Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 4.29.13
By angelamontana

Posted: May 1, 2013
(photo courtesy of montanaangler.com)
 
 

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

Please be advised that conditions can change daily so please call the contact person in the area you are planning on FISHING for current daily information. Weather is changing and some days wind can be a big factor.

Keep an eye on the weather while you are out there and stay safe.  Good luck FISHING from the Montana Outdoor Radio Crew.

Bill -Rock Creek Marina 1-406-485-2560
The fishermen have been out this week. It has been windy. I saw someone bring in a 31 ½ inch walleye. Some are getting their limit. The water temperature in the main channel is 47 degrees and in the bay it is 50 to 52 degrees. They are using jigs and minnows for walleyes and when they catch a northern pike it is on minnows. The spawn is slow. They are fishing in 4 to 10 feet of water towards shore. We are now open as of May 1st and taking reservations at this time.

Bob Peterson-Tongue River Reservoir

Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Greg

“Fishing has been quiet. We have seen a few crappies and some small mouth being caught. They are using the usual jigs with minnows and just plain night crawler,” Greg says. He explains, ”We had a multi species tournament this past weekend with 38 boats and half caught fish and half got skunked. It was a great event. We are now open.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Northern Pike has been good. Sutherlnd has seen some lake trout.

Otherwise you can catch a few rainbow trout as well. Snow Creek is the best for walleye fishing using jig with minnow and a bottom bouncer has worked some of the time.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” Fishing has not been bad. Duck Creek, Skunk Creek and Flat lake is picking up for walleye and northern. They are using the usual, jigs and minnows and some lindyrigs with minnows. On the river they are catching Northern Pike on smelt and minnows. Lake trout are liking flutter spoons. I have seen 3 to 15 pounders. The depth has
been 35 to 40 feet off of Haxby Point. ”

Lake Elmo – Billings
Lake Elmo is being lowered temporarily for repairs 6 to 7 feet. It was started last Thursday. It is dropping slower than what was predicted. As of Monday it has only dropped 2 feet. Crews are already working but people are still fishing. The weekend had lots of people fishing. Trout are being caught. People are fishing if they can handle the cold.

Cooney Reservoir – Jenny
Walleye fishing has been slow. Rainbow trout are being caught at Fisherman point. The roads are good and all docks are in. Not much catching going on though.

Deadmans/Martinsdale – Justin
It has been better fishing on the reservoirs even though It has been windy. Fly fishing on the river has been decent.

Deadmans has open water. Not much fishing going on.

Martinsdale –  There is still no launching at the ramp still it is still too muddy. You can get on elsewhere. They have been catching here and there.

The river has been good for browns. The spawn is done or almost done.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale

At Achley Lake bait fishing is doing good on nightcrawlers. If they use a fly rod tey are using wooly buggers and a leach pattern.

Spring Creek is doing well with nymphs. On Fred Robinson and Slippery Ann they are catching walleyes, sauger and catfish with live minnows. Dale exclaims, “People are catching fish!”

Crooked Creek-Grant
Access for fishermen is not there. Water levels are going to be an issue this spring. There is no water. No supplies or owner available.

Lewistown Sports-Dave

Paddlefish opens on Wednesday. There is low water on the river.

Minnow Bucket-Allen Camarillo 861-0156

“ The catfish are biting,” Allen says. “Fishing has been good since the weather warmed on the Yellowstone. They are catching small mouth and catfish on minnows. It seems to be better at night. It is just a patter of finding a good spot and you are catching.”

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

“The wind has been a part of fishing this week but the fishing has been good on the West end. The east side pond is producing fish if you go shallow, like 4 to 5 feet deep. They are about to spawn. Someone caught two 31 inchers and a 30 incher. You can catch lot of rainbow trout. We are trying to get the word out that the Broadway Rod and Gun Tournament will be held at Canyon Ferry this year instead of Goose Bay on July 12 th ”,Sharon says.

West Side Sports Dan 1-406-654-1611

“Wind has been blowing this week. Nelson is picking up. People are using bottom bouncers with a nightcrawler for walleye on Nelson. Crankbait is working for northern pike. Everyone is playing it by ear, “Dan says. We are just waiting for Spring,” Dan says.

Forchette “The road is very muddy. It is really low,” Dan says.

Billings-Scheels Lucky

Lucky says, “Tongue was good fishing for the tournament this last weekend.  Eighty fish were caught. The perch are spawning. Northern pike have been small so far. Going deep seems to work. We were kind of surprised they caught quite a few walleye and crappies with bottom bouncers. The rivers didn’t get dirty so fishing has been excellent. The Fred Robinson is good. Rosebud has been up and down for fishing. On the Yellowstone catfish and bass were on the rise.”

Rich’s Tackle – Richard

“Wind has been a problem but mornings are better. But the weekend is going to be warm. They were catching male walleyes on Lake Helena. They are getting 14 to 18 inch fish. Silos has produced walleye 7 to 14 inches.

The trout are biting. They are limiting out. ”

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