Western Montana Smallmouth reports/tips?

[empangler]

 Hey all! I’m brand new to this forum and relatively new to smallmouth bass fishing (recovering trout bum here). Looking forward to learning more about what is quickly becoming my new favorite fish though! 
 We live in Missoula and my in-laws live outside Ronan (south of Flathead Lake). I’ve done OK on smallies fishing the lower Flathead in the summer a few times in the past, but have never fished for them in Flathead Lake (I know they’re there!).
 Just wondering if anyone has been getting into any smallmouth around here yet this spring? What techniques would you be using in early spring/pre-spawn? And any other tips or thoughts on where I should be focusing my efforts once it warms back up a bit (it’s snowing here today ?) would be greatly appreciated!! 
 Thanks so much. Looking forward to learning from this group and I hope you all are staying healthy and sane during these crazy times. Cheers! 

[NorcalBassin]

I briefly lived in Missoula while attending U of M but sadly never got to fish Flathead. There are giant SM in there up to and over 7lbs, and the Flathead River also has a really good reputation for numbers and size of SM. Right about now you should be able to get into them with a jerkbait, tube, or Ned rig. I have had some great trips to the west of you in the Couer d'Alene area, and it's near the top of my list for favorite places to fish. Best of luck and be sure to post some pics and reports on the Latest Catch Pics Thread in the Fishing Reports forum when you get into them.

[FinnFisher]

Hello, I'm wayyy late here...have you found some bass around NW Mt yet? Plenty of good bass fishing around here. I'm also a recovering trout fly rodder... actually I'm not recovered at all. I fish for most things that swim. 

[Ben Montgomery]

Also live in NW Montana (Polson) and am a smallmouth addict. I fish Flathead Lake a lot and it has fish but can be very challenging. I'm interested in meeting other fellow bass fishers to share info and meet up to fish. I have a decked out boat for Flathead Lake and also fish Noxon and Cabinet Gorge quite a bit. Also have a smaller boat for Kickinghorse and other small lakes in the area.

 

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Whatever]

I am in the North Flathead, and getting a tribal licesense to fish the south end of the lake is on my "To Do' list this year. When I get out (probably Mar or April) I will share any good info.