Today’s Bighorn Mountain and Buffalo Area Fishing Report
Mountain Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek and Tensleep Creek and their tributaries)
Bighorn mountain streams are opening up and are ice free below 9000'. Water levels are up, but there is decent clarity and most streams are fishable in slower running sections.
Fly fishermen will have luck with a variety of nymphs. Good bets would be Pat's Rubber Leggs, Halfbacks, and trail a smaller Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, or Copper John.
Spin fishermen may have luck with small spinners, like Panther Martin or Mepps. Or with worms fished in the deeper pools and runs.
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek and Tensleep Creek and their tributaries)
Bighorn mountain streams are opening up and are ice free below 9000'. Water levels are up, but there is decent clarity and most streams are fishable in slower running sections.
Fly fishermen will have luck with a variety of nymphs. Good bets would be Pat's Rubber Leggs, Halfbacks, and trail a smaller Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, or Copper John.
Spin fishermen may have luck with small spinners, like Panther Martin or Mepps. Or with worms fished in the deeper pools and runs.
Mountain Lakes:
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)
Lower Elevation Lakes and Reservoirs are opening up and are starting to fish. Tie Hack Reservoir and Sherd Lake are open and ice free, Long Lake, Ringbone Lake, and Meadowlark Lakes are thawing around the edges and should be ice free in the next week or so.
Fly Fishermen should try small nymphs like Red Fox Squirrel, Hare's Ears, or Pheasant Tails.
Spin Fishermen should try small Panther Martin or Mepps Spinners or Jake's Lures. Also, a fly and bubble rig will also be effective if the fish are hitting on top. Worms fished deep or below a bobber will also be effective.
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)
Lower Elevation Lakes and Reservoirs are opening up and are starting to fish. Tie Hack Reservoir and Sherd Lake are open and ice free, Long Lake, Ringbone Lake, and Meadowlark Lakes are thawing around the edges and should be ice free in the next week or so.
Fly Fishermen should try small nymphs like Red Fox Squirrel, Hare's Ears, or Pheasant Tails.
Spin Fishermen should try small Panther Martin or Mepps Spinners or Jake's Lures. Also, a fly and bubble rig will also be effective if the fish are hitting on top. Worms fished deep or below a bobber will also be effective.
Prarie Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)
Lower elevation streams are seeing some higher water, but clarity remains pretty good. Fishing is good in slower sections, and pools and runs.
Fly fishermen will have luck with a variety of nymphs. Good bets would be Pat's Rubber Leggs, Halfbacks, and trail a smaller Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, or Copper John.
Spin fishermen may have luck with small spinners, like Panther Martin or Mepps. Or with worms fished in the deeper pools and runs.
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)
Lower elevation streams are seeing some higher water, but clarity remains pretty good. Fishing is good in slower sections, and pools and runs.
Fly fishermen will have luck with a variety of nymphs. Good bets would be Pat's Rubber Leggs, Halfbacks, and trail a smaller Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, or Copper John.
Spin fishermen may have luck with small spinners, like Panther Martin or Mepps. Or with worms fished in the deeper pools and runs.
Lake Desmet:
Lake DeSmet is now open and folks are fishing.
Anglers are reporting some luck using Jake's Lures in the shallow bays, or with Power Bait fished off of the bottom..
Boat fishermen may have luck trolling with Krocodile Spoons, small Rapalas, or worm harnesses.
Fly Fishermen should try small nymphs like Pheasant Tails or Hare's Ears, or small streamers or Wooly Buggers.
Lake DeSmet is now open and folks are fishing.
Anglers are reporting some luck using Jake's Lures in the shallow bays, or with Power Bait fished off of the bottom..
Boat fishermen may have luck trolling with Krocodile Spoons, small Rapalas, or worm harnesses.
Fly Fishermen should try small nymphs like Pheasant Tails or Hare's Ears, or small streamers or Wooly Buggers.
Prairie Lakes and Ponds:
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
Muddy Guard Reservoirs are Fishing well.
Fly fishermen should try small midge pupae, and chironomids fished below an indicator or with large streamers fished deep.
Spin Fishermen might try Jake's Lures or Panther Martin Spinners.
Healy Reservoir is fishing very well.
Anglers are doing well catching Perch with Worms fished off of a Crappie rig.
Bass Fishermen are seeing some action with Crankbaits, Wacky Worm rigs, or Large Jigs.
For Tiger Muskies, try large Rapalas, or Large Mepps Bucktail Spinners.
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
Muddy Guard Reservoirs are Fishing well.
Fly fishermen should try small midge pupae, and chironomids fished below an indicator or with large streamers fished deep.
Spin Fishermen might try Jake's Lures or Panther Martin Spinners.
Healy Reservoir is fishing very well.
Anglers are doing well catching Perch with Worms fished off of a Crappie rig.
Bass Fishermen are seeing some action with Crankbaits, Wacky Worm rigs, or Large Jigs.
For Tiger Muskies, try large Rapalas, or Large Mepps Bucktail Spinners.
January thru Memorial Day
