Tally Lake Fishing Report

Northern pike and yellow perch are the most likely to be active at Tally Lake right now, because their listed reference temperature ranges (55–70°F and 50–68°F) are the closest to the current surface estimate of 72°F. The coldwater trout species (lake, rainbow, cutthroat) are well outside their ranges (45–65°F or lower) and almost certainly have moved to deeper, cooler water—though no depth or thermocline data exists to confirm that.

Why this inference holds:

• The lake-page modeled surface-water estimate is 72°F (updated 08:00 MDT today). This is 5°F above the historical median (~66.9°F) and above the typical warm-season range (66.5–70.1°F).
• Northern pike: 72°F is only 2°F above their upper limit of 70°F. They are warmwater-adapted and can tolerate brief excursions above that range, especially if they have access to slightly cooler pockets (e.g., shaded shoreline, deeper edges).
• All trout species (lake, rainbow, cutthroat) are 7–12°F above their upper limits. Their reference ranges max out at 60–65°F. At 72°F surface, they are under thermal stress unless they are located in a deep, stratified zone—which is unverified.

What this does not mean:

• Temperature alone does not prove feeding, location, depth, or activity. These are reasoned hypotheses based on species biology and the measured surface temperature. No recent catch data or on-water observations are available to confirm current behavior.
• If you target pike or perch, start in a legally accessible area where you can verify manageable wind (currently 3 mph) and look for shade or a depth transition (e.g., drop-off, creek channel) if you can confirm it with electronics. The calm conditions favor longer casts with quieter presentations—spoons, spinners, or small jigs for perch; swimbaits or spoons for pike.