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Bighorn Montana Fishing Report: Trout Waking Up, Nymphs and Streamers Shining in Spring
Published 1 year ago
Description
This is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Bighorn Montana fishing report for April 16 2025. It’s classic spring out here on the upper Bighorn River, with the river looking clear and running near normal at around 2240 cubic feet per second. Afternoon water temps are coming up to 48 degrees and, with the recent string of nicer weather, the fish are waking up hungry and the crowds have stayed pretty light. It’s a great time to be on the water if you like a little elbow room and some consistent action.
No tides to report of course, being a tailwater trout fishery, but the sun rose today at about 6:27 am and will set at 7:52 pm, giving you plenty of daylight to put in a full day of fishing. Spring winds have been on and off in the valley, but the days are warming up and the bite is good all along the main river stretches. Even with the occasional chilly night, the river is in fine condition.
Trout are active—mostly browns and rainbows averaging 16 inches, with a good number pushing past 18. Most folks have found the nymph bite steady and reliable, especially during the afternoon warmup. Anglers are landing solid numbers on Cotton Candies, Jellybeans, Tailwater Sows, Copper Zebras, Green Weenies, UV Scuds, Silver Bullets, and Pill Poppers. Sowbugs and midge nymph rigs are bringing fish consistently, especially if you get those flies down deep and keep your leader long and light. Don’t forget about worms, especially after a rain or warm spell, as they can really turn the bite on.
Streamer fishing is also solid right now as the fish are looking to bulk up after winter. Articulated streamers like Black Matuka, Olive or White Belly Sculpins, Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and Rusty Trombones are great choices. Fish them low and slow through the deeper slots and you’re likely to tie into some bigger trout. Early in the day, stick with the nymphs but as the water warms, switch it up with a streamer.
Not much dry fly action yet—though there are some midday midge and occasional BWO hatches downriver. Keep an eye out for rising fish if you hit a warm, calm pocket in the afternoon.
Hot spots to check out today are the Afterbay to Three Mile stretch, where the water runs clean and there’s good access, and the islands below Mallards Landing, which are holding nice pods of fish along the seams and deeper undercuts.
In summary: Good water, hungry trout, and light crowds. Nymphs and streamers are your best bet, with most action coming midday to late afternoon. Fish hard, stay safe, and enjoy one of the Bighorn’s finest spring weeks. Tight lines from Artificial Lure.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
No tides to report of course, being a tailwater trout fishery, but the sun rose today at about 6:27 am and will set at 7:52 pm, giving you plenty of daylight to put in a full day of fishing. Spring winds have been on and off in the valley, but the days are warming up and the bite is good all along the main river stretches. Even with the occasional chilly night, the river is in fine condition.
Trout are active—mostly browns and rainbows averaging 16 inches, with a good number pushing past 18. Most folks have found the nymph bite steady and reliable, especially during the afternoon warmup. Anglers are landing solid numbers on Cotton Candies, Jellybeans, Tailwater Sows, Copper Zebras, Green Weenies, UV Scuds, Silver Bullets, and Pill Poppers. Sowbugs and midge nymph rigs are bringing fish consistently, especially if you get those flies down deep and keep your leader long and light. Don’t forget about worms, especially after a rain or warm spell, as they can really turn the bite on.
Streamer fishing is also solid right now as the fish are looking to bulk up after winter. Articulated streamers like Black Matuka, Olive or White Belly Sculpins, Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and Rusty Trombones are great choices. Fish them low and slow through the deeper slots and you’re likely to tie into some bigger trout. Early in the day, stick with the nymphs but as the water warms, switch it up with a streamer.
Not much dry fly action yet—though there are some midday midge and occasional BWO hatches downriver. Keep an eye out for rising fish if you hit a warm, calm pocket in the afternoon.
Hot spots to check out today are the Afterbay to Three Mile stretch, where the water runs clean and there’s good access, and the islands below Mallards Landing, which are holding nice pods of fish along the seams and deeper undercuts.
In summary: Good water, hungry trout, and light crowds. Nymphs and streamers are your best bet, with most action coming midday to late afternoon. Fish hard, stay safe, and enjoy one of the Bighorn’s finest spring weeks. Tight lines from Artificial Lure.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI