Fishing Bighorn Lake

 Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is an incredible contrast of high desert, deep lake and shallow river, mountains and canyons, primitive backcountry and modern technologies.

 No matter whether you choose to fish from a boat or from the shoreline, Bighorn Lake provides abundant possibilities to catch many species of fish while being surrounded by a few of the most beautiful outdoor scenery within the northwest Usa. The data provided beneath will give you an excellent notion from the possibilities for fishing either from the shoreline or perhaps a boat.

 Shore Fishing
 The Wyoming end of the lake has over 50 miles of accessible shore line such as the Yellowtail Wildlife Unit. These shore lines are close to nearby roads. Thye also have ample driftwood for shore line evening fires if needed. Please check about any fire restrictions that might be in effect during high fire danger periods. There is certainly restricted shore fishing in the Montana end of Bighorn Lake.

 When shore fishing on the bottom of the lake a heavy fishing pole rigged with 20 pound plus line is best. Bait may be:

 * minnows
 * crawfish
 * worms
 * cut bait
 * artificial bait and plastics

 When bait casting use a lighter rig with spinners, crankbaits, minnows, worms and artificial baits.

 Through the warmer months please be conscious that rattlesnakes and scorpions occupy the region and take suitable precautions. Please remove all trash when you leave your shore fishing location.

 Boat Fishing
 Bighorn Lake is more than 70 miles in length and supplies a huge number of acres of amazing boat fishing. The lake is amongst 70 and 450 feet deep within the Montana end. The Wyoming finish is 70 feet deep in the state line, 30 feet deep in Horseshoe Bend, progressively becoming shallower going south. South on the causeway at Highway 14A, the river channel expands onto the flats at full lake.

 There are lots of ways to fish this lake:

 1. trolling making use of crankbaits, bottom bouncers, spinners and planer boards
 2. casting utilizing crankbaits, worms, spinners and plastic jigs
 3. jigging employing weighted jigs tipped with a minnow, crawfish, leech, cut bait or artificial/plastic bait

 You may need to use an electric trolling motor for jigging to maintain your boat on the ot?fishing spot. The use of a small gas outboard motor is beneficial for trolling and as backup must your major motor fail.

 Factors to Remember
 Don't forget when within the canyon portion stay with your boat when you have engine difficulty; tend not to try to climb the canyon walls to get aid. A lot of the shore line inside the southern portion on the lake is suitable for beaching your boat if needed.

 Some fishermen prefer to use an anchor or windsock to help keep the boat in position when fishing the south portion of Bighorn Lake. Little boats or jet boats function well south from the causeway in the shallow water and also the river channel. These may be launched from the Kane, South Causeway and ML ramps except through the ice period.

 Horseshoe Bend Fishing Dock
 At Horseshoe Bend beach is actually a large floating fishing dock which has pole holders, benches as well as a handicap ramp. This can be a great spot to fish for all of the species of fish inside the lake. A single can drive right up to the walkway in your car for simple access. The catching is normally great from this dock!

 Pond Fishing
 The Yellowtail Unit has ponds for fishing too. Pond 5 and Cemetery pond give shore and small boat or canoe fishing. You are able to catch large mouth bass and trout in Pond five. Cemetery pond offers bullhead, crayfish and cat fishing.

 Fishing For Carp
 The big carp population in Bighorn Lake and also the other ponds offers a fantastic chance for bow and fly fishing. This could be carried out by wadding in the shallows or having a push boat setup. Carp are a supreme fly-rod challenge equal to or excelling trout or bone fish in line with numerous fly fishing magazines. Each year numerous carp fly fishing tournaments are held using the number of fishermen competing increasing!

 Game Fish To be Caught

 * Lake Trout
 * Brown Trout
 * Rainbow Trout
 * Channel Cat
 * Ling
 * Smallmouth Bass
 * Black Crappie
 * Yellow Perch
 * Walleye
 * Sauger
 * Bullhead
 * Shovelnose Sturgeon