Fishing & snow report
Lake Desmet:
Lake DeSmet has recently seen mixed results. Bank fishermen have been having luck with Powerbait fished off the bottom. Fly Fishermen have been successful with Damsel Nymphs and Olive Wooly Buggers.
Boat fishermen are catching Lake Trout, either by jigging, or trolling with large Flatfish. Kokanee are staying between 40’-60’ and anglers are seeing some sporadic action. Rainbow Trout and Walleye fishing has been very slow.
Prairie Lakes and Ponds:
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
Muddy Guard Reservoirs have fair water levels and fishing is sporadic.
Fly Fishermen will have luck with Damsel Nymphs, Ice Cream Cones, Chironomids, and Callibaetis. Small minnow patterns or Wooly Buggers.
Healy Reservoir is fishing pretty well. Anglers are doing well catching Perch with Crappie Rigs and worms. Bass Fishermen are successful with Crankbaits, Spinner Baits, Chatterbaits, and Wacky Worms. Try for Tiger Musky in the early morning or later evening hours. Big Rapalas and Bucktail Spinners are good bets.
Prairie Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)
Lower elevation streams are full of run-off and water levels are high and off-color.
Fly fishermen may have luck with Beadhead Nymphs, Worm Patterns, or Streamers. Good patterns would be Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ears, and Pat’s Rubber Legs. Squirmie Wormies are always good during high water.
Spin Fishermen may have luck with spinners with Gold, Silver, or Copper Blades. Worms and Nightcrawlers fished in deeper and slower sections may also be effective.
Mountain Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek and Tensleep Creek and their tributaries)
Bighorn mountain streams are open and have high water levels with limited visibility.
Fly Fishermen will have luck with Beadhead Nymphs. Good patterns would be Pat’s Rubber Legs, Halfbacks, Copper Johns, and San Juan Worms.
Spin Fishermen will have luck with small gold, silver, or copper spinners. Panther Martin, Mepps, and Rooster Tails are all good bets.
Anglers will also have luck with worms and crawlers fished in slow and deep sections.
Mountain Lakes:
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)
Bighorn Mountain lakes are starting to open up, most are ice free below 9500’ elevation.
Fly Fishermen are catching fish with small beadhead nymphs, Zebra Midges, Copper Johns, and Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs.
Spin Fishermen are using Fly and Bubble Rigs, Spinners, and Jake’s Lure and reporting decent luck.
Worms, Salmon Eggs, and Powerbait will also be effective.
SKi and snow report:
Meadowlark Ski Lodge and Antelope Butte Ski Area are closed for the season.
The snowline is currently 9000’-9500’. Alpine Lakes are still frozen above 9500’. Trail conditions are fair with substantial sections of wet and muddy, and snowy conditions.