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)
Mountain streams still flowing well and fishing is very good.
Attractor dry flies will be effective. Specific patterns aren't really important, so pick you favorite. Good bets would be Stimulators, Royal Trudes, Humpys, Parachute Madam X, or Chubby Chernobyls. Try a "Hopper/Dropper" rig and trail a small beadhead nymph behind your attractor.
In the early morning and late afternoon hours there may be a sporadic Caddis Hatch and/or Blue Wing Olive Hatch. Elk Hair Caddis and Parachute Adams will be the ticket during those times.
Worms or small spinners may be successful for spin fishermen.
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek and Tensleep Creek and their tributaries)
Mountain streams still flowing well and fishing is very good.
Attractor dry flies will be effective. Specific patterns aren't really important, so pick you favorite. Good bets would be Stimulators, Royal Trudes, Humpys, Parachute Madam X, or Chubby Chernobyls. Try a "Hopper/Dropper" rig and trail a small beadhead nymph behind your attractor.
In the early morning and late afternoon hours there may be a sporadic Caddis Hatch and/or Blue Wing Olive Hatch. Elk Hair Caddis and Parachute Adams will be the ticket during those times.
Worms or small spinners may be successful for spin fishermen.
Mountain Lakes:
Most all Bighorn Mountain Lakes are open and fishing is good.
Fly fishermen could try small nymphs like Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, or Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs. Also Ant and Beetle patterns or Attractors like Chernobyl Ants may be effective at times.
Spin Fishermen should try small spinners, Fly and Bubble Rig, or worms.
Most all Bighorn Mountain Lakes are open and fishing is good.
Fly fishermen could try small nymphs like Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, or Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs. Also Ant and Beetle patterns or Attractors like Chernobyl Ants may be effective at times.
Spin Fishermen should try small spinners, Fly and Bubble Rig, or worms.
Prarie Streams:
Fishing is good. Fly Fishermen should try Beadhead Nymphs, good patterns would be Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs and Pheasant Tails. Grasshopper patterns should be effective during the day if the weather is warm, and be on the look out for a Caddis Hatch or Blue Wing Olive Hatch in the early morning or evening hours. Elk Hair Caddis and Parachute Adams will be the ticket during those periods.
A "Hopper/Dropper" rig will be effective at times.
Spin fishermen will have success with small spinners, in gold, silver or copper or with worms fished in deeper pools.
Fishing is good. Fly Fishermen should try Beadhead Nymphs, good patterns would be Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs and Pheasant Tails. Grasshopper patterns should be effective during the day if the weather is warm, and be on the look out for a Caddis Hatch or Blue Wing Olive Hatch in the early morning or evening hours. Elk Hair Caddis and Parachute Adams will be the ticket during those periods.
A "Hopper/Dropper" rig will be effective at times.
Spin fishermen will have success with small spinners, in gold, silver or copper or with worms fished in deeper pools.
Lake Desmet:
Boat fishermen should try trolling with spoons, Rapalas, small cowbells, or worm harnesses. Also streamer flies trolled can be very effective in the fall.
Bank fishermen should try Powerbait fished off the bottom, the bay at the south side of the Monument area seems to be consistently productive.
Boat fishermen should try trolling with spoons, Rapalas, small cowbells, or worm harnesses. Also streamer flies trolled can be very effective in the fall.
Bank fishermen should try Powerbait fished off the bottom, the bay at the south side of the Monument area seems to be consistently productive.
Prairie Lakes and Ponds:
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
Healy Reservoir is fishing pretty well right now. Try worms fished off the bottom, black or olive jigs or spinner baits. There may be some topwater action for Bass along weedlines and flooded timber. Large streamers or spoons may be effective for the Tiger Muskies.
Fishing at Muddy Guard #1 is starting to pick up, try Wooly Buggers, Olive Streamers, or Crawdad patterns. Damsel Nymphs and Backswimmers may also be effective at times.
Spin fishermen could try worms, salmon eggs or Powerbait where it is allowed, or casting with spinners or spoons.
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
Healy Reservoir is fishing pretty well right now. Try worms fished off the bottom, black or olive jigs or spinner baits. There may be some topwater action for Bass along weedlines and flooded timber. Large streamers or spoons may be effective for the Tiger Muskies.
Fishing at Muddy Guard #1 is starting to pick up, try Wooly Buggers, Olive Streamers, or Crawdad patterns. Damsel Nymphs and Backswimmers may also be effective at times.
Spin fishermen could try worms, salmon eggs or Powerbait where it is allowed, or casting with spinners or spoons.
General Info:
Late Summer and Fall conditions are setting in for the season.
The Aspens are turning color right now and it is beautiful.
Archery Hunting Season is in full swing and many folks are out hunting, fishing, and hiking. Please respect others and their space and activities.
The Cloud Peak Wilderness is open and accessible.
Cloud Peak and Bomber Mountain are still climbable, but some new snow may be encountered.
Current temperatures are 50's during the day and high 20's during the evenings.
Late Summer and Fall conditions are setting in for the season.
The Aspens are turning color right now and it is beautiful.
Archery Hunting Season is in full swing and many folks are out hunting, fishing, and hiking. Please respect others and their space and activities.
The Cloud Peak Wilderness is open and accessible.
Cloud Peak and Bomber Mountain are still climbable, but some new snow may be encountered.
Current temperatures are 50's during the day and high 20's during the evenings.
Forest Service Road Conditions:
All Forest Service Roads are open and passable.
All Forest Service Roads are open and passable.
Cloud Peak Wilderness Trails:
All Cloud Peak Wilderness trails are open and passable.
All Cloud Peak Wilderness trails are open and passable.
Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes:
All major lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness are open and accessible.
All major lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness are open and accessible.
Snow and Skiing Conditions:
Meadowlark Ski Area is closed for the season.
Meadowlark Ski Area is closed for the season.
January thru Memorial Day
