With the Fourth of July holiday on Wednesday, there could still be heavier-than-normal crowds over the weekend as people get the chance to extend their vacation and enjoy themselves.
Those still wanting to fish the salmonfly hatch can visit the upper Madison River, the Gallatin near the park, the upper Yellowstone and the Gibbon River.
Ackley Lake continues to fish well for trout and tiger muskie, while the Bighorn River is offering good nymph and streamer fishing.
Here’s The Gazette’s weekly report: Â
Top picks
Ackley Lake — It is fishing alright for tiger muskie and trout. For tiger muskie, pull crankbaits in 10 feet of water. The muskies have been ranging in length from 30 to 44 inches. For trout, troll little spoons. At Petrolia Lake anglers are doing well for big perch and 12-14 inch walleye. For both species, jig in 10 feet of water. — Sport Center, Lewistown.
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Bighorn River — Flows were dropped over the weekend and as of Monday were at 12,167 cfs, which is down about 2,000 cfs from the peak. Water clarity remains 6-8 feet. Soap Creek is no longer an issue as most of the snow melt is gone and we have not had any significant precipitation for the last few days. The water temperature decreased a bit to 52.7 degrees. Streamer fishing still remains good. Best streamer patterns have been white/pearl Zonkers, Sherick's Hatchery Smolt, and Foxy Fry (all in size 6). Nymph fishing has been very good as crustaceans are still being dislodged with the higher flows. Hot patterns include Pete's Carpet Bug tan, Firebead Soft Hackle Sowbug tan and Firebead Soft Hackle Ray Charles tan (all in 14-16), trailed behind either orange or red Gummi (Squirmy) San Juan Worms. — Bighorn Fly and Tackle Shop, Fort Smith.Â
Canyon Ferry Reservoir — Rainbow trout are being caught from shore throughout the reservoir using worms, spinners, and jigs. No report from rainbow trout boat anglers. Walleye and yellow perch are being caught throughout the reservoir trolling worm harnesses, tipped with worms or leeches, in 5 to 35 feet of water. Walleye and perch are also being caught from shore throughout the reservoir in 10 to 25 feet of water using jigs (standard and floating) or slip bobber rigs tipped with worms or leeches. — FWP, Helena.
Fort Peck Reservoir, Hell Creek — Fishing has been great for walleye. Pitch toward the bank with a jig in 2 to 4 feet of water or bottom bounce 27- to 30-feet deep with worms or leeches. A good presentation is Slow Death hooks with a bead and worm. Pike fishing is hit or miss. A 43-inch northern, along with 36.5-inch northern, were both caught last Friday. — Hell Creek Marina.
Hauser Reservoir — Rainbows and walleye are being caught below Canyon Ferry Dam while using jigs tipped with a worm or leech in the eddies or slack water areas. Walleye and perch are being caught in the Causeway while trolling bottom bouncers and worms. — FWP, Helena.
Montana
Beaverhead River — It is fishing well. PMD hatches are finally going. PMD spinner patterns are effective in the afternoons. Extended-body PMD and Tim’s Sparkle Spider will work. Organza Spinners are another good choice. PT Cruisers are still working and some are using Headlight Sallies as Yellow Sallies are out. Splitbacks are another option. — Frontier Anglers, Dillon.
Big Hole River — It is fishing well with a lot of dry-fly action. There are lots of mayfly hatches. PMDs, BWOs and green drakes are out. We are at the tail end of the big golden stones but fish are still looking for them. Purple and red Chubbies are effective. Large Parachute Adams have also been producing. Lime Trudes will work as yellow Sallies are out. For nymphs, T-Bur Stones are a fine choice, as are Pat’s Rubber Legs and purple Prince Nymphs. — Frontier Anglers, Dillon.
Bighorn Lake, Ok-A-Beh — Smallmouth bass have consistently been biting. — Afterbay Contact Station.
Boulder River — It is clear and beginning to come down. Dry fly opportunities are beginning to turn up with a few golden stoneflies emerging, as are a few yellow Sally. There are not many rising fish yet, but fishing a Bullethead Golden Stone dry can be productive at the heads of deep pools. Fish a worm or rubberleg dropper below the dry for more action. Nymph fishing the soft water on deep seams has been most productive. We've had good luck with Double Beaded Golden Stone patterns, Pat's Rubberleg patterns, Montana/Bitch Creek Nymphs as well as San Juan Worm patterns. — Sweetcast Angler, Big Timber.
Cooney Reservoir — Fishing for walleye has been very good from boat and shore. From shore, fish leeches on a floating jighead 1-2 feet from the bottom. On the boat, troll Rapalas really slow. For walleye, the best time to fish seems to be 6 p.m. to midnight. At both inlets, use a small jig and a half crawler and jig off the side of the boat. Trout fishing is slow. Those catching them are trolling cowbells tipped with a crawler. For trout, try trolling in the Fisherman’s Point area and Red Lodge campground across the lake to the north shore. One could target the edges of the brush for crappie. — Boyd Store and Trading Post.
Deadman’s Basin — Fishing was slow from the bank and boat and the wind chased many anglers off the reservoir over the weekend. The water is murky around the shorelines and the basin is full. — Cozy Corner Bar, Lavina.
Fort Peck Reservoir, Big Dry Arm — The northerns are at 20 feet deep and anglers are doing OK. At the point of Rock Creek fish are showing up at 40 feet. Anglers are catching smallmouth bass using crankbaits. Walleye are also hitting crankbaits. Perch, chartreuse and a rust gold color are good patterns. — Rock Creek Marina.
Fort Peck Reservoir, Crooked Creek — Fishing is a little slow as the water is stained. Over the weekend the water levels were up 3 feet from where they were the previous week. There is clearer water in the narrows. The fish are there, but they aren’t biting. The few walleye, bass, crappie and perch being caught are 3 to 20 feet below the boat. The northerns are at a depth of 12 feet. Use bottom bouncers and jigs. Darker colors were working best. Anglers are using worms, minnows or leeches. Surface water temps are 67 degrees. Bank anglers in the bay are catching a few northerns and catfish on smelt or worms. — Crooked Creek Marina.
Fort Peck Reservoir, dam area — For lake trout, fish the face of the dam in 80 to 110 feet of water using downriggers and spoons. For walleye, action is mostly in the Pines area on crawlers in 10 feet or less of water. For northerns, pull crankbaits. — Lakeridge Lodging & Bait Shop.
Fort Peck Reservoir, Fourchette Bay — Action has been good for all species. Water clarity seems to clear toward Timber Creek. — Westside Sports, Malta.
Gallatin River — The salmonflies have moved up through the canyon and are settled in around the park. The water below the hatch still has good numbers of fish looking up though. Downsizing your fly to a big Caddis or a smaller Chubby Chernobyl will find fish. The fish are still tucked in tight to the banks, so as you wade work the soft water as close to the rocks and undercuts as you can. Wading is still tough, so be careful. Nymphing can be a good option, as well. Try working small stuff through the deep water. Lightning Bugs, Pheasant Tails, or Hare’s Ears (12-18) will work. — Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.
Hebgen Lake — Fishing slowed this week, with many reports of people averaging one fish per hour. Still, anglers are catching browns and rainbows over 20 inches on a variety of tackle, from nymphs to spoons. The best fishing is still in shallower water, less than 20 feet deep. However, some anglers are also having luck trolling in deeper water, especially with spoons with red coloring. — Kirkwood Marina.
Holter Reservoir — Rainbow fishing is good while trolling cowbells or crankbaits from Split Rock to Holter Dam in 10 to 20 feet of water. Shore fishing for rainbows is slow. Perch are being caught around Juniper Bay, Black Beach and Split Rock while using a jig and worm in 10 to 20 feet of water. Walleye are being caught in these same areas while using perch pattern crankbaits or jigs. — FWP, Helena.
Madison River, Lower — It has been on the drop daily and is down below 2,100 cfs; this could be the end of the high water. The fishing was solid. The name of the game has been Crayfish trailed by smaller droppers. Dropping a smaller Yellow Sally nymph beneath these bigger patterns can be deadly. Caddis are out and about in the evenings, along with an abundance of White Millers. A size 16 olive Caddis or tan Snowshoe Caddis will work. There are also substantial amounts of Yellow Sallies and Golden Stones. A Chubby dropper rig will get into a few fish worked tight to the bank during the day. On these cooler, cloudy days, look to the soft water for rising fish. Good dropper nymphs include PMD nymphs, Caddis Pupa, and small Stonefly nymphs. Fish are being caught in a variety of places. There are many fish being caught on the bank chasing small mayflies, like PMDs and Caddis. Be careful out here as the water is getting warm, and by the end of the day the fish are stressed. If you're going to fish streamers, try white or a Kreelex  worked tight to the bank. — Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.
Madison River, Upper — The upper is back down to 1,410 cfs coming out of Hebgen. The West Fork is no longer pumping in mud. Salmonflies are moving up the upper and there have been sightings from Ennis all the way up to Raynolds. With lower water flows the fish are looking up with better consistency. If you are going to fish slower deep water, try a dry dropper rig with either a salmonfly nymph or smaller PT under it. Good patterns are small Pheasant Tails, Lightning Bugs, Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ears, Serendipity, or an RS2 if nymphing. Seek the softer water and work it until you find them. If big stuff is not working, don't be afraid to downsize. Don't overlook the water you'd normally wade through. Fish often push fish tight to the banks. We have had a few reports of success throwing streamers shallow up near Three Dollar Bridge. The low bridges are easily passable. — Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.
Martinsdale Reservoir — Martinsdale, Bair and Sutherlin are all fishing decent. Bank anglers are using PowerBait, worms, crawlers or cutbait. From boats, troll spinners or cowbells and spinners, Flatfish or Wedding Rings. — Ray’s Sport and Western Wear, Harlowton.
Missouri River, below Holter — The river is coming down little by little and the flow was 14,100 cfs and water temps were 62 degrees on Monday. Fishing is fine nymphing. There is still no dry fly activity. A Zirdle or Pat’s Rubber Leg on top and a Tailwater Scud or a Splitback PMD underneath will work. A few have caught trout on streamers. There are plenty of bugs, but trout aren’t looking up yet. Below Hauser is dirty, but fishable with three feet of visibility. The creeks are starting to clear up, and now the river below the Dearborn is fishing. — Montana Fly Goods, Helena.
Missouri River, Fred Robinson Bridge — The mosquitoes are thick, so most anglers have been going to other spots. Those venturing here are still catching a few catfish. — Sport Center, Lewistown.
Nelson Reservoir — Walleye fishing has been hit and miss. Fish seem to be at 25 to 35 feet. Pulling bottom bouncers with worms, leeches or minnows has been the go to. Pink, blue and purple seems to be the best colors. Smallmouth and crappie fishing has been good in the weeds using spinner baits. — Westside Sports, Malta.
Rock Creek — Rock Creek is finally dropping. As of Monday the main body of Rock Creek, which is Red Lodge North to Joliet, is still high and fast, however current flows offer a fly angler a few more holding spots than there were a week ago. Rock Creek’s three main tributaries which are The West Fork, Lake Fork and Main Fork could be an anglers best bet over the next week or two. Recommended dry fly patterns during the transition are tan Caddis, Parachute Adams, Purple Haze as well as your standard Royal Wulff, Royal Trude or Royal Coachman. Most of these patterns can be fished in a size 12-16. A Parachute Madam X in Yellow or Royal can be effective stonefly adult patterns fished in sizes 8-12, plus they float like a charm in high water. The nymph fishing is still an anglers best bet. Standard nymph patterns to fish include stonefly nymphs like Rubber Legs, North Fork Specials in black or tan as well as, Bitch Creeks or the good old-fashioned Girdle Bug. Most stonefly nymphs are fished in sizes 8-12. Additional nymphs include standard Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ear as well as red or chartreuse Copper Johns, Montana Princes in blue, or the always effective Batman Nymph. These nymphs are fished in hook sizes 12-16. Streamers can work well on Rock Creek throughout the entire season fishing Sparkle Minnows, The Grinch or Krystal Flash Buggers in black or olive. — East Rosebud Fly Shop, Billings.
Spring Creek — It is dirty, but clearing. Spinners are working. A beadhead Pheasant Tail or black nymphs would probably work. — Sport Center, Lewistown.
Stillwater River — Flows dropped substantially to around 3,500 cfs, but are still running swift. While the entire river is floatable, the river above Absarokee is probably the best bet as far as clarity and more manageable flows. It will likely continue to fluctuate in response to weather patterns. Water temperatures are still cold, so nymphing continues to be the best option, with black, brown and coffee colored rubber leg patterns like Girdle Bugs and Pat’s Rubber Legs, or a San Juan Worm as well as similar colored stonefly patterns along with a beadhead trailer fly like a Prince Nymph, Hare’s Ear, Batman or Pheasant Tail. In off-color water, use a color contrast of darker color patterns like black Buggers or the Grinch either dead drifted or stripped. It’s also time to start thinking about fishing big dry flies like a Chubby or PMX with a beadhead nymph dropper in the softer inside water. As flows drop and the water warms, fish should start hitting the big dry fly. FYI, the Stillwater River road remains closed at Midnight Canyon. — Stillwater Anglers, Columbus.
Tiber Reservoir — Patience is the key. Anlgers are catching quite a few smaller walleye mixed in with 14- to 16-inch walleye. Pull crawler harnesses. Some are bottom bouncing or pulling crankbaits. Minnows are first choice if an angler can find them. The marina does not have minnows at this time. Crawlers and leeches are working. The water is really high and is expected to slowly rise through mid July. — Ru’s Tiber Marina.
Tongue River Reservoir — Crappie are biting, along with bass and walleye. The bass are up to 3 pounds. The walleye are eating-sized. For crappie, use jigs and minnows. For bass, throw crankbaits. — Pryor Creek Bait Co., Laurel.
Yellowstone River, Columbus — Although on the drop after the recent surge from big rains in the high country, it is still running extremely high and off-color through Columbus. Clarity is improving, but it’s still likely a few weeks away from being ready to fish. It continues to be dangerous and is best to stay away from completely. Search out lakes, smaller tributaries and tailwaters until runoff subsides. — Stillwater Anglers, Columbus.
Yellowstone River, Huntley — The only boat access available as of last weekend was Manuel Lisa. Captain Clark, Bundy Bridge, and Voyagers Rest are inaccessible. Mixed reports from shore anglers, with some cats being caught on cut bait or worms. Anglers are fishing the Bighorn or putting in at Manuel Lisa and boating up the Yellowstone. — TeamMinnowBucket.com.
Yellowstone River, Livingston — The river has some clarity along the banks now. It is flowing at 10,800 cfs in Livingston. There are salmonflies out from Carbella to Point of Rocks and we would not be surprised if they will be out any day above Yankee Jim Canyon. — Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop, Livingston.
Yellowstone River, Miles City — Still high and muddy. A few anglers are fishing the small area ponds and catching rainbow trout, largemouth bass and perch. — Red Rock Sporting Goods, Miles City.
Wyoming
Bighorn Lake, Horseshoe Bend —The south narrows are producing 3 to 6 pound channel cats on worms. The Crooked Creek bay is producing 2- and 3-pound black crappie and the Horseshoe Bend Fishing Dock is producing a fair number of smallmouth bass. — Horseshoe Bend Marina.
Bighorn River, Thermopolis — The flow was at 7,000 cfs over the weekend. Boat traffic is minimal. Boaters can’t get under the Sixth Street Bridge in Thermopolis due to the high flows. The water is very murky. — White Horse Country Store & Canyon Sporting Goods, Thermopolis.
Boysen Reservoir — At the recent Wyoming Walleye Stampede tourney, 230 walleye were caught and released. During this past week anglers have continued to catch walleye and perch. The water level is decreasing. — Boysen Lake Marina.
Buffalo Bill Reservoir — With all the wind over the weekend, fishing pressure was light. The water clarity and water levels have improved and boats can be launched. Lake trout were biting Eppinger orange spoons with black dots in 2/5-ounce size. Orange with black stripes Jake’s lures were also working in ¼-ounce size. Upper and Lower Sunshine Reservoirs are fishing well, but the fish out of the upper reservoir are 16 inches and under. On Lower Sunshine, Thomas Cyclone and Little Cleo spoons are working, as are Panther Martin for fat splake. — Rocky Mountain Discount Sports, Cody.
Clarks Fork — It is still really high.— North Fork Anglers, Cody.
Cody-area lakes — East Newton is fishing well on Damsel Flies, Scuds, small Leeches and lake Caddis. Spinners have been ¼ ounce. Black bodies with gold blades, like Panther Martins, are also working. West Newton is also fishing well. Woolly Buggers, beadhead Damsel Nymphs and Prince Nymphs are working. Lure and bait fishing is allowed at West Newton. Luce Reservoir is fishing well; use the same flies or spinners recommended for East Newton. Hogan is fishing well on Damsels, Scuds, Leeches, Flying Ants and small dark Beetles. — North Fork Anglers, Cody.
Lower Shoshone — The flow is above 6,000 cfs and the river is muddy. — North Fork Anglers, Cody.
North Fork of the Shoshone — It is starting to fish well from Newton Creek up. Fish tandem nymph rigs. A Stonefly with a dropper is working. A Bloody Mary or North Fork Special in black or tan will work as a dropper. There is not much for dry fly hatches yet. The South Fork is still running over 1,000 cfs. — North Fork Anglers, Cody.
Yellowstone National Park — The Firehole River, which has been fishing well, should continue until temperatures start heating up. PMDs and White Millers are still the main hatches here and Starling & Peacock, PTs and Nick's Brown soft hackles all continue to take fish. The days for the Firehole are numbered, so if you want to fish this river one more time before it gets too warm now is the time. The Gibbon River below the falls has also fished well over the past week and attractor patterns like Royal Trudes, Parachute Adams and Stimulators with a Pheasant Tail dropper have been the way to go here. There are a few salmonflies still hanging around the falls area. Slough, Lamar and Soda Butte are still out of the picture for a little while. — Blue Ribbon Flies, West Yellowstone.
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