Howard Prairie is 96 percent full and all boat ramps are now open. Howard is producing good numbers of trout, and holdover trout caught early in the season at Howard are some of the best tasting trout around.

Trout will likely be distributed widely around the filling reservoir, so anglers will have a lot of areas to choose from for fishing. The upper reservoir near the horse camp has provided good early season fly fishing in the past, so this is something to try. Otherwise, trolling lures like wedding rings tipped with bait can be very effective, along with still fishing with bait. One boat had very good success on a 8-10" trout trolling a gold little Cleo on Saturday. Another boat caught trout to 14' trolling a red wedding ring spiked with nightcrawler behind a sling blade dodger. A Gulp worm on a green wedding ring also got bites.

With the higher water this year bank anglers can fish from the jetty again and can have success fishing floating bait or nightcrawlers off the bottom, casting lures, or fishing with bait below a bobber. A universal access fishing platform is available near the end of the jetty.

Remember to remove all vegetation from gear, boots and boats before leaving Howard Prairie.