Winter isn’t letting go yet—Whitefish Lake remains locked up with lake trout cruising deep structure, while the Flathead River rewards anglers who time it right. Here’s what’s producing now, from white tubes tipped with cutbait on the ice to nymphs and streamers in late-winter river water.

The 2026 Kalispell Wolf Banquet is set for February 28 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell. Expect a hearty meal followed by games, raffles packed with prizes, and an auction with bid-worthy items. Here’s what to know and how to plan ahead.

Last week’s extreme cold and heavy snow dramatically thickened ice across NW Montana, opening up access to some larger lakes. With a warmer, wetter 7-day forecast (highs in the low 40s, lows near 30, possible rain), conditions could change fast—plan carefully and stay current on ice safety.