Montana Fish Report

Summer steelhead fishing has been moderate to slow, but there are fish throughout the system. . Late August and September can be a great time to target these fish as cooler nights lower water temps, and fish that have been holding get more active. Fish are throughout the system. Target riffles and the top of pools during first and last light, and concentrate on deeper holding pools once the sun is on the water. Fishing stealthy, with light gear, and targeting first and last light is often the key to success with these fish.

Trout season is open, and recent surveys by ODFW found good numbers of cutthroat in the basin, and sea run cutthroat are entering the lower River now, too. Remember the limit on streams and rivers is two per day over 8-inches.

Three Rivers is closed to all angling downstream of the hatchery through Sept. 30.

Nestucca Bay opened for fall Chinook on Aug. 1, and there are a few fish being caught. That said, it is still pretty early for this fishery. Anglers are reminded that the Nestucca River upstream of the Cloverdale Bridge is closed to Chinook angling through Sept. 15.

Anglers are reminded that there is NO wild coho retention in the rivers and bays this year, and that two rods are prohibited on all coastal rivers, tidewater, estuaries and bays.