Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 11.4.13
By angelamontana

Posted: November 6, 2013

(Compiled by Carol Henckell)

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 wind has been blowing for the last 4 days. Some white caps have been on the water. I have only seen a couple of northerns being caught. They were little. Caught on blue and silver. A few duck hunters have also been catching lake trout further down. 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

“Fishing has slowed. I checked one group of fisherman with 20 crappie but most are catching one or two. If they are catching it is all species walleye, trout, crappie. I know some guys are catching walleye off the shore,” Jordon said. 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

“Fishing for pike is fair right now. I saw some 13 and 15 pounders caught. Bass are going shallow 6 to 8 feet. Only a few walleye coming out. We have had 45 to 50 mph wind. Temps were 40 degrees or so,”, the clerk says. The docks are still in.

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

Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” Lake trout is still pretty good catching at the face of the dam, at Bear Creek and Hakesbee point. Salmon are over.

There are turning black and have spots on them. They are done. A few northerns being caught.”

Lake Elmo Billings

Shore fishing has slowed because of the cold weather. Only a few fishermen out there.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri

We got snow here. Before the storm rainbow trout was the only thing I saw being caught. They are getting them on the point of Red Lodge Creek,”Jenny says. All docks have been pulled. Camp spots are first come first serve.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin

“Some fishing on Martinsdale is still happening. A few trout from shore has happened. Winter temps are helping. 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 fishermen there and no reports of any results.

Yellowtail

Some action fishing at Yellowtail is being reported. The weather changed the catching with the storm.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale

“We are making ice with this weather. The upper and lower Carters have a thin layer of ice. Spring Creek is fishable. They are catching rainbows and bass using spinners. Small cranks using good and silver are catching”, Charlie says.

Achley Lake fishermen are using worms and spawn sacks.

The Missouri river is still fair for catfish. A few walleye and sauger ”, Dale said.

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 again has muddied up. Cat fish are being caught on cut bait.

Some people are catching some sauger using minnows at Custer,” Allen says.

Cooney fishermen are catching a few trout and perch.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

“Fishing is actually good. Rainbows off shore are good. They are catching using just worms and a bobber. Guys are getting some walleyes too.

They are out there just really deep. It is 45 degrees and no wind today.

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

“If you can beat the wind Nelson is still good. They are using a jig and a minnow for walleye. Go deep, as low as you can go. The walleye bite has slowed. Decent fish are being caught actually ”, said Dan.

Forchette

The Northern pike are still biting. There has been some wind. They seem to be in shallow water and people are using minnows.

Billings-Scheels Nate

Nate says,” We haven’t heard much this week. I would say try Yellowtail as it was fishing fairly well last week. Weather has slowed things down Just waiting for ice.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard

Canyon Ferry is producing a few fish A couple of walleyes and rainbows have been caught. Use smiley blades and slow death at 30 feet.

The Jefferson has the few trout being caught on crawlers at 30 feet from shore.

Word is Hauser fishermen are still catching a few perch.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

Not many people fishing. We got a skiff of snow. The Stillwater has dropped to 500 CFS and the lower is still floatable. If it warms up streamers will be good. 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 pretty good. We are seeing a few tricots on the water but not in mass. It all depends on the air temperatures. Tricots are 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.

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel; Cover photo: caregiving.com)

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