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 fishing pretty well. Flows are very good and the water is clear. Fly Fishermen will have luck with any of their favorite dry fly patterns. Good bets would be Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Humpies, and Rubber Leg Stimulators. Terrestrial pattens are also working, Black Ants, Black Beetles, and Hoppers will be effective when the weather is warm. Beadhead nymph patterns may be successful, try Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails and Hare's Ear Nymphs. 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 fishing pretty well. Flows are very good and the water is clear. Fly Fishermen will have luck with any of their favorite dry fly patterns. Good bets would be Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Humpies, and Rubber Leg Stimulators. Terrestrial pattens are also working, Black Ants, Black Beetles, and Hoppers will be effective when the weather is warm. Beadhead nymph patterns may be successful, try Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails and Hare's Ear Nymphs. 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) Lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness are open and ice free. Fly Fishermen will have luck with , Elk Hair Caddis, Renegades, and Ant/Beetle Patterns. Also try Hoppers or Chernobyl Ants if aquatic insects aren't apparent. Beadhead Nymphs like Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, and small black and/or gold stonefly nymphs. Spin Fishermen could try small spinners, Jake's Lures or a fly and a bubble, or worms.
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes) Lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness are open and ice free. Fly Fishermen will have luck with , Elk Hair Caddis, Renegades, and Ant/Beetle Patterns. Also try Hoppers or Chernobyl Ants if aquatic insects aren't apparent. Beadhead Nymphs like Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, and small black and/or gold stonefly nymphs. Spin Fishermen could try small spinners, Jake's Lures or a fly and a bubble, or worms.
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 will have luck with a variety of dry flies. Good bets would be Parachute Adams, Yellow Sallies, or Hopper Patterns. Small beadhead nymphs will also be effective, good patterns would be Copper Johns, Guide's Choice Hare's Ears, or Psycho Princes. 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 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 will have luck with a variety of dry flies. Good bets would be Parachute Adams, Yellow Sallies, or Hopper Patterns. Small beadhead nymphs will also be effective, good patterns would be Copper Johns, Guide's Choice Hare's Ears, or Psycho Princes. Spin Fishermen could try small gold or silver spinners, or with worms fished in deeper holes.
Lake Desmet:
Lake DeSmet fishing has been a little slow, and it appears that the fish are deep. 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 fishing has been a little slow, and it appears that the fish are deep. 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) 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.
(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 very good and all major roads and trails are open and accessible. 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 Archery Hunting Seasons have started. Please be respectful of you fellow sportsman. We encourage "fair chase" hunting practices and "leave no trace" ethics.
Overall conditions are very good and all major roads and trails are open and accessible. 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 Archery Hunting Seasons have started. 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.
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 excellent.
Cloud Peak Wilderness trails are open and are passable. Conditions for climbing Cloud Peak or Bomber Mountain are excellent.
Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes:
Cloud Peak Wilderness lakes are open and accessible.
Cloud Peak Wilderness lakes are open and accessible.
Snow and Skiing Conditions:
Meadowlark Ski Area is Closed for the season. Only a very few patchy areas have enough snow for skiing, so most skiing is over for the summer.
Meadowlark Ski Area is Closed for the season. Only a very few patchy areas have enough snow for skiing, so most skiing is over for the summer.
January thru Memorial Day
