Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 12.30.13
By angelamontana

Posted: January 1, 2014

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.
Happy New Year  to all from the Outdoor Radio Crew!

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“I haven’t seen any fishermen this week.  Last week 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 one foot,”
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
Fishing has been really good.  Crappie fishing has been excellent.   A
few perch, walleye and some northern pike are being caught. Four
wheelers can be used. Wax worms and gulp are working. There has been
close to 10 foot of ice close in and the north end has less.  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.  The marina is closed for the
winter season.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“It was been 10 below here the last couple of days. We have about 6
inches snow on the ice. We have 8 to 10 inches of ice by the marina.
There are 3 to 5 inches at the mouth and only 3 to 5 inches at the lake.
They do not recommend heading out toward the main lake it is not safe,”
Lane reports.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” The wind has kept the middle open. There
is ice in the bay but only 4 to 6 inches thick. You can fish in the dredge
cuts. They are doing some spearing there as well as using tip ups with
minnows.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Fishermen have been coming out.  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. “The fishing on Cooney is slow I hear. There is some
good fishing at Tongue right now.  On Nelson I hear they are catching
mostly walleye not many pike.Eddie says,” I did some checking on Castle
Rock and has the gate up to the parking lot and it is closed for some
work.  You can fish the water though and they are catching a few ,” Eddie
says.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
The ice is 7 to 9 inches toward shore.  Out further the ice is 12 to 14
inches. From the Hole in the Wall to duck Creek they are catching at 38 to
50 feet.  They are using maggets, wooley buggers, night crawlers and mealy
worms. 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 12 to 14 inches of ice. Spearing has slowed way down. Tipups
are working well using minnows. We have had really cold weather which
makes being out there tough.
Forchette is definitely lively with northern pike right now.  Minnows
seem to be working.  We have them for sale here,” said Dan.

Billings-Scheels Nate
Matt says, “They are catchng quite a few crappies.  Not many pike or
walleye. I hear they are catching pike at Fort Peck and at Forchette as
well. Not much word on Cooney, seems to be slow. Surprisingly some guys
have been able to take a boat down the lower part of the Big Horn for
duck and goose. I hear they are catching trout at Bear Creek,
Martinsdale and Achley as well.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard
“I hear Canyon Ferry is slow right now. Seems to change  daily in its
action. Harrison Lake is fishing well I was told.  They are catching
rainbows, browns and brook trout. Guys are using worms, maggets and ice
jigs,” Rich says.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Shelf ice is making 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
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: fishingbuddy.com)

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