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 starting to open up, but the water is cold and high and fishing is tough.
Fly Fishermen should try stonefly nymphs, good patterns would be Halfbacks or Pat's Rubber Leggs.
Spin Fishermen should try small Mepps or Panther Martin Spinners in Gold or Copper.
Worms fished in the deeper holes will also be effective.
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek and Tensleep Creek and their tributaries)
Bighorn mountain streams are starting to open up, but the water is cold and high and fishing is tough.
Fly Fishermen should try stonefly nymphs, good patterns would be Halfbacks or Pat's Rubber Leggs.
Spin Fishermen should try small Mepps or Panther Martin Spinners in Gold or Copper.
Worms fished in the deeper holes will also be effective.
Mountain Lakes:
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)
Most high-altitude lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness are still frozen, but some of the lower altitude lakes and reservoirs are starting to open up.
Tie-Hack is now open and accessible.
Fly Fishermen could try small nymphs, good bets would be Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, and Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs.
Spin Fishermen could try small spinners, fly and a bubble, or worms.
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)
Most high-altitude lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness are still frozen, but some of the lower altitude lakes and reservoirs are starting to open up.
Tie-Hack is now open and accessible.
Fly Fishermen could try small nymphs, good bets would be Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, and Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs.
Spin Fishermen could try small spinners, fly and a bubble, or worms.
Prarie Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)
Lower elevation sections or area streams are open, however conditions are tough. Stream flows are up and the water is off color. These streams are still fishable in slower pools and along the edges, be very careful if wading as high flows can be dangerous.
Fly Fishermen should try Stonefly Patterns like Pat's Rubber Leggs or Halfback. Wooly Buggers and Streamers can be effective at times.
Spin Fishermen could try small gold or silver spinners, or with worms fished in deeper holes.
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)
Lower elevation sections or area streams are open, however conditions are tough. Stream flows are up and the water is off color. These streams are still fishable in slower pools and along the edges, be very careful if wading as high flows can be dangerous.
Fly Fishermen should try Stonefly Patterns like Pat's Rubber Leggs or Halfback. Wooly Buggers and Streamers can be effective at times.
Spin Fishermen could try small gold or silver spinners, or with worms fished in deeper holes.
Lake Desmet:
Lake DeSmet is starting to pick up. There has been some sizable Lake Trout being caught lately by trollers.
Fly fishermen should try small nymphs, good patterns would be Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ear's, and Prince Nymphs.
Spin Fishermen may have luck with Powerbait fished off the bottom, good colors are Rainbow Glitter, and Sherbet Glitter.
Boat Fishermen may have luck trolling with worm harnesses, small cowbells trailed with a nightcrawler, or Krocodile Spoons.
Lake DeSmet is starting to pick up. There has been some sizable Lake Trout being caught lately by trollers.
Fly fishermen should try small nymphs, good patterns would be Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ear's, and Prince Nymphs.
Spin Fishermen may have luck with Powerbait fished off the bottom, good colors are Rainbow Glitter, and Sherbet Glitter.
Boat Fishermen may have luck trolling with worm harnesses, small cowbells trailed with a nightcrawler, or Krocodile Spoons.
Prairie Lakes and Ponds:
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
Muddy Guard Reservoirs are fishing pretty well right now.
Fly Fishermen should try small midge larvae (#18-#20) and chironomid patterns (#12-16). There have been some sporadic Callibaetis Hatches on warm afternoons, try a Hare's Ear Nymph or Parachute Adams when they fish are turned onto these Mayflies.
When it is sunny and warm the fish are going deeper into the water column, they have been holding 10'-20'. A full sinking line might be helpful getting down to the fish.
Spin fishermen could try Lil' Jakes or Kastmaster Lures.
Fishing at Healy Reservoir is starting to pick up as the weather is warming.
Perch can be caught with worms, small jigs, or small spinners. Try Spinner Baits for Bass and large Swim baits and Crank baits for the Tiger Musky.
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
Muddy Guard Reservoirs are fishing pretty well right now.
Fly Fishermen should try small midge larvae (#18-#20) and chironomid patterns (#12-16). There have been some sporadic Callibaetis Hatches on warm afternoons, try a Hare's Ear Nymph or Parachute Adams when they fish are turned onto these Mayflies.
When it is sunny and warm the fish are going deeper into the water column, they have been holding 10'-20'. A full sinking line might be helpful getting down to the fish.
Spin fishermen could try Lil' Jakes or Kastmaster Lures.
Fishing at Healy Reservoir is starting to pick up as the weather is warming.
Perch can be caught with worms, small jigs, or small spinners. Try Spinner Baits for Bass and large Swim baits and Crank baits for the Tiger Musky.
January thru Memorial Day
