(Fishing report compiled by Carol Henckel)

Please be advised that ice conditions are changing daily so please call the contact person in the area you are planning on fishing for current daily information.  Also, use extreme caution   on the ice at all times and remember that road conditions also can change with melting. Good luck fishing from the Montana Outdoor Radio Crew.

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

“Fishing is still good. Walleye are starting to be caught more often.  Northern Pike are still good.  The ice is 12 to 16 inches thick.

Bob Peterson-Tongue River Reservoir

Fishing has been steady. .  The ice is good, over a foot.  There is a ½ to an inch of snow on top which is  just enough to make pulling the sled and gear out easier. I have seen catfish, perch crappies, walleye in varied sizes.  South end has been slower and the middle has been better catching.

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

Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir

Northern pike fishing is happening in the bay we have been told by fishermen.   They say walleye fishing is picking up.

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

Fort Peck Reservoir Dam/Bear Creek/Pines/

Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says” The early week the weather has been nice.  Today the wind is up and the wind chill factor is high.  They are catching more walleyes lately. The walleye are  liking the points.  They are catching lake trout out in the lake right now as well.

 Lake Elmo – Billings

No ice fishermen out there this week.  Rainbows are really slow fishing.

 Cooney Reservoir – Jenny

“The ice is pretty good.  There is still some open water in places because of the varying air temperatures. The reservoir is still up a bit”, Jenny says. Trout fishing has slowed down. Ling are being caught now more consistently at night.

DeadmanslMartinsdale – Justin

Fishing is good depending on the location right now.  Martinsdale has some open water. Fishing is okay.  The fishing is better from shore.  They are catching an occasional brown but mostly rainbow trout.

Deadmans The ice conditions are not any better. There is difficulty getting on the ice.  The edges are still soft in places. You might get some fish from shore.

 Don’s Lewistown- Dale

Fishing was good this week. At Ackley the Rainbow trout was good. They are using corn and worms.  The middle of the lake is punky and the fishing is better around the perimeter.   “Fort Peck Crooked Creek has bad ice to Anderson point ”, Dale says .Fork Peck I hear is good in the shallows.

Forchette and Hell Creek they say has good ice and is fishing  well.  I am hearing Nelson is good and steady for northern pike, perch and a bit of walleyes.

Crooked Creek-Grant

According to fishermen ice is not safe and you have to go in by way of Devils Creek.

No supplies available.

 Lewistown Sports-Dave

Achley Lake is good for trout. Glow hooks and power bait is the bait to use.

Minnow Bucket-Allen Camarillo 861-0156

Tongue seems to be where everyone is heading. Fishing is spotty but if you find them it can be good.  They are trying for ling at night but I have not heard the results.  People going to Fort Peck people are finding northerns and some walleyes.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

Rainbow trout have been awesome. Perch seem to be starting to move. If you can find them they are coming in with their limit.  Walleye fishing has been good.  Ice is still thick 12 to 19 inches  but the locals have marked some areas with pressure ridge issues. “You can navigate around them, Sharon says.She hears there is some open water on the river and it is starting to open up at dike 4. It is still important to stop at the store before going out but pressure ridges are marked.

West Side Sports Dan 1-406-654-1611

Nelson still has good ice. The ice is 16 to 20 inches deep. Walleye is slow.  Perch and northern pike are on the bite.  They are using minnows for bait.

Forchette has ice and access is okay. People say it is hit and miss for walleye and they are small.

 Rich’s Tackle -Richard 1-406-285-4540

(Now closed on Mondays)

At Canyon Ferry there are fish being caught but the trick is to find them.

Billings-Scheels Nate

Nate  says, “Lots of fishing pressure on Tongue.   Ice has lots of traffic. Few crappie and walleye are being caught.”  Ice at Crooked Creek has gotten bad. You have to go out by way of Devil’s Creek.

On Fort Peck Hell Creek has picked up for walleye.  There is water on the ice but it is freezing again every night. Go west you can’t travel East.