NW Montana fishing update

[mjhowe]

Been awhile since I posted anything so lemme catch ya'll up. Most of the lakes in NW MT are still holding good ice.

The night kokanee bite on Middle Thompson is still going on...nice limits of 14-16 inch kokes

Deep water bite in Bitteroot lake is still going, but guys have been hammering it. Still some 3# Kokes being caught...fish the bottom in the DEEP water. Low stretch line and a spring bobber or noodle TIP is a must, but at that depth, you have got to have a rod that will give you a solid hookset...

Perch on Middle Thompson, Smith, Lake Mary Ronan , Upper Stillwater are starting to stage for pre and spawn. NOW is the time to get after them jumbo's! There IS a state record perch waiting to be caught out there.

Saw a pygmy whitefish miss the record by .02 pounds last week, on an accurate scale.

As always, at this time of year, carry a spud, check that ice every couple steps,wear a life jacket, or better yet, your Arctic Armor! No fish is worth your life, I've gone thru and it is a SCARY experience!

Oh and spring mac days is in full swing on Flathead, so if you have put away the short poles...get that boat in the water and get your daily limit of FIFTY (50) mackinaw on Flathead!!! Good jig fishing in the usual spring spots, woods bay, river mouth (watch out, the delta is REAL REAL shallow now, the lake is SO low... Rocky point etc. Call FWP for up to date info on usable launches...

Be safe and fish hard!!!