(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 and possible snow 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.

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

Bill says “ Lots of Northern pike are being caught. One of the Pikemasters got 87 in 3 days mostly caught and released. Not a lot of walleye being caught. Bass can be found in weed beds using blue and silver. This is the last week we will be open for a few months. We will have minimum services but if you need information leave a message on the answering machine and we will try to get back to you. I will be around but we will open when the ice comes in later.

Tongue River Reservoir

Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson

Crappie fishing is still good. Better bass fishing is happening. Keep an eye out for low spots. The water level has gotten a little higher.

The marina is closed for the year.

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

Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir

Fishing for bass is still great. They are being caught. Walleyes are picking up as well. Most are eater size. Guys are getting northern pike as well cranking. There was a 13, 12, 9, and 8 pounder caught. Bottom bouncing with crawler harness will work best.

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

Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” Salmon fishing has been a on and off proposition this week. Go 70 to 75 feet deep. People are still using flashers and squids in blue and green. Walleyes, northern pike and small mouth are fairly good. Find biting lake trout in the river channel from Hacksbee point to the face of the dam. Lake trout are being caught at 100 to 120 feet. Walleye are doing well at 25 to 30 feet off the main lake point. Fish for pike in the weeds and around submerged trees.”

Lake Elmo Billings

The osprey are actively catching fish so they are out there. People are definitely still out trying to catch something. It has slowed but they are still being caught.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri

There are no fire restriction come and enjoy camping and fishing. It is now irst come first serve for campgrounds. Walleye fishing has slowed down and people are using worms trolling close to shore. The perch are starting to bite. At Red Lodge Creek try bright colored marshmellows. The water level is up with the rain but there is some beach. They don’t see it going down this year.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin

“Martinsdale is pickig up and is up some. The cooler temps are helping.

They are catching rainbow trout and browns. People are catching nice one to two pounders. Small boats are able to go out at this point. Fishing Martinsdale very early in the mornings and evenings will give you some success,” Justin says.

Deadmans Deadmans has improved. It is definitely better than July or August. Labor day was better fishing. Fishing off shore finds more success. The launch is okay. You can get in and out using the concrete part of the ramp.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale

We are all waiting for ice fishing now. On Spring Creek fishing this week was slightly better. The water has been clear and cold. Use blue wing olives. During the day Adam’s are having success.

Not much action on Achley. Fishing is very slow.

Forchette Bay at Fort Peck is doing well. The walleye are coming on. They are catching 16 to 20 inch fish on the average. Go 15 to 25 feet with worm harness’ for success.

On the Missouri at Fred Robinson fishing for catfish has picked up a bit.

Use traditional bait. Fall is coming”, Dale said.

Crooked Creek-Grant

Crooked Creek is very low. The marina is not open. It is closed but cabins are still available for other uses just call 1-406-429-2999.

Minnow Bucket-Allen Camarillo 861-0156

The Yellowstone cleared a bit this week. But they are saying we will have some rain again. The cats are still biting with the dirty water. Use minnows and nightcrawlers. Sauger and walleye will start biting when it clears I think as it was before.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

“Fishing was slow this week. The water has lowered a lot,” Sharon says. I have seen a few trout being caught. Experienced fishermen are catching 6 to 10 perch on average. With the water so low stop by the Silos so we can let you know the low areas to watch out for. Be careful at Broadwater Bay. Stay to the north away from the sandbar near Gazebo 1.

West Side Sports Dan 1-406-654-1611

Nelson has picked up. They seem to be a “better quality”. Try bottom bouncers for walleye at 16 to 18 feet deep. Northerns are at 8 to 12 feet right now. Fish with cranks for them.

Forchette

Rain is in the forecast so watch road conditions as they can change. At Forchette Bay walleyes have slowed not quit that good. The bite is good for Northern pike seem to be in shallow water.

Billings-Scheels Nate

Not much good fishing this week. On the Yellowstone rain has made the waters dirty. That makes dangerous water so be careful!

At Yellowtail fishing is poor we hear.

Tongue River-Fishing has been good we hear at Tongue for crappie or walleye. Try red and white, pearl and chartreuse. Anything you put in would work right now.

Rich’s Tackle – Richard

The rivers are coming up because of the fact that they have quit irrigating and we have had some rain. In fact it is raining right now.

The restrictions have been lifted. Fishing is good on the Bear Trap below the Ennis dam or above the North Highway going South.

Canyon Ferry: I hear Canyon Ferry fishing has been on and off this week. If you are lucky to get walleyes they are eater size. Rainbow trout size is nice as well if you catch one.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

The water has cleared a little bit. Now we are hearing we will be getting some more rain so things will probably change again. There is a slight rise in the Stillwater and Yellowstone again. The Stillwater was 1700 CFM early this week. Lots of limbs and mud coming down.

No floating right now. You might be able to fish from a bank. About the only thing that will work are streamers right now.

We think late September and October will be great fishing.

Fort Smith Trout Shop 666-2375 Rich

The water is still 45 degrees at the After Bay. At 3 mile use baetes for dry flies. On the Big horn at 3 mmile black caddis and PMDs are working for dry flies. Try green Ray Charles and olive pheasant nymphs as they are working.

With nymphing pink sow bugs, Barr’s and baetes are working.

PMD’s student can be used as well. The PMDs hatch has tapered off.

(Cover photo: wetaworm.com)