need info on Yellowtail Res in MT

[Orion]

Does anyone fish Yellowtail Res in Montana? (specifically by the dam end) It's been several years since I have been there, and was wanting to get up there during the peak fishing time. When is the best time to go, and what are they hitting on now? Years ago we used to cast against the rock walls with lead head yellow doll flies or twister tails. I would appreciate any information! thanks!

[Larry]

I fished Yellowtail several times last year. I did real well on the smallmouth in the middle of May with small floating rapalas the back of bays. I didn't get into the walleyes until the end of September. I was fishing in the area of Barry's Landing. I understand that they did good during the summer at the slide. It is a 30 mile or so run to the dam from Barry's Landing. There is a ramp near the dam I guess. I think it is a private operation but I'm not sure. You can acess the Billings Gazette on line and get a fishing report.

[fishwhenican]

I fished the lake from the dam end up a couple of times last summer. Neither time was what I would consider to be great fishing but I am really new to this lake and am still learning it. I also was forced to hole up at the campground in Black Canyon last time I was out there due to unbelieveable wind and waves on the main lake.

There is a nice Marina right above the dam, Ok-A-Beh, with a good ramp, parking and a nice cleaning station. I believe it is actually iced in right now there so I don;t think anyone has been out there recently.

If nothing else it is certainly one of the prettiest places I have ever been walleye fishing. If the fish are not biting there is certainly enough to look at! You can also get fishing reports at www.billingsgazette.com in their outdoor section. They do not have them now but will as it gets more towards spring/summer. Or at http://www.montanaoutdoor.com/fishing.php3

Have fun!

[Mr.Bobby]

You may want to consider the Wyoming end of Yellowtail. Last year was fantastic in May and June. It certainly warms up faster than down by the dam. When water levels are good try Horseshoe Bend area. Troll Cranks, works for me. Good luck.

[Orion]

Thanks for the great info! We used to live in Billings years ago, and used to fish Yellowtail every now and then. I have been wanting to get back there and see if it's how I remember it. I just have a small fishing boat, so I can't go too far into the canyon, but I have been both to the Oh-ke-bay area and the Horseshoe bend area. I looks like May/June is the best time to go, so I am seriously thinking about heading up there. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

[Mr Bobby]

Just don't go to early in May. Esp in the canyon area. Most years it's over 100 feet deep and warms up slowly. Target June 10 or so and you should be OK. Barrys Landing is a good spot for using a smaller boat. The canyon is so deep here the ( a long way to the top of those walls above your head) wind is seldom a problem. Fish the "less vertical" spots. Rock slides ect. Electronics are almost worthless here due to the vertical nature of the structure. And the huge "dead zone" blind spots they have in that kind of habitat. There is a large spawning run up the Bighorn river in April and May. As these fish drift back down to the Reservoir they can be had. Look for Rubble spots. Have fun.

[casey]

Finaly A lake that I know A little about, I bought A new boat last year and spent almost every weekend on this lake. The fishing is alittle slow in the early spring at the dam end, but you can do fairly well with white jigs- twistertails tiped with A minnow,and good luck getting minnows! Guys that have fished the lake for ever told me that in the summer to fish only the cliffs, that it is a waste of time fishing the slide areas,But I have not found this to be totaly true yet. The end of september was fantatic at the barrys landing end of the lake, I done realy well useing minnows.I never caught anything over 8lbs but caught lots of fish in the 6lb range.The smallmouth action seemed to be good all year for me,they run about 3-4 lbs. evening fishing seems to be the best time also. SNAGS SNAGS SNAGS bring lots of jig heads! there are more bushes and rocks with fingers than I have ever seen.But anyhow I hope this helps you out watch out for the wind it can realy blow down the canyon.

[mrb]

I would agree with you on fishing the slide areas. My time on Yellowtail tells me to head for the less vertical areas. And that is what I do. I never seem to do worth a hoot in the cliffs. Course my fishing partner says I never catch much of a hoot anyway. I'm sure technique has alot to do with it but I can't catch Yellowtail Walleyes in vertical structure that is staight up and down. I'm open for suggestions. Maybe some of you Yellowtail experts can help.

[Larry]

Just in case you are interested, there is still over three feet of ice at Horseshoe Bend. I was told there was an eight pound walleye caught there over the weekend. I fished it a couple of weeks ago and it was slow. Dead minnows seemed to work the best.
the Big Horn River has been frozen solid through Greybull since mid Novemeber and still is. The water level in the lake appears to be way down also.