Bighorn Bonanza: Trout Feeding Frenzy on Montana's Legendary Tailwater

Good morning from Big Horn Montana, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh-off-the-water fishing report for April 19th, 2025. We kicked things off today with a beautiful sunrise at about 6:28 AM. Expect sunset around 8:03 PM, giving you a generous window for casting. With the river flows holding steady near 2040 CFS, conditions have been very friendly to both wading and floating anglers lately. Though we’re a long way from the coast and see no tidal influence, this spring weather feels just about perfect for a day on the water—moderate temperatures, occasional light rain, and mostly overcast skies. Some windy spells are rolling through, so pack a windbreaker and keep an eye on your casts. Fish activity is lively. Bighorn’s trout are coming out of their winter slumber and biting aggressively. Most of the action has been sub-surface, with nymphing outproducing dries by a long shot. Early mornings and late afternoons are your prime times, but honestly, the bite has stayed steady all day for those willing to stick it out. Recent catches have averaged strong numbers of healthy brown and rainbow trout, with an estimated 3,500 trout per mile in this stretch. Anglers are reporting fish from 14 to 18 inches fairly regularly, and a few 20-inchers were landed near Afterbay Dam and Three Mile in the last couple of days. Hot flies this week are black micro mayfly nymphs, pearl or olive jiggy perdigons, black zebra midges, and tailwater sowbugs. Scuds and worms—about any color—are also reliable, so don’t leave those behind. Streamer fans have found success with slow retrieves using Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and the classic Geisha Girl. If you’re after larger trout, let your streamers get deep before you start your retrieve. For anglers who like to try dries, there’s been some midge hatch activity, but rising fish have been sporadic. Bring patience or stick to the nymph game if you want numbers. For bait anglers at Bighorn Lake, nightcrawlers and minnows can produce, but fly tactics are the main event on the river right now. A couple of hot spots have been lighting up: Afterbay Dam remains the prime launch and fishing area, with plenty of deep slow runs for nymphing and streamer fishing. Three Mile and Mallards are also producing well—look for deeper slots and seams where fish are stacking up. All said, now is the time to be on the Bighorn. Fish are hungry, the crowds are light, and the river is showing off her spring best. Good luck and tight lines from Artificial Lure—see you on the water soon! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.