Bighorn Montana Fishing Report - Clear Skies, Hungry Trout, and Prime Conditions [May 11, 2025]

This is Artificial Lure with your Big Horn Montana fishing report for May 11, 2025. Weather conditions are just about perfect for spring angling. We’ve got clear skies early, with a light breeze and daytime highs projected in the upper 60s. The Bighorn River is currently running at normal flows, around 2280 cubic feet per second, with clear water and an afternoon temperature near 48 degrees. Sunrise came at 5:39 am and sunset is at 8:29 pm. Tidal changes aren’t a factor here in Montana, so your bite windows will mostly follow water temperature and light[4]. Trout fishing has been consistent this week. Reports from several guides say lots of healthy rainbows and browns in the 16 to 20 inch range are being caught daily. A few lucky anglers landed fish pushing 22 inches. Anglers drifting nymph rigs are finding the most success, with midges, Baetis nymphs, sowbugs, and scuds all producing. Top flies include cream and red midge larva or pupa in size 20 to 22, Black Micro Mayflies, Zebra Midges, Pearl or Olive Jiggy Perdigons, and Tailwater Sowbugs. Tandem rigs with a midge larva and midge pupa under an indicator have been deadly when fished deep and slow[2][3][4]. Streamer action is picking up too. Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, Geisha Girls, and classic sculpin patterns in olive or black are getting chases from bigger fish, especially in slower, deeper pools. Keep your retrieve slow to let those streamers get down where the fish are hugging the bottom[3][4]. If you’re bait fishing, a simple worm rig will do the trick, as just about any color San Juan or squirmy worm is hot right now. Pair a worm with a bead head nymph for steady action[3]. Best hot spots this week have been below Afterbay Dam for numbers, especially on overcast mornings, and the runs near the Three Mile Access for quality trout. Fish are still hanging deep, so don’t be afraid to add a little weight and drift through the slower seams and tailouts. To sum up, bring your nymph box, a few streamers, and work the deeper runs. The Bighorn is fishing well and the trout are healthy and hungry. Good luck, and see you on the river. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.