Fennon, Church, McWennergar) are open.

Is Echo Lake producing fish yet?

Yes. Chancy’s Fish Camp reports Echo Lake is fully open and anglers are catching a few nice smallmouth bass already.

What’s the McGregor Lake pattern mentioned in this report?

Jigging in 60 feet of water is producing small lake trout, and trolling shoreline lines is turning up a few nice rainbows.

Are there any restrictions for the Flathead River sloughs?

Yes. The report notes that Church has a no-boats restriction until mid-April.

How is Flathead Lake fishing and what lures are working?

Flathead Lake is reported to be fishing well for lake trout. Jigging is producing along the west shore down to the Shelter Island area, and trolling is working with large plugs or flashers and flys or Brad’s Super Baits. The delta is still producing with dead bait or large white tube baits.

What’s the Koocanusa Reservoir update?

Koocanusa is reported to be fishing well for rainbows and bull trout. The suggested approach is fast trolling with large plugs in gold or purple, with launches noted at Peck Gulch, Rocky, and the Dam.

What’s happening on the Thompson River?

The Thompson River is reported to be fishing well about halfway down the river, with some nice browns and a few brookies. Anglers are reminded to check regulations.

Is ice still a concern in northwest Montana?

Yes. The report says many lakes still have a little ice, but conditions are changing daily—so use caution if you’re still heading out on the ice.

Photos via Chancy’s Fish Camp.