EASTERN MONTANA FISHING REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF 11/25/13
By angelamontana

Posted: November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

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
Rough water and cold temps have made fishing difficult. Wind is a factor.
Just no one out because of it. Just waiting for ice. We will not be open
for a few months. All docks except  the two courtesy docks have been
pulled. There is only a minimum of services but if you need information
leave a message on the answering machine and Bill 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/Warden Jordon
Fisherman  have had poor success. Things have slowed way down. Ice
forming on the south end but very thin.   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
It is so cold. Only hunters are out there right now. Ice is forming in
the coolies and then the wind pulls them out in the middle so winter is
here. We have 4 to 5 inches of snow. The shore is a good possibility for
catching. Pike are out there but fishing is not happening right now. The
docks are still in.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” It has gotten really cold.  About the
only fishing that can happen is from shore right now.  Lake trout can be
caught if you can handle the elements with jigs and cut minnows. It takes
going deep.  A few walleyes are being caught in the dredge cuts. Lots of
geese and ducks out there right now.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Cold weather has left not much results from shore right now. With the
cold  few fishermen were out there.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Few fish being caught here. Try on the point of Red Lodge Creek. Half of
the lake covered with thin ice.  The water level will stay at this level,
”Jenny says. All docks have been pulled. Camp spots are first come first
serve.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin
“Martinsdale There is no open area at Martinsdale now.  Temps are in the
20’s to the teens,” Justin says.

Deadmans
Deadmans is also making ice. No fishing happening from shore as ice is
forming and because of the temperatures.  There is water on top of ice.
You absolutely cannot walk on it right now.

Yellowtail
Yellowtail is reporting some sauger being caught. The cold weather did
pick  up the bite.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale
“The challenge is fishing. It is just too treacherous. Thin ice on the
ponds is forming. Everyone is just waiting for ice ”, Charlie says.

Crooked Creek-Grant
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. There are some small mouth of the average
size being caught. Use crankbaits, jigs and minnows,” Allen says.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Fishing for rainbows is still a possibility.  The weather is pretty cold
to be out there.  Try trout from shore with just worms and a bobber.
Call us for information on the water at the Silos.  We will give you the
latest information.

West Side Sports Dan 1-406-654-1611
“Not too nice these days.  Thick ice can be found around the edges right
now. You just can’t fish yet. We are waiting for ice. The small ponds have
ice but not safe yet”, said Dan.

Billings-Scheels Lucky
Nate says,” I heard Nelson has 5 inches.  I question if you can fish on
it yet.  It may need to harden more.
Havre has some fishing in some ponds depending on how long we have this
cold. The Yellowstone river is still fishable.  Some days you can get the
boat in and then some days it just is not possible. They are catching
walleye and sauger.”

Lucky says,”This is when I am on the river.  It is the time to get out
there just be careful. The water is still clear. Either fish from shore or
boat.  Bass fishing is great from Huntley to Waco.  This is the best bite
of the year at Miles City.  Use cranks go deeper and look for them to be
bunched up.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard
Slow fishing at Canyon Ferry.
The rivers are up. Jefferson has a few trout being caught. Use crawlers at
30 feet from shore.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Really not much fishing going on. Nymphing should work on the Stillwater.
Some midges can work.  On the Yellowstone streamers should work. If the
weather warms fishing dry fishing will see success. Blue wing olive can
work for fishing from shore.  Don’t be in a hurry to get fishing go late
in the morning. Expect to find it to be cold and it is slushy in a lot of
places. Don’t be in a hurry to get out there right now. Our hours during
the week have changed in the shop and we 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 still good. Dry fly fishing has been really good. The water is
cold.  We are seeing tricots and baetes coming off and that is amazing
this late. Streamers can really work especially when it is cloudy. For dry
fly fishing use CDC baetes pattern and dark olive colors. For streamers
black wooly buggers and zonkers because of the off color water. We will be
closed Thanksgiving day but after that we will be open for your needs.
Our shop hours have changed and we are open 7 am to noon.

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel; Image: turkeycreekfestival.homestead.com)

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