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Upper Hay Coulee

Upper Hay Coulee is a lake in Big Horn County, Montana.

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Upper Hay Coulee Fishing Weather

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Official stocking history

Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.

Upper Hay Coulee is a lake in Big Horn County, Montana and covers about 4.6 acres.

The small size of Upper Hay Coulee makes quiet casts and short moves more useful than carrying a pile of tackle.

Fish and Baits

Along the open side of an open-water break, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

Around the open side of a quiet pocket, begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water.

How to Read the Water

Across the darker edge of a main-lake point, do not let the deepest number control the whole day; nearby cover, firm bottom, and food usually matter more than the deepest hole by itself.

Season by Season

Beside the firm edge of a channel turn, early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again.

A Simple Tackle Plan

Along the steep side of the first drop, a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.

Near the deep corner of a shaded bank, record the wind, water color, depth that produced twice, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.

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