Big Horn River April Report: Rainbows, Browns, and Bass Firing Up

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to fishing guide right here in Big Horn, Montana, comin' at ya with the fresh report for April 23rd, 2026. Dawn's breakin' early around 6:44 AM with sunset pushin' to 8:22 PM, givin' us a long day on the Bighorn River—perfect for gettin' after 'em. Weather's shapin' up mild with a warm-up trend kickin' in, north winds clearin' the water after any recent fronts, and that new moon phase got the fish fired up and feedin' aggressive-like, especially pre-spawn big girls movin' shallow. No tides up here in the river, but solunar charts rate today average—hit major bites from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM and midnight to 2 AM if you're night owls. Action's hot: locals report solid catches of rainbow trout, browns up to 20 inches, and smallmouth bass hittin' 4-5 pounds recent days. Walleye are stackin' in deeper bends, and some hefty catfish on cut bait. Early mornin' and dusk are prime, with fish chasin' shad on windblown banks. Best lures? Go with crankbaits and finesse worms for bass, topwaters at dawn for trout, then soft plastics or gold spoons. Live shrimp or cut mullet if you're bait fishin', paddle tails dragged slow for bottom dwellers. Hot spots: Check the Afterbay below Yellowtail Dam for rainbows smashin' spoons on current seams, and the Bighorn access near Hardin for smallies and walleye along marshy edges and points—fallin' flows are key. Rig light leaders on clear days, upsize after rains, and target drains two hours 'round peak flows for strikes. Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.