State biologists are searching the data records hoping that Montana earns the distinction of oldest bass caught and released! If you are fishing in the South end of Flathead Lake, Rocky Point has been doing well, and in the North, Painted Rocks to Caroline Point, but there aren’t too many places the Whitefish aren’t. I was delighted with two of the largemouth weighing in from three to four pounds. Well, since 1914 when the state planted bass in Horseshoe Lake, near Big Fork. What Garrett's bass lacked in weight he made up for in age. Looking for somewhere else to go? And now, you have a darned good reason! And then the fishing continues all the way down the Clark Fork River to Noxon Reservoir, which although narrow, snakes up the river for thirty-five miles. The lake trout in Flathead Lake can reach monstrous sizes, frequently exceeding twenty-pounds. ... Trophy Lake Trout, Walleye and Northern Pike are caught almost every day. Tip ups, bait, and fish cleaning is included on our guided trips, and you have the opportunity to take home pounds and pounds of fillets if you so choose. My son Brandon and I went to a pike infested lake on the Flathead Reservation. After quite a spell of worrying about getting back across the lake with wind swept whitecaps, we decided to hug the shore on this small lake. Yes, it is true that bass have a slow growth rate here in Montana because of the cold winters, and sometimes they have poor spawning conditions during the spring conditions, but smallies from one to two pounds are common, and three and four pound largemouth are not uncommon. Reservation fishing requires a tribal fishing permit, and all the waters on the reservation, except Flathead Lake, are restricted to 15 hp outboards. All along this stretch, anglers can also fish for pike, which can reach twenty pounds. Smith Lake 3-4in of ice. On our half day, full day or twilight charters, we target the largest mackinaw while using the lightest tackle – this provides you with challenging fun as you feel the weight of your prize trout as you reel him in. monster this fall on a 8 weight fly rod and last fall our sous chef caught a 49″, 28 lb. I spotted a promising spot about sixty yards down from them where a willow struggled to survive on a shallow slide at the base of the cliff. Warmwater fishing, especially pike and perch fishing, accounts for 15 percent to 20 percent of the effort nowadays, Vashro said. If you want to float a section of pristine river with sandstone cliffs, wooded islands with towering Ponderosa pines, grasslands separating forests of evergreens and towering mountains in the background, do it in the spring and you will also have solitude and the absence of humanity. In fact, it ’ s our favorite time of year to fish. Fish for 20 pound Mackinaw Trout or for huge Northern Pike, Whitefish, and Cutthroat Trout in Whitefish lake. Summer is considered to be the prime fishing time in the Flathead. Every riffle was the same. Fishing techniques can be trolling, jigging, or dead bait rigs to get the fish of your dreams. Northern Pike are not something you can catch in Flathead Lake, but a short drive in any direction will take you to a … I did note, however, that on our approach to their boat one of the men flipped up a large towel that sat on a cooler. I will not embellish the fishing. The Pike and Perch are most active, and people are reporting good days. Area waters also provide fishing opportunities for grayling, brook trout, lake trout, perch, pike, bass and whitefish. They knew what they were doing, and it wasn't a random search through their lure box in the hopes that something big, or something shinny would give them a strike. It is that time of year that Flathead Lake Whitefish are biting and we thought we would do some digging and lend some tips of lures and techniques. The lake itself offers excellent fishing, but not necessarily for fly fishing. Koocanusa Lake Fishing - Flathead Valley Montana. By the time we got to the boat launch, my son had caught a number of nice pike with a white spinner bait. In my piscatorial prowling around the state of Montana searching for trout, I mistakenly overlooked a great fishery--bass fishing! On my second fish, and due to my excitement, I had not realized that I was in a long, back-water eddy that, although compressed and elongated, stretched for almost a hundred yards. The northern pike is Montana’s lone representative of the pike family. Instead I stuck a smallmouth that fought like an 18-inch trout. Brandon caught about fifteen fish with his method. Clearly, I wasted a lot of time fishing slow water sections that looked promising to me. The river is wide and frequently quite deep. Resolution Guide Service is a unique fishing charter service that can target a diverse range of fish species with amazing accuracy. Anglers are allowed six lines each on Peck, so tip ups can be staged in multiple depths in different locations. Standing in the pram, I nailed three or four scrappy bass. The bottom line is that Lake Trout are, by far, the fish that most anglers choose to fish for. Some of these species would include: Lake Whitefish, Northern Pike, Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Perch. When they saw me, off they would speed to the next hot spot. Howe's offers tours and fishing at Fort Peck. Flathead Lake. The deepest part of the lake is 370 feet while the average depth is 164.7 feet. I was thrilled, but every time I got to a promising spot after twenty or thirty minutes of floating, I found the father and sons. If your dream is to catch a “Trophy Lake Trout” and experience Flathead Lake or maybe hike the trails and view wildlife on Wild Horse Island, Captain Mike … This lake is 122,251 acres in size. Upper Stillwater Lake is located in Flathead County, Montana. When I float this stretch again next year, I will camp out on one of the islands and make the adventure a two-day fishing tip. We followed their advice and had one hell of a day, but their method has piqued my curiosity because they showed us a photograph of a 12-pound pike they had just caught as they were coming into the launch site. We asked for suggestions, but they were fairly vague. Lake trout fishing has been good in the Yellow Bay area from a 200 to a 240 foot depth for the smaller best eating fish. It was great fishing, and I can't tell you how many bites I missed. Trout from the North and Middle forks start to m igrate down into the main stem of Flathead on their way to Flathead Lake wintering grounds. Most days, you won’t see another angler as your guides spread clients across sections of the lake. The bass limit, which applies to both largemouth and smallmouth, is five fish daily. It is native to Montana only in the Saskatchewan River drainage on the east side of Glacier Park. Fly fishing for pike in Montana can be a little bit of work. I apologized and said I would leave. This lake is 592 acres in size. When ice fishing in Montana, you’re only allowed to have two lines in the water at once on any given lake. So, how long have the bass been in Montana? Flathead Lake Whitefish are the largest of the whitefish species in Montana and can be up to 10lbs! We strive to provide you with a fishing experience that you will remember for a lifetime. I stubbornly worked a jerk bait in this weed infested water. Looking down the river, I spotted one of the boats up against a large sandy cliff. Large spoons that are either silver-and-red or gold-and-red work well. Chase Averill caught a 46″, 31lb. Coming to Montana, you know you’ll see iconic prairie land, Rocky Mountain peaks, and spectacular wildlife. Montana’s Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake boasting one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. During the summer of 2012, I floated the Flathead River from Buffalo Bridge to the Sloan Bridge, which is a long stretch of the river running through the Flathead Reservation east of Ronan, Montana. I put on a white spinnerbait with a chartreuse skirt. Call now: 406-257-5214. Manning the oars and sneaking in a cast without snaring my Labrador or burying a fly in my neck is a real challenge. dandy. The Flathead River begins at the confluence of the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead River. Explore and fly fish the legendary waters of Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.  Find out when to come, what equipment to bring, browse blog articles, and more, Some of the world's most famous rivers are found in Southwest Montana including the Madison, Bighorn, Yellowstone, Bighole, Beaverhead, Gallatin and Jefferson, Central Montana is best known for the Missouri River tailwater and Smith River Canyon but many other lesser known gems are also found here, The rivers in the Missoula region include favorites such as the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Rock Creek and the Blackfoot, Northwestern Montana is home to the Kootenai tailwater and several great back country rivers including the headwaters of the Flathead River system, Montana's best gulper fishing over the calibaetis hatch can be found on lakes such as Hebgen and Ennis in Southwest Montana, Some of Montana's largest lakes such as Canyon Ferry are found in Central Montana and are home to some large trout along with warmwater species, Western Montana is home to some great stillwater fishing including Georgetown Lake, Northwest Montana is home to some huge lakes such as Flathead Lake and Hungryhorse Reservoir, Yellowstone National Park is home to some of the West's most hallowed fly fishing waters such as the Lamar, Yellowstone, Gardiner, Firehole, Madison and Slough Creek to name a few, Glacier National Park is not as famous as Yellowstone for trout fisheries but it does have some special backcountry gems, Montana fishing changes by the season. You never have to leave the pavement! 1-10-2015 Whitefish Lake 1-10-2015 37″ giant over 20# Kids love ice fishing. However, plan on a long float. Again, when one of the men saw me, he flipped up the towel to cover their methodical method for searching patterns. Good trout fishing will begin in the Flathead in early spring, as the mayfly hatches begin in March. All you need to do is show up with your fishing license and let Captain Mike and his guides handle everything else. His insight was too strip that spinnerbait as fast as he could. The Flathead River System offers hundreds of miles of pristine waterways, while Flathead Lake is a scenic and recreational mecca. A good average fish on Fort Peck Reservoir will be somewhere in the 30″ range and weigh in at 8-12lbs. Learn about fly fishing on Montana's Blue Ribbon rivers and streams. I went through a long, turbulent riffle in my river pram with my good buddy, Buddy, sitting on the front deck. Each of the three forks of the Flathead River (North, South, Middle) is discussed separately in their own sections, as each fork is a distinct river. Weighing in at 8.8 pounds and 22.5 inches, this fish provides a pointed contrast to ten-year old Garrett Frost who caught a 3.5 pound largemouth on one of the sloughs of the upper Flathead River. If you are interested in catching a trophy Lake Trout and trout fishing Montana, Jeff Rach’s Flathead Lake Charters is the outfit to help you succeed. Whitefish are common on Flathead Lake, too. We have an option for almost any angler, so why not give us a call and discuss your ultimate Fort Peck vacation! If you have heard of Fort Peck, then you probably know that this is one of the most remote, under pressured, big fish fisheries in the Lower 48. The Flathead system is one of the last strongholds for bull trout. Howe's Fishing specializes in all things Flathead lake. Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Largemouth Bass Food. They had been drifting up and down for an hour catching one bass after another. There are many lakes to fish within the Flathead Valley. While a fully guided day or days on the ice are the most popular option, many anglers choose to hire us for a half day to just get to know the lake and the techniques, and then strike out on their own for the remainder of their stay. From there I moved to a section of the Clark Fork River below Thompson Falls. This is truly a one stop, full service experience, offering a range of services and guided fishing never before available on Fort Peck, and we are proud and eager to offer this opportunity to our valued guests! They were in deep, slow water. The lake is busy throughout the summer with anglers who try for that trophy Mackinaw, salmon, yellow perch, pike or bass. I didn't know what to think of it. Research how conditions change based on time of year, Weather in the Rockies in famous for its fickle nature, Find out what rods, reels and line setups are appropriate for Montana waters, Information related to Montana's primary towns as gateways to great fishing, Information on rates for Montana fishing licenses as well as Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Articles and book reviews related to fly fishing in Montana and surrounding National Parks, About Montana Angler, site sponsor for glaciertoyellowstone.com, Five Tips for Fishing Montana Spring Creeks, The Salmonfly in Montana: The Five Truths About the Hatch, A Smorgasbord of Insects in Western Montana. They would motor at full speed from one good spot to another and not waste time on non-productive waters. As fall reaches the Flathead Valley the temperatures once again start to cool but the fishing on the Flathead River start s to heat up. With killer sizes of over 20lbs in some cases, the lake has varieties of huge fish such as a lake trout, rainbow trout, pike… Bass eat a wide variety of foods. I was told twelve hours, and that's about what it took me. Bass fishing on Flathead Valley’s lakes is a good alternative to spring run-off and is a unique experience. In 2016, we began offering guided trips, including ICE FISHING out of the Lakeridge Lodging and Bait Shop, only minutes away from the Fort Peck Dam, Glasgow, Montana and US Highway 2. I wasted a good amount of time fishing non-productive water. The fish species in the lake consist primarily of lake trout, pike, yellow perch and whitefish, with some rainbow trout, bass, kokanee salmon and bull trout also found. The water was still high so I pitched a small tube bait on the edge of a seam hoping to catch a rainbow. Flathead Lake offers fishermen trolling by boats and fishing from banks with a choice of trout, whitefish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and perch. As the day progresses, you have the choice of jigging for Lake Trout, sitting in one of our spear houses, or just monitoring tip-ups as you ride around the lake on ATV’s chasing that next flag. Flathead is over 27 miles long and over 15 miles at its widest point and covers 191 square miles. I dropped anchor and dragged the 20-pound lead anchor to the bottom of the riffle before I landed the bass. Be sure that you have a map because you will be meandering around in wide, open ranch country. In fact, each day begins by checking the overnight sets, and it is rare to not have a couple of flags flying to greet you as your morning begins! Flathead Lake specifically offers excellent lake trout fishing opportunities. After quite a spell of worrying about getting back across the lake with wind swept whitecaps, we decided to hug the shore on this small lake. I looked up to see the other boat floating right next to me as I worked my way up alongside the cliff and they worked back down. Later that afternoon we decided to fish the Flathead River. When we took out, we met some other anglers who had done really well on the larger pike. Rogers Lake 2-4in of ice here also. Try trolling the large lakes, like Flathead Lake, between April and June or between October and November. The last stretch ends up in Dixon, Montana. Oh, my goodness, when I stood up I spooked a half dozen fish swimming in three feet of water. Whether it is Walleye, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Paddlefish or more, you won’t find a more knowledgeable and eager group of guides ready to ensure your success on this huge body of water. The Delta area at the North end has been producing many large lake trout and an occasional pike or bull trout. If it felt like he picked up a weed, he would crank harder and then set the hook. This stretch, and the two floating stretches below Sloan Bride are equally as long. Many an angler, while reeling in a cutthroat, has had a large bull trout come up and take possession of the cutthroat. If fishing on the southern half of the lake, you’ll need a tribal fishing permit, as it’s on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Here too I caught largemouth and smallmouth bass on spinner baits, Senko worms and small tube baits. Well, here at Howe’s Fishing, we have changed all of that. Flathead Lake . One final thought on pike fishing. Although everything you need is included on our fully guided trips, if you have your own electronics and jigging rods, we suggest you bring that which you are comfortable with. This 126,000 acre lake has a reputation of trophy Lake trout, Northern pike, & Bull trout. For bait, try salmon eggs or worms for great results. ... Howe's Fishing specializes in all things Flathead lake . Lake Trout and Lake Whitefish are both fall spawners, and will begin to move towards their October-November spawning grounds very soon. Time to fish for those "warm-water" species in Montana! Pale morning duns, blue-winged olives and others are very important at this time of year. Be sure to check your regulations for river fishing now though. My son Brandon and I went to a pike infested lake on the Flathead Reservation. Trout fishing is catch-and-release and pike must be over 24 inches to keep. 1-10-2015 Another giant. I rowed out of the current, jumped up and made my first cast. The last couple falls have been great fishing off the shores of Flathead Lake as can be witnessed by the two pike caught the last two years by staff. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Lake Trout, Northern Pike… The Mindt family also owns and operates the Lakeridge, offering motel rooms, cabin rentals and RV spots. The store sells gas and groceries and has a fine tackle selection, featuring all the items your guides use on your trip. 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