"Big Horn Bigbites: Montana's Late-Fall Trout, Pike, and Bass Bonanza"

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Big Horn, Montana fishing report for November 15, 2025. Folks, sunrise hit around 7:13 this morning and we’re looking at sunset right around 4:40 this afternoon, so daylight hours are tightening up now that we’re past the time change. No tides to worry about this far inland, but the flow on the Bighorn River remains steady—clear water with temps in the upper 40s to low 50s, thanks to those chilly Montana nights. The November weather’s been pretty mild for this time of year, keeping things comfortable on the water despite a brisk start this morning. Expect high temps in the mid-40s, a light breeze, and overcast skies settling in by late morning—perfect conditions for working streamers and minnows. If you’re after trout, late fall fly fishing is still firing on all cylinders. Montana Outdoor reports big browns on the move and blue-winged olives hatching in pockets. Fish are actively feeding ahead of real winter, holding tight to structure. Anglers have turned up impressive browns and rainbows, mostly in the 16–22 inch range. Best results have come drifting nymphs—think pheasant tails and zebra midges—or swinging small olive and black streamers near gravel bars and drop-offs. Don Wilkins’ recent notes suggest these next two weeks are prime before the fish really slow down for winter. Pike anglers are smiling too. According to the latest Fort Peck fishing report, big pike have moved up onto submerged weed beds in 5–10 feet of water. The hot bite’s been mid-morning to early afternoon. Casting spoons—like a trusty red-and-white Dardevle—or surface plugs across any remaining green weed beds is getting the job done. Don’t overlook classic jerkbaits fished slow as water cools. Smallmouth bass haven’t checked out for the season yet, either. Fathead and sucker minnows, fished under slip bobbers around any rocky point with deep water nearby, have produced some decent fish lately. The action slows down compared to summer, but patient anglers are still putting 2–4 pounders in the net. For lake trout, Wilkins says the post-spawn bite is picking up as more fish move back to deeper breaks—try targeting 50–65 feet off rocky points with tube jigs or big white plastics. Lakers are more aggressive now than they’ll be all winter, so this is your window. If you’re heading out, I’d pack: - Gold or firetiger spoons for pike - Large streamers and olive buggers for fall trout - Jarred minnows or fatheads for smallmouth - Tube jigs for lakers Locals are quietly raving about Afterbay just below the Yellowtail Dam—steady flows here keep trout active even as temps drop. Don’t overlook Ok-A-Beh Marina for late-fall pike and the occasional surprise walleye either. That’s your November rundown from Big Horn. Bundle up, fish slow, and don’t let the short days put a damper on your time outside. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s fishing report—make sure you subscribe to catch next week’s hot bite. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.