Georgetown Lake Fishing Report

Tip of the Week:

Late February weather means we're starting to see a layer of snow and slush forming on top of the main ice sheet, so tall waterproof boots and a good set of cleats are a must right now. Since the bite has been happening in quick, localized flurries, don't just sit on a dead hole all day. If you haven't marked anything on your flasher in 30 to 45 minutes, fire up the auger, punch a few new holes, and keep moving until you locate an active school. Remember, the Kokanee bite is incredibly subtle this time of year, so relying heavily on a sensitive spring bobber is the best way to detect those light takes.

7 Day Outlook:

Up at Georgetown, winter is still holding on tight with cooler daytime highs in the 30s to low 40s and crisp, freezing nights. You'll see some snow flurries mid-week before the sun pops out for the weekend, accompanied by light westerly winds. The lake remains capped with solid ice, making for great hardwater conditions, though the warming weekend temps might create a little surface slush in the sunny afternoons.

Best Techniques:

For those chunky Georgetown rainbows and brookies, focus your efforts in the 5 to 15-foot depth range. A Swedish Pimple or a small tungsten jig tipped with maggots or a piece of fire corn is your best bet—bare jigs simply aren't getting it done right now. If you're targeting Kokanee, you'll need to watch your electronics to see what depth they're suspending at. Drop a small glow hook or a Ratfinkee down to their level, tipped with a maggot or wax worm. Keep your jigging motions tight and subtle; aggressive ripping will just spook these cold-water fish. Action has been peaking right around sunrise and in the hour just before sunset, so time your trip to hit those magic windows.

*Conditions change fast—call us at 406.542.7411 for the most recent updates on area rivers, fly selection, and gear recommendations. Local to Missoula? Swing through the shop to get dialed in with the best gear from Orvis, Patagonia, and Skwala, plus the exact bugs they're eating today.*