Today’s Bighorn Mountain Trail and Snow Conditions
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 10,000'. 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. If there is good water clarity the fish will be looking up, and dry flies will be effective, good patterns would be Parachute Purple Haze, Stimulators, or Royal Trudes.
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 10,000'. 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. If there is good water clarity the fish will be looking up, and dry flies will be effective, good patterns would be Parachute Purple Haze, Stimulators, or Royal Trudes.
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)
Most Bighorn Mountain Lakes are open up to 10,000' elevation, and fishing is good.
Fly Fishermen should try small nymphs like Red Fox Squirrel, Hare's Ears, or Pheasant Tails also, Elk Hair Caddis, Ant and Beetle Patterns may be effective at times.
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)
Most Bighorn Mountain Lakes are open up to 10,000' elevation, and fishing is good.
Fly Fishermen should try small nymphs like Red Fox Squirrel, Hare's Ears, or Pheasant Tails also, Elk Hair Caddis, Ant and Beetle Patterns may be effective at times.
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. Also, small streamers and Wooly Buggers will be effective at times.
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. Also, small streamers and Wooly Buggers will be effective at times.
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, Rapalas, or Worm Harnesses. Folks are fishing with large Flatfish lures on downriggers for Lake Trout.
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, Rapalas, or Worm Harnesses. Folks are fishing with large Flatfish lures on downriggers for Lake Trout.
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, chironomids, and balanced leeches 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, Spinner Baits, 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, chironomids, and balanced leeches 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, Spinner Baits, or large Jigs.
For Tiger Muskies, try large Rapalas, or Large Mepps Bucktail Spinners.
General Info:
The Bighorn Mountains are mostly snow and ice free above 10,000' elevation.
Meadowlark Ski Lodge and Antelope Butte Ski Area are closed for the season.
The Bighorn Mountains are mostly snow and ice free above 10,000' elevation.
Meadowlark Ski Lodge and Antelope Butte Ski Area are closed for the season.
Forest Service Road Conditions:
Most Forest Service roads are open and accessible.
Most Forest Service roads are open and accessible.
Cloud Peak Wilderness Trails:
Most trails are are still snowed in above 10,000' elevation, but the snow is melting fast and many routes will become accessible soon.
Most trails are are still snowed in above 10,000' elevation, but the snow is melting fast and many routes will become accessible soon.
Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes:
Cloud Peak Wilderness lakes are still frozen above 10,000' elevation, but more will be opening up soon with continued warmer weather.
Cloud Peak Wilderness lakes are still frozen above 10,000' elevation, but more will be opening up soon with continued warmer weather.
Snow and Skiing Conditions:
Backcountry snow conditions are pretty marginal for skiing, but there are some good snowfields available above 10,000'.
Meadowlark Ski Lodge and Antelope Butte Ski Area are closed for the season.
Backcountry snow conditions are pretty marginal for skiing, but there are some good snowfields available above 10,000'.
Meadowlark Ski Lodge and Antelope Butte Ski Area are closed for the season.
January thru Memorial Day
