Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 11.11.13
By angelamontana

Posted: November 13, 2013

(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.

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

The weather has definitely gotten colder. No ice yet. Only a few northerns being caught. They were little. Walleyes and bass are few and far between.

We will not be open for a few months. Bill has pulled all docks except the two courtesy docks. He will have minimum services but if you need information leave a message on the answering machine and he will try to get back to you. He says he will not be around but will be open when the ice comes in later.”

Tongue River Reservoir

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

Crappie fishing is slow. Most are catching one or two. The other species like walleye and trout are biting but everything is way down.

Most guys are catching walleye off the shore. All the docks have been pulled and are not in. The water is up 3 to 4 feet. The marina is closed for the year.

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

Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir

“Only a few pike being taken right now. The weather is cold. We have no ice. If you catch walleye or bass they are shallow. Just not a lot of  action or fishermen. The docks are still in.

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

Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” Lake trout are still biting at Bear Creek and Hakesbee point. Salmon are done, no action at all. A few northerns are being caught.”

Lake Elmo Billings

Fishing from shore has slowed. With the cold only a few fishermen were out there.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri

Rainbow trout are pretty much the only thing being caught. Try getting them on the point of Red Lodge Creek. The best fishing time is first thing in the morning to 10 am, ”Jenny says. All docks have been pulled.

Camp spots are first come first serve.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin

“Catch trout fishing on Martinsdale by doing it off shore. Winter temps are helping the bite. Launching a boat is hard and will be from now on,” Justin says.

Deadmans

Deadmans can only be accessed by the ramp not the dock because of very low water. Not seeing any fishermen there and no reports of any results.

Yellowtail

Yellowtail is reporting some sauger being caught. The cold some say picked up the bite.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale

“It has been quiet here. Fishermen are not going out too cold. Just waiting for ice. The small ponds like upper and lower Carters have a thin layer of ice. Our nights have been in the 20’s. Spring Creek is fishable.

They are catching rainbows and bass”, Charlie says.

Crooked Creek-Grant

The water is a long way out so boat launching is not possible. 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 river has cleared again from Forsythe to Hysham. They are catching sauger, walleye and some small mouth of the average size. Cat fish have slowed. People are using crankbaits, jigs and minnows. The bite is hit and miss still,” Allen says.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

“Fishing is actually fair. Mostly rainbows being caught. Fishermen have enjoyed a couple of days of 60 degrees. You can catch walleye up north by the dam. They are catching trout from shore with just worms and a bobber for trout and the usual variations of lures for walleyes.

Call us for information on the water at the Silos. We will give you the latest information. The docks are low. Be careful at Broadwater Bay. Stay to the north away from the sandbar near Gazebo 1,” Sharon says.

West Side Sports Dan 1-406-654-1611

“The bite has slowed. It has snowed and we have about 2 inches but it has been cold. We are waiting for ice. The small ponds have thin ice. Nelson has no ice. If you fish there go deep using a jig ”, said Dan.

Forchette

A few Northern pike are still biting. There has been wind. They seem to be in the shallow water.

Billings-Scheels Nate

Matt says,” Not much word on fishing this week. Yellowtail is fishing fair this week. Weather has slowed things down. Waiting for ice.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard

Canyon Ferry is producing a few fish. The experienced fisherman is catching. The trout I doing good.

The rivers are up. Jefferson has a few trout being caught. Use crawlers at 30 feet from shore.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

Not many people fishing. The Stillwater has dropped and the lower is still floatable. Streamers should work. Warmer weather will increase dry fishing success. Continue to use blue wing olive. The Yellowstone is still floatable. Hours during the week have changed in the shop and they are open Tuesday to Sat from 9 am to 2 pm now. We are closed Sunday and Monday.

Fort Smith Trout Shop 666-2375 Rich

Fishing is decent. We are seeing a few tricots on the water but not in mass. Tricots are being seen from After Bay to 2 leggins on all 30 miles.

Look for them right on the surface. Use black caddis or a mottled tan caddis. They work well after noon from the middle to the lower section.

You can use midges 365 days of the year and they work.

The lower river is dirty from moss. Wet nymphing would be good. Use a washed out scud in light white pink. Others that would work would be a san-juan I red orange two tone. Use also pink soft hackle, zebra midges, olive pheasant tail and a tongue teaser zebra midge. The water temperature is 40 to 43 degrees depending on where you are on the river.

For streamers the best way to catch fish is with using the dirty hippie or Mutca or any light cream colored one. You can also use the j-J Special Big horn but only at 2 to 3 inches or you will not have success. Only that length.

(Cover photo: grahamowengallery.com)

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