Author Topic: Pike sloughs on the Clarkfork (Read 6396 times)

Linginator · « **on:** Dec 09, 2010, 05:26 PM »

Anybody out there ever ice fish the Clarkfork River sloughs for pike? I've heard there are some pigs up in the Plains / Thompson Falls area. Obviously the ice conditions are the primary concern though. I imagine it would be a later in the year type scenario once the ice has sturdied up.

For those that have input - do you fish these sloughs with tip-ups or mainly just jig? Also, somebody told me you have to be leary of the fluctuating water level from the dam. Is this a wive's tale or the real deal?

Mt.Bucket · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 09, 2010, 05:43 PM »

the ice conditions are sketchy at best most the time if your talking about Noxon Res. waite for a real cold snap...

shantybum · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 09, 2010, 09:21 PM »

I live on the Clark Fork between Plains and T. Falls, and I can attest to the water levels rising and falling quite a bit. There are a lot of Pike in the sloughs and back waters, but the ice is definitely dangerous. Maybe a flat bottomed canoe or jon boat with a rope tied to shore and some way of pushing it across the ice would be a way to do it? Sounds like a pain, especially for those slimy Pike. I'll stick to the Perch and lake fishing. We have caught some Whitefish during the summer months though, and Rainbows as well as Bass.

PyroZuki · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 15, 2010, 05:29 PM »

If anyone has any "shareable" locations for pikes on the Clarkfork NEAR MISSOULA), PLEASE let me know!!!!

Hard Water Lover · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 15, 2010, 11:53 PM »

I know of a place where I have duck hunted and fly-fished in the past. I have a friend who did some SCUBA there in the sloughs and he saw some huge pike. It's between Lolo and Missoula. There is a turn off on the river side of the road next to an old weigh station that goes down to a railroad crossing. There are various sloughs back in there. It says private but it is owned by FWP. I think the sign refers to the railroad or something. I've never tried it for hard water pike but it just might work. I'd appreciate you reporting if you try it and you have any luck there.

Shyp · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 18, 2010, 10:35 AM »

the clark fork is one of my favorite spots to pike fish anymore. just about any back water is a good place to find them. caught alot by the bunkhouse bridge by old walmart on 93. earskin fishing access by frenchtown used to be my go to spot more so in the spring when they are startin to spawn. caught a few nice ones through the ice on some back water too usein smelt on a tip up just off the bottom.

Linginator · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 18, 2010, 03:25 PM »

Shyp:

Are you talking more open water success or hardwater? The backwaters you are fishing seem to ice up pretty solid? Specifically, the Bitterroot by Walmart?... I'm just having a hard time visualizing the river icing up solid there. Never done any backwater pike fishing but I really want to give it a shot this winter. Tip-ups seem to work well for you in the sloughs?

Thanks for sharing your backwater knowledge!

Shyp · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 18, 2010, 10:32 PM »

most of the pike fishing i did was in the open water but i used to go duck hunting on a ranch on the river by frenchtown and we would put some tip ups out for pike on the sloughs while we hunted the fields. we would sometimes jig for whitefish too but mostly just tip ups and check on them every now and again.

Linginator · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 04, 2011, 03:37 PM »

Did some slough reconnaissance last Sunday on the Bitteroot/Clarfork. I poked around by Fort Missoula for a nice backwater but the ice wasn't solid enough, tried over by kelly island (same result), then I head South on the Bitterroot but couldn't locate any decent sloughs that were iced over. Eventually I end up at the Lolo lakes. These are private but I met a nice old fellow that let me fish right out from his back yard. Tried tip-ups for pike or bass with no hits. Caught (4) pipsqueak perch. Still a fun day - cruising around looking for a pike hole.

I think taking Shyp's advice I will try out by Frenchtown next time.

PyroZuki · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 04, 2011, 04:00 PM »

Quote from: Linginator on Jan 04, 2011, 03:37 PM

Did some slough reconnaissance last Sunday on the Bitteroot/Clarfork. I poked around by Fort Missoula for a nice backwater but the ice wasn't solid enough, tried over by kelly island (same result), then I head South on the Bitterroot but couldn't locate any decent sloughs that were iced over. Eventually I end up at the Lolo lakes. These are private but I met a nice old fellow that let me fish right out from his back yard. Tried tip-ups for pike or bass with no hits. Caught (4) pipsqueak perch. Still a fun day - cruising around looking for a pike hole.

I think taking Shyp's advice I will try out by Frenchtown next time.

Thank you very much for your info!

Good luck to you next time!

Pyro

cjflorence88 · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 05, 2011, 12:04 PM »

i think i may check out the wallfart off 93 this week i have heard about it but never fished it.

Linginator · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 05, 2011, 02:56 PM »

Looking forward to hearing how you do!... and how you access the hardwater by Wallyworld.

Good luck

PyroZuki · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 05, 2011, 03:04 PM »

Quote from: cjflorence88 on Jan 05, 2011, 12:04 PM

i think i may check out the wallfart off 93 this week i have heard about it but never fished it.

Watch out for the bums!
I never been down there, but I've talked to two guys who claim the bums get rude while guys are fishin down there. I ALWAYS roll with Bessy, my XD .45, so bums don't concern me.

Good luck, I too can't wait for the report!!!

Pyro

cjflorence88 · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 05, 2011, 03:24 PM »

well i just got back from a little cruise did not make all the way down to wally world but did check some stuff out near stevi,florence and lolo, not too much sucess i did not find any sloughs with much ice. i did see one small hammer head, and some really nice rainbows but it was low light and had no glasses, the sloughs are suprising free of weeds this time of year so if a guy went with a spinning rod and smelt/bobber settup i think i would be productive.

PyroZuki · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 05, 2011, 03:26 PM »

That might not be a half bad idea! Thanks for the report!

Pyro

South33 · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 05, 2011, 06:28 PM »

I fish near noxon all the time and The ice is good in most of the sloughs I fished elk creek bay & bull river bay and had great luck with both of them.

Linginator · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 06, 2011, 09:32 AM »

Thanks for the report South.

Are you mainly after pike on tip-ups out there? I've heard (and seen on IS) there are some slob pike up in that neck of the woods. Really want to give it a shot. Plus target perch all day and ling at night.

South33 · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 06, 2011, 03:03 PM »

Ya we set up tip-ups with smelt & a treble hook and we do catch some pigs. There is also some huge bass that will take the smelt also. You definitely need to give it a shot out here you will not be disappointed. Try elk creek bay if you get the chance... let me know if you need directions.

riske · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 09, 2011, 12:24 PM »

How about Walleye? You catch any of them out there? I have been tring to get info about that area for years and no one says crap. This is the best report yet for CF/ Noxon/ Thompson falls. How Far from TF are you fishing?

PyroZuki · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 09, 2011, 02:27 PM »

Quote from: South33 on Jan 06, 2011, 03:03 PM

Ya we set up tip-ups with smelt & a treble hook and we do catch some pigs. There is also some huge bass that will take the smelt also. You definitely need to give it a shot out here you will not be disappointed. Try elk creek bay if you get the chance... let me know if you need directions.

Where about were you doin this?

Pyro

South33 · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 09, 2011, 09:24 PM »

Its called Elk Creek Bay it is In between Noxon & Heron (the back road). It had fishable ice a couple weeks ago so it should have a good 9 inches now. I will be going tomorrow, let you guys know how I do.

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Author Topic: Pike sloughs on the Clarkfork (Read 6396 times)