Northerns Are Going Crazy On Fort Peck: Eastern Montana Fishing Report
By Matt Schauer

Posted: July 11, 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 MontanaOutdoor Radio Crew.

Rock Creek Marina

Bill (406) 485-2560

Linda reports, “good  fishing this week on cranks.”  They are catching northern, bass and walleye. Be advised, to catch the walleye and northern you need to troll slow.  Many are re-using leeches and worms.  Water temperatures are in the 70’s.

Bob’s Bait Shop

Crooked Creek on Fort Peck Reservoir

Bob said, “my shop is closed. So if you need any supplies you will need to bring them with you.”

Hell Creek Marina

Clint Thomas (406) 557-2345

Fishing is really good.  The walleyes are good.  There are reports of anglers catching walleye and northern at Timber Creek.  They are pitching spoons and jigs in the weeds for bass.  Northerns are going crazy.      

Lake Ridge Motel

Gene Moore (406) 526-3597

Fort Peck Reservoir Dam/Bear Creek/Pines

Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge reports the “fishing is still good.  Anglers are catching walleye in the river and the water temperature is 72 degrees.”

West Side Sports

Dan (406) 654-1611

Nelson, Forchette

Dan at West Side Sports tells us, “Nelson is good for perch and northerns.  The northerns are being caught on crank baits.”   Walleye are not very active, at this time.  They are using bottom bouncers, night crawlers, leeches and crankbaits.  Also, Forchette is fishing pretty good.

Cooney Reservoir

Fishing has improved.  Skilled fishermen have been able to catch their limit pretty quickly. The fishing is still best at night and sometimes early morning, because of water recreation activities.

Deadmans and Martinsdale

Martinsdale is pretty good fishing from the boat, but fishing from the shoreline is not as good.  Many anglers are limiting out, mostly by trolling for fish.  Please be reminded that Martinsdale is a fee camping area.

The river is dead and slow at this time.  They are catching a few on shore.  The bite is slowed because of the heat.

Tongue River Marina

Matt Stephens (406) 757-2225

Matt reported, “they are catching lots of walleyes on a crawler or a leech, jigging.” People are still  catching on cranks and flickershads.  Craw daddies are working as well.    The crappie they are catching are with trolling crankbaits or jigging, but only catching a few.

Silos Marina, Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Sharon (406) 266-3100

Fishing is good.  The South end in the shallows is fishing well.  The average size fish is 17 to 20 inches with a few bigger.  White Earth is now fishing good, as well as Pond 4.  “They are catching everything, walleye, trout and perch,”  Sharon reported.

Minnow Bucket

Allen Camarillo (406) 348-2440

“They are catching catfish and small mouth bass,” Allen reported.   The water is much clearer.   Word has it, a few walleye and sauger were caught by Hyshum.  The River is clearer and it just needs to drop now, but it seems to be better everyday.

Lake Elmo, Billings

People are catching small trout.  The high temperatures have slowed things down..

Don’s, Lewistown East Fork Reservoir

Dave 1-800-879-8194

“Spring Creek  is hot. Lots of clear water and it is going down.  They are using PMD’s, which are working well.  Red humpies and elk hair caddis are also working well.   The East Fork, South of Lewistown, is fishing well for northern pike and perch.

Forchette is also fishing very well.  They are using bubble gum jug heads and leeches or fire tigers with a leech.

The Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the week of 7/11/12 was compiled by Carol Henckel

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