October fishing is here, and things are looking good. Cooler nights and shorter days have trout rivers in prime shape. On the Yellowstone and Madison, streamer season is in full swing — big browns are chasing meat ahead of the spawn. Blue-winged olives are also hatching on cloudy days, giving fly anglers bonus dry-fly action.
Walleye on Fort Peck and Canyon Ferry are sliding deeper but remain steady. Crankbaits trolled along drop-offs and crawler rigs are producing. Smallmouth are still biting, especially on sunny afternoons when rocky structure warms up.
High mountain lakes are starting to lock down with cold nights, but those still open are fishing strong. Brookies are in full spawning colors and are aggressive in shallow water. October is one of the best months to get out before winter starts shutting things down.
