Montana Fish Report

The Nestucca and Three Rivers have Spring Chinook available, but fishing has been slow and it’s looking like it’s going to be a low run year. The lower river, below Farmer Creek, usually produces the best. Bobber and eggs or sand shrimp, drift fishing, back bouncing, and divers and bait are all good techniques. These fish can be finicky, but are worth the effort!

Hatchery summer steelhead are also showing up on this basin. Low clear water can make fishing for summer steelhead challenging, but there can be some good action at first and last light, or on those drizzly overcast days. Concentrate on deep pools and deeper riffles. Drift fishing, spinners, and flies are good choices to target these fish.

Anglers are reminded that from the area from Cedar Creek Hatchery deadline to the marker below Gauldy Mt Rd bridge is youth angling only (ages 17 and under) from June 1 to July 15, and Anti-Snagging Gear Restrictions are in effect from May 1 to July 15. See page 18 of the regulations for details.

The North Coast Rivers open for trout fishing on May 22. There are some nice cutthroat around, and these aggressive fish can be fun to catch. Most of the rivers are restricted to artificial lures and flies above tidewater until Aug. 31, so check the regulations before you go.