Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 12.16.13
By angelamontana

Posted: December 18, 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 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.

Good luck fishing from the Montana Outdoor Radio Crew.

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“Only seen a fisherman here.  I hear McGuire Creek has 8 to 12 inches of
ice,” Bill says. The back bay has 6 to 8 inches of ice. The front bay has
less than that. You can use a 4 wheeler on the back bay but it needs
watching. So it is just waiting to see what happens with the weather oming
in,” He says. 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
Jordon says,” The minnow machine went in today with live minnows.  It is
set up by the marina.  You can purchase by the dozen at the machine.
Fishing has been good. They are catching crappie, perch, walleye and
some northern pike. Some are getting their limit.  They are using four
wheelers and using wax worms or gulp. There has been 5 to 10 foot of ice
close and the north end has only 4 to 5 inches deep.  All the docks have
been pulled. The marina is closed for the year.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
We have about 5 inches as of today by the marina. We can see ice at Lucky
point. After that it is not good.  Our first fisherman will be here this
weekend to fish.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” No one wants to go out fishing in this
cold. Our temperature today is zero. Small amount of ice. Not much in the
river. Lots of geese and ducks out there right now. Come up for that
instead.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Fishermen have been coming out.  Some guys are catching that is for sure
we have heaard.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Cooney has ice and is fair fishing. Fisherman are heading to fisherman’s
point. Red Lodge Creek is fishing okay. Other places the ice is not as
good. 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 about one and a half pounds,” Justin
said.

Deadmans
“Deadmans has great ice, over a foot. I checked 25 fishermen and all of
them had salmon. The average was 6 to 10 fish per fisherman.  The salmon
are biting. It has a 35 fish limit there,” Justin said.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale
“Lots of ice round here.  Achley is good.  Doing extra good on rainbow.
Using bait jigging is working going 15 to 20 feet deep. The local blue
gill and perch ponds are working with a wide variety of lures jigging.
Nelson has steady ice. They are catching walleyes and northern pike.
Deadmans I am hearing is hot! They have 2 to 5 feet of ice. Apparently
anything is working,” 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-Allen Camarillo/Eddie White  696-1281
Allen says,” There is big news here.  I have sold the Minnow Bucket to
Eddie White.  Please note the new phone number to call. The fishing on
Cooney has been hit and miss I hear and have found on the ice. Some
catching at Fisherman’s Point. I and others have had good fishing at
Tongue. We caught perch and crappies with blood worms.  They are about 10
to 11 inches long. Some are good catchers.  We also used a mo darteers to
catch some.   The Yellowstone has cleared a bit so there are smaller
chunks. Remember currents underneath the shelves are pretty dangerous. The
minnow bucket does have minnows for sale.”
Eddie says,” They are catching fish 5 to 11 at Canyon Ferry has had
results. The Tongue I hear is hot! They are catching crappies and
walleyes. At Castle Rock they put the gate up and closed it for some
work.”

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
We have ice.  The ice is 8 or so inches thick and there is ice out to
Goose Bay. They are catching nice size trout.  Fishing people say is
better than last week I hear. 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 10 to 13 inches of ice on Nelson. Spearing has slowed up. Tipups
are good using live minnows. Guys are getting on the ice by 4 wheel or
walking only.  Not hearing that anyone is on Forchette.  Just not hearing
it’s ready. Conditions change all the time so watch the weather”, said
Dan.

Billings-Scheels Nate
Nate tells us,” Lake Elmo and Cooney I hear fish are being caught
although slow. 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.  Nelson has more than 10 inches of ice. Fresno Bay
by Havre on Fresno reservoir has ice as well. The Yellowstone has a bit
less chunks of ice. It is very dangerous. Barry’s and Sutherland I hear
has some ice.”

Rich’s Tackle -Richard
“There is ice fishing with 10 inches of ice on Canyon Ferry. The rivers of
the Gallatin, Madison and Jefferson are frozen over. The Ruby, Harrison
and Clark Canyon all have fishable decent ice. The Causeway at Hauser is
froze and they are ice fishing. Confederate has ice,” Rich says.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
With the very cold weather and snow it really is too dangerous right now.
Temps did warm but the surface just became more slick. You have to watch
for shelf ice in this kind of weather. A bit less ice out there. It would
be tough fishing if you went out and access would make it way too rough.
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
We have good fishing.  The roads are open with no ice. People are floating
and walk wading. The shuttle just took a group out. Nymphing is very good.
All you have to do is put it down right now and they are taking it.
Streamers are also working using black, blue and white. Blue wing olives
or baetes are also working.  Our shop hours have changed and we are open 7
am to noon.

(Cover photo: thecatchandthehatch.com)

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