Henry's Lake
HENRY'S LAKE
ReportOCT 21 — 28, 2026
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Flow
—CFS
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Water Temp
—
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Weather
36–59°F
Mostly Clear
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Reported By
Bruce Staples
On the water
Henry's Lake is cooling under shorter days and cold nights, with trout actively cruising weed beds, creek mouths, drop-offs, and spring holes. Blue-green algae is receding, and the forecast brings mostly sunny skies with highs near 58–59°F, though SE winds gusting to 20 mph can make boating dangerous with little warning.
From the ShopBruce Staples · October 21, 2026
Presenting streamer, leech, and woolly bugger patterns is now a great way to attract trout during windy conditions. Strong windy conditions make boating very dangerous, and such can come up from the southeast and north in an instant.
The lake is cooling off thanks to fewer daylight hours and colder nights. Trout are cruising shallows with weed beds, creek mouths, drop-offs, and adjacent to spring holes. Blue-green algae is receding.
Start fishing from first light to midday, or when the wind calms.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leeches | #10–#14 | High — trout actively hunting shallows | First light through midday |
| Streamers / Minnows | #4–#6 | Moderate to high — effective in wind-churned water | First light through midday |
| Woolly Bugger / Jig Bugger | #14 | Moderate — versatile search pattern near structure | Calm windows, any time of day |
Best Time Window
- FIRST LIGHT TO MIDDAY: Prime window — work leeches and streamers along weed beds, creek mouths, and drop-offs before wind builds
- CALM WINDOWS (ANY HOUR): When wind lays down, move quickly to spring holes and shallow structure with streamer and leech patterns
- AVOID AFTERNOON SE/N WIND: Dangerous gusts can develop rapidly; prioritize safety and plan to be off the water before conditions deteriorate
Guide's Tip
From the benchWind on Henry's Lake can shift from calm to dangerous in minutes — keep a close eye on the southeast and north horizons and have a plan to get off the water fast. Fish your leeches and streamers on a slow, steady retrieve near structure, pausing to let the fly sink and pulse. If the report mentions woolly bugger patterns by name and you have a favorite in your box, don't hesitate to tie it on — the trout aren't being picky about brand right now.
Main Species
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Brook Trout
Rainbow Trout
