Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 5.13.13
By angelamontana

Posted: May 15, 2013
(photo courtesy of itsnature.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
“Fishing was good yesterday (Sunday) there was no wind,” Bill says. The water temperature in the main channel is 52 degrees. Walleyes are being caught at 5 to 15 feet. Orange jigs with black eyes and minnows seem to work. Worm harness is working south on the point.

The week before they ran out of minnows half way through the week so call and check supply before you come up. Also check on available spaces as it has been really busy.

Tongue River Reservoir- Bob Peterson
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton
“Walleye fishing has been fantastic. It has been really good using worm harnesses. Some people are using jigs as well as the water is nice and clear. Crappies have been just okay. Perch have been steady. They are small but good. As the water is warming they seem to be turning on, ”Colton says.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“Fishing has been pretty good overall. The Northern Pike and walleye are being found in shallow at 4 to 15 feet. The best places are Snow Creek and Sutherland. Small mouth bass are at 6 to 10 feet in shallow. Cranks are still working on pike. Dead Creek to Forsyte are also fishing well,” Clint says.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” We finally have warm weather starting.
The dry arm is pretty dam good. Duck Creek, Bear Creek and Jennings Point are picking up for walleye and northern. They are using the usual, jigs and minnows and some lindy rigs with minnows. A ton of Northern Pike are being caught on the river and lake. Just a few walleye so far. Lake trout are picking up. Lindy’s are also working. Lake trout are picking up as well.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Lake Elmo is still lowered temporarily for the repairs. As of Monday the irrigation people have not started on the headgate to replace it. So we hope to see digging and action going on this week. You can still use a chair and a pole on the lowered water beach area. People can fish and are catching trout and a few catfish.
Cooney Reservoir – Jenny
Jenny says, “People have been reporting walleye fishing has been good.

With walleyes they are going deep with a minnow trolling. Trout fishing has also been good off the shore. The lake is rising slowly.”

There has been vandalism on the north shore campground. Someone tore down the fence and burned it. Anyone who knows anything please call Tip Mont.“

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin

The river is still okay. The flows are low but some fish are being caught.

Fishing is so so at best at Deadmans. Some people are catching a few rainbows.

Martinsdale

It is picking up at Martinsdale. Some people are limiting out. Fishing is good from shore. You can’t use the boat ramp yet but you can launch off the point. Ramp still it is still too muddy.

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

Don’s Lewistown- Dale
Spring Creek is fishing well. People are using the “local ties” as well as blue wings and nymphs. We are seeing some caddis action. ”Achley Lake is doing well. The water is lowering. You are not able to use a boat.

There has been no run off so it is tough launching. Shore fishing for trout is good bait fishing, spin fishing and also using flies,” Dale says.

The Missouri has been doing extremely well for walleye, sauger and catfish. Use standard catfish bait, fish the holes with live minnows for decent catching. The Missouri is slow for paddlefish so far.

Crooked Creek-Grant
Due to water levels being too low you cannot fish or use your boat at Crooked Creek. The marina will not be open. It is closed but cabins are still available for other uses just call 1-406-429-2999.

Lewistown Sports-Dave
There is a good hatch of may flies on Spring Creek and people are catching trout.

On the Missouri you can catch catfish, walleye and northerns off the bank.

They are trying a hook and sinker and minnows. There is low water on the river.

Minnow Bucket-Allen Camarillo 861-0156

The Yellowstone has turned high and muddy. It has been good for catfish,” Allen says. “The Big Dry Arm is hot I hear.” The Yellowstone Catfish Challenge Tournament was a success. They had 45 teams and was a great time.
I would say you should head to the lakes.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

“Fishing has been absolutely excellent for walleyes. If you go shallow on the South end on both sides. bites. Rainbows are good fishing right now.

Everything is working right now cranks, bottom bouncers and worms. I have seen four 30 inchers this week. The Flamingo Grill is now open. Broadway Rod and Gun Tournament is moved to Canyon Ferry this year instead of Goose Bay on July 12 th ”,Sharon says.

West Side Sports Dan 1-406-654-1611

“Nelson is fishing better if you can get away from the wind. They are using bottom bouncers and night crawlers for walleye. Shad rap with crankbait is working for northern pike. Berkley flicker shads seem to be working well. Forchette-“The locals are just not going as it is just too low,” Dan says.

Billings-Scheels Lucky

Lucky says, “Fort Peck still has the spawn happening.

The count limit for paddlefish has been met. The Yellowstone and at Fred Robinson has raised 2 fet and is muddy,” Lucky explains.
Cowbells for rainbow trout are working on Martinsdale,” Nate says.

Waco by Custer is doing well for catfish right now.

Big Horn has been good for browns fly fishing.

“Tongue fishing for the tournament resulted in 86 fih caught with 27 walleye. No cat fish were caught,” Lucky said.
Rich’s Tackle – Richard

“Fishing has been pretty good this week around here. But I hear fishing is real good on Hebegan and Ennis. They are catching nice browns on worms right now. The water has turned muddy on the Gallatin, Jefferson and the Madison. The Gallatin is the worst for muddy water,” Rich says.
Yellowtail/ Big Horn –Dave Egdorf 406-665-3489
Bighorn River “The river is producing. There is lots of bug life and there are a lot of browns being caught ,” Dave says. Both ‘dry and wet’ midge patterns are working. The Reservoir is doing well with a minnow or jig especially close to the dam. The spawn is on. It is a mixed bag what you can catch.

Willow Creek Reservoir– “They are catching nice big rainbow trout. Four days ago one trout was caught in the double digits was caught. A really nice one, “ Dave says.

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