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 is winding down. There has been substantial snow and cold weather lately, and most of the fishing has shut down. Unless we get a substantial warm-up mountain stream fishing may be over for the season.

Mountain Lakes:
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)

Cold weather has set in, and most fishing in the mountain lakes is slowing down and some of the higher elevation lakes are frozen. Unless we get a substantial warm-up mountain stream fishing may be over for the season.

Prarie Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)

Lower elevation sections of area streams are clear, flows are relatively low, but fishing is good, but the fish may be a little spooky. Extra stealth is recommended.

Fly Fishermen may have luck with a variety of small beadhead nymphs, good patterns would be Copper Johns, Guide's Choice Hare's Ears, or Psycho Princes. Also, small streamers and wooly buggers may be effective.

Spin Fishermen could try small gold or silver spinners, or with worms fished in deeper holes.

Lake Desmet:
Lake DeSmet fishing is starting to pick up with the cooler weather.

Spin Fishermen may have luck with Powerbait fished off the bottom, good colors are Rainbow Glitter, and Sherbet Glitter. Also, some anglers are having luck with casting Jake's Lures in Gold or Silver.

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)

Fishing at Muddy Guard Reservoirs is starting to pick up. Early morning or late evening hours might be the best.

Hot head Wooly Buggers or Leeches can be effective at times, Damsel nymphs and Callibaetis nymphs would also be good bets.

There has been an occasional midge hatch in the evenings, so a Griffith's Gnat or Black or Grey midge may be effective at those times.

Spin fishermen could try Lil' Jakes or Kastmaster Lures.

Fishing at Healy Reservoir is good with the warm weather.

Perch can be caught with worms, small jigs, or small spinners. Try Spinner Baits, or plastics for Bass and large Swim baits and Crank baits for the Tiger Musky.

General Info:
Overall conditions are good and all major roads and trails are open and accessible. There has been substantial snow and cold weather recently, so please plan accordingly.

Please remember no campfires are allowed in the Cloud Peak Wilderness above 9200' elevation.

Note: Special Wilderness regulations in effect in the Middle and West Tensleep watershed drainages. All users are required to pack out their waste, so take that into consideration when planning a trip.

Note: Big Game Hunting Seasons have started. Wear Safety Orange and be Please be respectful of you fellow sportsman. We encourage "fair chase" hunting practices and "leave no trace" ethics.

Forest Service Road Conditions:
Forest Service Roads are open and passable.

Cloud Peak Wilderness Trails:
Cloud Peak Wilderness trails are open and are passable. Conditions for climbing Cloud Peak or Bomber Mountain are becoming more difficult, as there is substantial snow above 8000'.

Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes:
Cloud Peak Wilderness lakes still accessible, however some early cold, wintery weather may have started the freeze-up at higher elevations.

Snow and Skiing Conditions:
Meadowlark Ski Area will likely be open in Mid-December.