Some Hot some Not Fishing in the Eastern Montana Fishing Report: 5/22/12
By Kjel

Posted: May 23, 2012

Please be advised that warm weather has been  making  precarious   high wind  conditions meaning caution should be used in the  waters .   Call the contact person in the area you are planning on fishing for current daily information. Also use extreme caution on the water  at all times. Good Luck Fishing from the Montana Outdoor Radio Crew.

***Bill -Rock Creek Marina   1-406-485-2560

Linda says, “The fishing has been hot!  We saw the largest Northern caught this season, today.  It was 40 inches and 16.8 pounds.  People are catching them  on bottom bouncers, spoons and some worms.    Walleye  are being   caught. ”   “A  few bass are being caught but the perch have been crazy.  People have caught a perch and pulled it up and had a northern jumping for it.  That is a common story today and yesterday,  “Linda  explains.    Last week we had no gas due to some needed tank  repairs to the pumps but we now have fuel.

***Bob-Bob’s Bait Shop

Crooked Creek Fort Peck Reservoir

“I have sad news,”  Bob says.  “I have closed my shop.  The decision was hard. “   So if you need any supplies you will need to bring them with you.

***Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina   1-406- 557-2345

They are catching   Northerns and  bass  in the shallows on spoons.   Walleye fishing is still slow. It is picking up west toward Timber creek.   Only a few perch are being  caught mostly on minnows.

***Gene Moore   Lake ridge Motel    1-406-526-3597

Fort Peck Reservoir Dam/Bear Creek/Pines/

Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says, “   Fishing is  real  good right now for walleyes and  sauger.  The Northerns have slowed down a bit here.  They are catching lake trout at 30 to 35 feet depths.” Gene explains.   “ Guys are using deep dive cranks,” he  says.

***West Side Sports – Dan 1-406-654-1611 

Nelson,   Forchette

Dan at West Side Sports tells us,.”  Nelson is hit and  miss.  They are using body bouncers at night.  They’re using  crankbaits  on  Northerns .”   He said, “Forchette  has high water  with lots of stuff floating down.  It is pretty dirty. With the rain you can expect muddy roads going in. ”   he says.

 ***Deadmans and Martinsdale

Justin says,” Musselshell’s water has increased cloudiness so fishing is not as good.   ”Martinsdale fishing  is better and is best  at the  inlet.   At Deadmans   the rainbows are picking up .  He says, “ they are catching a few Kokanee from the boat.”

***Matt Stephens-  Tongue River Marina   1-406-757-2225

Tongue River Reservoir

Matt  says,  “ I went out yesterday and got my limit of walleye and  caught smallmouth as well so that was nice. So it is just starting not everyone is as lucky.  The water temperature is around 66 degrees.   People are using minnows but fishermen seem to be catching a few more on leeches.  People are using dark colored jigs   and   also  mixed colored  jigs, “ he tells us .  Crappies are picking up.

*** Silos Marina Sharon  266-3100

Canyon Ferry

“Fishing   is going well.  They are fishing for walleye   at night about 6pm to 11 pm.   Ponds  one and two  are fishing well  and  pond  three is coming on   Sharon says.    She said she knows of a  22, 23 and 24  incher being caught and they are  mostly males.   The females are just starting. They are liking   cranks but also using jigs and bottom bouncers.   Water temperature is   64 to   65 degrees.

 ***Minnow bucket  Allen Camarillo  348-2440

“The Yellowstone river is high and muddy,” Allen says.  “  They  are catching catfish and small mouth  on the  Musselshell east of Roundup using  crankbaits and minnows mostly, I hear  ,”  Allen said .

***Lake Elmo  Billings

People are starting to catch catchable fish  in the morning .   The lake is full now.

***Cooney

It is starting to pick up.   The water level is coming up.   “Walleye  seems  to be  picking up  at sunset and until 9 to 10 pm in front of the dam.  They are mostly at 25 feet depth right in front of the Dam or by Cottonwood Campground trolling. ” people have told Nick.

***Don’s      Dave  1-800-879-8194 

Lewistown East Fork Reservoir

Dave  says, “Fishing is good on the Missouri River.  They are catching catfish on   hooks, sinkers and  worms.   “  Spring Creek is fishing well for rainbows.  Most colors are working well.    They like rainbow , colored  wolly  jiggers ,”  he says.

***Dailey Lake 

A report came in that perch are still slow catching on Daley Lake.  It is still a bit early for catching many I was told.

Fishing Report COMPILED BY Carol Henckel

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