Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 12.22.13
By angelamontana

Posted: December 24, 2013

Report 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 constantly and some days wind and snow can be a big factor. Ice conditions are dangerous so be very aware of what you are walking on. Keep an eye on the weather while you are out there and stay safe.

Merry Christmas to all   from the Outdoor Radio Crew!

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“We had two groups of fishermen here.  Only a few walleye were caught and
a few more northern pike.  Fishing was slow,” Bill says. Both bays have
ice.  You can use a 4 wheeler on the back bay but it needs watching. There
has been a lot of wind. The ice is 8 to 12 inches,” He says. 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
be around while the ice is on.

Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordon
Jordon says,” The minnow machine is in and has live minnows in it.  It
is set up by the marina. They are sold  by the dozen at the machine.
Fishing has been good.  Crappie, perch, walleye and some northern pike
are being caught. A few limits  caught. Four wheelers can be used. Wax
worms and gulp are working. There has been 5 to 10 foot of ice close and
the north end has only 5 to 6 inches deep.  The marina is closed for the
year.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“It was 30 below last night. The wind has really been blowing.  We have
6 to 8 inches   by the marina. There are 3 to 4 inches at the mouth and
only 2 inches at the lake.  I expect to have decent ice after the New
year,” Clint reports.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” It has been below zero and way too cold.
No one wants to go out fishing in this cold. The wind has been blowing 20
to 25 mph. We still only have a small amount of ice. Not much in the
river. It is just not safe at all.  Way too early here to fish.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Fishermen have been coming out.  Guys are catching a few trout if they
can stand the cold and snow.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Cooney has 17 inches of ice. Cooney got 6 inches of new snow in the last
few days. Fishing has been okay. Fisherman are heading to fisherman’s
point. Red Lodge Creek a bit better. Camp spots are first come first
serve.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin
Martinsdale is fishing good.  Plenty of ice. Over a foot. Fishing is okay.
They are catching some rainbow trout. I only checked a few catches,”
Justin said.

Deadmans
“Deadmans has great ice, over a foot. The fishing is not as good as it has
been.  They are still snagging some. The salmon are biting,” Justin said.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale
“Lots of ice round here.  Trout fishing is doing well. Ice is about 8 to
12 inches thick. They are using lead magnets, whip tails and jumping
worms. Nelson has steady ice. They are catching walleyes and northern
pike. Deadmans I am hearing has slowed. They have 2 to 5 feet of ice,”
Dale 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-Eddie White  696-1281
Eddie White is the new owner of the Minnow Bucket.  Please note the new
phone number to call. The fishing on Cooney has gotten better. Some are
catching fish at Fisherman’s Point. There was some good fishing at Tongue.
Perch and crappies are being caught on blood worms. Yellowstone is not
fishable. The minnow bucket does have minnows for sale.”
Eddie says,” Castle Rock has the gate up and it is closed for some work.”

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
We have ice.  The ice is 10 inches or more and there is ice out to   Goose
Bay. Nice catches of trout are being caught.  Fishing is better than last
week.  Weather has been a definite factor this week. Call us for
information on the ice at the Silos.  We will give you the latest
information.

West Side Sports Dan 1-406-654-1611
“There is 12 to 14 inches of ice on Nelson. Spearing slowed some. Tip ups
are working well using live bait. Four wheelers or walking are getting on
the ice.  No information on Forchette.  Just not hearing it’s ready. It
has been 20 below. Conditions change all the time so watch the weather”,
said Dan.

Billings-Scheels Nate
Lake Elmo and Cooney are catching fish. Guys are fishing the south end
of Tongue through the ice. Crappie fishing has started using jigs and
spoons. There also is ice fishing on Deadmans.

Rich’s Tackle Richard
“Perch are being caught on Canyon Ferry at 45 to 50 feet deep. They are
catching trout on and off with better luck early in the am like 7 to 9 and
late afternoon from 3 to 5pm.  The Ruby Reservoir is fishing fair using
tip ups and  lures.  Ice is 16 inches deep. The Causeway at Hauser is
frozen and they are ice fishing. Confederate has ice,” Rich says.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
It really is too dangerous right now. Temps have been really cold and we
got more snow again. Weather is pretty unpredictable. Fishing access would
make it way too rough to go out right now.  The Yellowstone was slushy
before this so the edges are pretty built up. Just don’t take the chance.
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.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rich
Nymphing is decent.  All you have to do is put it down right now and they
are taking it.  Streamers are  working using black, blue and white. Blue
wing olives or baetes were working.  Our shop hours have changed and we
are open 7 am to noon.

(Cover photo: izismile.com)

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