Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 1.5.14
By angelamontana

Posted: January 8, 2014

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.

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“Fishermen are arriving this weekend.  We did not see any this week.  We
had lots of wind.  The temperature was -47 degrees with the wind chill. It
is supposed to warm up by the end of the week.  I hear they are fishing
well at the dry arm.  On New Years one group did really well on pike they
got 15 to 20. Both bays have ice,” Bill says. There is only a minimum of
services but Bill will be around now.   If you need information leave a
message on the answering machine and Bill will get back to you.

Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordon
Crappie fishing has been excellent.   A few walleye are also being
caught. Four wheelers can be used. Gulp is working. There is 10 foot of
ice  and the north end has a bit less.  You can purchase live minnows
from the  minnow machine.  It is set up by the marina. They are sold by
the dozen at the machine.  The marina is closed for the winter season.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“Monday night a fisherman caught a 16 pond walleye.    We have about 10
to 12 inches of ice in the bay. We have 8 to 10 inches at Hell Creek
west.  Going east the ice is 5 to 7 inches. It has been really cold but
we have had a lot of fishermen up here having success,” Donna reports.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” It has been 22 below with 20 mph winds.
The main lake may have closed over as I am not seeing the usual steam.
There is ice in the bay but only 4 to 6 inches thick. You can fish in the
dredge cuts. Best thing to do is call for ice information because it has
not been good ice and every day has changes.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Ice fishermen are out fishing.  Guys are catching a few trout through the
ice if they can stand the cold and changeable weather.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Cooney has 17 inches of ice. It is snow covered from the storms in the
last few days. Fishing has been slow and unpredictable as it changes
everyday. Fisherman  are heading to fisherman’s point. Red Lodge Creek is
a bit better. Camp spots are first come first serve through the winter.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin
Justin says,“ Martinsdale is open in the middle.  I don’t know why but you
can still fish around the dam. Fishing has been fair to okay.  They are
catching a few rainbow trout. I only checked a few catches.”

Deadmans
“Deadmans ice is soft around the edges and has firm ice farther out. It is
a  struggle fishing. They are still snagging some. The salmon are winding
down,” Justin said.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale
“At Achley Lake they are catching rainbow trout on basic nightcrawlers.
They are doing well. Ice is about 8 to 12 inches good thick. Go deep to 15
to 20 feet. 2 to 5 feet of ice,” Dale says. “I hear they have good ice at
Forchette and Devils Creek. The walleye are being caught at varying depths
using minnows.  Not many northern pike being caught,” he reports.

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. My hours are Tuesday to Friday 11 to 7 pm, Saturday
7 to 7 pm and Sunday 7 to noon. “I have heard from fisherman that they did
not have success on Petrolia.  Word is Hell Creek has been good fishing.
Fishing on Cooney has been sketchy people have said. Word is there is good
fishing at Tongue right now people say, Eddie says,” I did some checking
on Castle Rock the gate is up to the parking lot and it is closed for some
work.  You can fish the water though and they are catching fish ,” Eddie
says.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon says, “fishing for perch has been great.  They are plentiful if you
go deep. Trout are plentiful. From the Hole in the Wall to duck Creek they
are definitely catching. They are using worms, maggots, Halis, and goby
jiggers. The Lions Perch Tournament is January 25th and 26th.  Call us for
conditions on the ice at the Silos.  We will give you the latest
information.

West Side Sports Dan 1-406-654-1611
“Nelson has slowed way down. I think because it has been so cold. Tipups
are working well for Northerns using minnows. For perch they are jigging
with a live minnow and that has been a bit better this week,” Dan says.
Forchette was good for northern pike last week but I got less reports
this week because of the miserable cold.  I think it slowed because of
it,” said Dan.

Billings-Scheels Nate
Nate says, “I heard Tongue river is really good for crappie. They are
only catching an occasional walleye and a few more perch. The dry arm
has ice, 12 to 18 inches all over.  Devils Creek is catching some
walleye south of Sand Springs. Guys caught 1 large walleye and a few
northern pike. At Petrolia I heard they got a few walleye and perch and
some small pike.  It seems to be hit and miss.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard
“I hear Canyon Ferry is spotty right now. They are getting some nice ¾
pound to 1 pound.  The guys I talked to all limited out one day and the
next day got nothing in the same spot at the same depth. Seems to change
daily in its action. Below Hauser dam they are catching some ling.  They
got some little 6 pounders .  I also heard that the North end of Canyon
Ferry is open.  Above White Earth and Goose bay people should really check
ice before using 4 wheelers there. At reservoirs where they lowered the
water level people need to watch closely for gas pockets.  The lowered
water produces more of them under the ice.  Safety can be a real concern,”
Rich says.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Shelf ice continues to make it too dangerous right now to fish. There is
just not any place to get on safely. 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
It has been really cold here.  If you do fish dress warm. The wind makes
it much colder. The water is open for the upper 25 miles. Use orange
scrubs, baetes emertions and yellow puppas.  Streamers are working using
black and blue.  Try JJ’s in yellow brown, thin mints, Kenny Schiedner and
dirty red. Really keep an eye o the wind report before coming. Check for
your supplies before coming as worms in the area may be in short supply.
The lake does have walleye and crappie but it has been too cold for any
success.  Black Canyon and Bill Bull Creek have ice. Our shop hours have
changed and we are open 7 am to noon. Call for information.

(Cover photo: youtube.com)

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