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 open, but are running heavily with runoff. The water may have enough clarity to fish, but most fishing will need to be focused on slower, lower gradient sections.
Fly Fishermen should try a variety of Beadhead Nymphs, Pat's Rubberlegs, Halfbacks, Prince Nymphs and other larger Stonefly Patterns should be effective.
Spin Fishermen could try small Panther Martin, Mepps, or Rooster Tail Spinners. Or fish with worms in slower, deeper runs.
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek and Tensleep Creek and their tributaries)
Bighorn mountain streams are open, but are running heavily with runoff. The water may have enough clarity to fish, but most fishing will need to be focused on slower, lower gradient sections.
Fly Fishermen should try a variety of Beadhead Nymphs, Pat's Rubberlegs, Halfbacks, Prince Nymphs and other larger Stonefly Patterns should be effective.
Spin Fishermen could try small Panther Martin, Mepps, or Rooster Tail Spinners. Or fish with worms in slower, deeper runs.
Mountain Lakes:
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)
Mountain Lakes are open and accessible up to an elevation of around 10,000'. Fishing is good, fish are taking small nymphs, good bets would be a Guides Choice Hares Ear or Pheasant Tail, also small traditional dry flies like Adams, Mosquito, or Renegade will also be effective at times. Smaller Ant and Beetle Patterns would also be worth a try.
Spin fishermen could try small gold or silver Panther Martin, Mepps, or Rooster Tail spinners or small Kastmasters or Jakes Lures. Also a Fly and Bubble Combo is also a good bet when the fish on the top.
Also worms or powerbait fished off the bottom will be effective.
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)
Mountain Lakes are open and accessible up to an elevation of around 10,000'. Fishing is good, fish are taking small nymphs, good bets would be a Guides Choice Hares Ear or Pheasant Tail, also small traditional dry flies like Adams, Mosquito, or Renegade will also be effective at times. Smaller Ant and Beetle Patterns would also be worth a try.
Spin fishermen could try small gold or silver Panther Martin, Mepps, or Rooster Tail spinners or small Kastmasters or Jakes Lures. Also a Fly and Bubble Combo is also a good bet when the fish on the top.
Also worms or powerbait fished off the bottom will be effective.
Prarie Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)
Lower elevation streams have high water and are off-color. Many areas will be blown-out and tough to fish. Concentrate your efforts along the edges and in slower eddies.
Beadhead Nymphs can be effective at times, good bets would be Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, Prince Nymphs, and Pat's Rubber Legs. Also, try a flashy Wooly Bugger or Streamer in the same areas.
Helpful Tip: Remember light colors will be effective during bright sun conditions and dark colors when it is cloudy or low light.
Spin fishermen should try small Panther Martin or Mepps Spinners, or fish worms in the deep holes.
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)
Lower elevation streams have high water and are off-color. Many areas will be blown-out and tough to fish. Concentrate your efforts along the edges and in slower eddies.
Beadhead Nymphs can be effective at times, good bets would be Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, Prince Nymphs, and Pat's Rubber Legs. Also, try a flashy Wooly Bugger or Streamer in the same areas.
Helpful Tip: Remember light colors will be effective during bright sun conditions and dark colors when it is cloudy or low light.
Spin fishermen should try small Panther Martin or Mepps Spinners, or fish worms in the deep holes.
Lake Desmet:
Lake DeSmet is warming up and fishing is good at times.
Fly Fishermen should try Beadhead nymphs or small Wooly Buggers. Good bets would be Prince Nymphs, Damsel Nymphs, or Balanced Leeches.
Spin Fishermen should try Rainbow Powerbait fished off the bottom or try casting with a Jakes Lure.
Boat Fishermen should try trolling with Rapalas, Krocodile Spoons, or very slowly with worm harnesses.
Lake DeSmet is warming up and fishing is good at times.
Fly Fishermen should try Beadhead nymphs or small Wooly Buggers. Good bets would be Prince Nymphs, Damsel Nymphs, or Balanced Leeches.
Spin Fishermen should try Rainbow Powerbait fished off the bottom or try casting with a Jakes Lure.
Boat Fishermen should try trolling with Rapalas, Krocodile Spoons, or very slowly with worm harnesses.
Prairie Lakes and Ponds:
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
These reservoirs are open and fishing is picking up.
At Muddy Guard try Streamers deep, or Damsel or Callibaetis Nymphs or Chironomids, or Ice Cream Cones.
At Healy, fish with worms on a Crappie Rig for Perch, Large Black Jigs, Popping Bugs for Bass, Large Silver Spinners or Spoons for the Tiger Muskies.
Fly Fishermen could try large Streamers with Perch colorations.
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
These reservoirs are open and fishing is picking up.
At Muddy Guard try Streamers deep, or Damsel or Callibaetis Nymphs or Chironomids, or Ice Cream Cones.
At Healy, fish with worms on a Crappie Rig for Perch, Large Black Jigs, Popping Bugs for Bass, Large Silver Spinners or Spoons for the Tiger Muskies.
Fly Fishermen could try large Streamers with Perch colorations.
General Info:
Lower elevations are generally snow free, but there is still substantial snow above 10,500'.
Lower elevations are generally snow free, but there is still substantial snow above 10,500'.
Forest Service Road Conditions:
Most Forest Service Roads are now mostly snow free and accessible now. There will be snow and wet/muddy condtions on higher elevation routes.
Most Forest Service Roads are now mostly snow free and accessible now. There will be snow and wet/muddy condtions on higher elevation routes.
Cloud Peak Wilderness Trails:
Most Cloud Peak Wilderness trails are now open and accessible, there is substantial snow above 10,500' elevation. Creeks are running high with snow melt, so use extreme caution when crossing these streams.
Climbing of Cloud Peak, Bomber Mountain, or other popular summits above 10,000' are going to be difficult due to exceptional snowpack. Snowshoes, skis with climbing skins, or crampons are recommended.
Most Cloud Peak Wilderness trails are now open and accessible, there is substantial snow above 10,500' elevation. Creeks are running high with snow melt, so use extreme caution when crossing these streams.
Climbing of Cloud Peak, Bomber Mountain, or other popular summits above 10,000' are going to be difficult due to exceptional snowpack. Snowshoes, skis with climbing skins, or crampons are recommended.
Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes:
Cloud Peak Wilderness lakes are frozen above 10,500' elevation. More will open up with continued warm weather.
Cloud Peak Wilderness lakes are frozen above 10,500' elevation. More will open up with continued warm weather.
Snow and Skiing Conditions:
Meadowlark Ski Area is closed for the season. Backcountry is still skiable, but is thin and rocky.
Meadowlark Ski Area is closed for the season. Backcountry is still skiable, but is thin and rocky.
January thru Memorial Day
