Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 2.3.14
By angelamontana

Posted: February 5, 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 or using 4 wheelers on.

Enjoy yourself but remember alcohol alters your judgment so use it sparingly while enjoying the outdoors.  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
“Fishermen who braved the cold this week did well. One group of fishermen
caught 6 walleye and 18 Northern. The front bay they found had a solid 3
feet of ice. It is definitely building ice. You still need caution on the
ice. The road in is okay right now,” Bill says. There is only a minimum of
services but Bill will be around now. We do have gas. 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
Jordon, Tongue River warden, says” Not as many fishermen this week.  The
cold and Super bowl game kept people away. Some people were catching
crappie and perch using wax worms and minnows. People have caught
walleye and sauger in the last weeks. Remember the sauger limit is only
one. Check the regulations before bringing minnows in.  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
“Fishing has been really good. It has been really cold and the ice is
real good at the marina. Fishermen have caught lots of Northern pike.
The walleye started running last night. A few ling and lake trout are
being caught. We have good ice in the bay and fair ice in the main lake
now,” Donna says.

Clint is still reminding people, “if you are reserving campgrounds for
summer there are plenty of first come first serve camp sites available.
The only sites filled are the 30 electrical sites you have to reserve.
There are plenty of the other ones available you will just have to use
your own generator.”

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” We had 12 below last night. We have ice
now in a lot more places.  You now can fish at Flat lake, Duck Creek,
Skunk Creek and Double Hump.  They are catching more northern pikes.  It
is starting to peak for walleye. You can fish in the dredge cuts still. No
matter what you do be careful. Just call for ice information before coming
as it changes often.”

Lake Elmo Billings
The cold has made ice. Some fishing right now. Pretty cold to go try though.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Still hearing fishing is not great. Not as many people out there because
of the cold and Super Bowl. Some rainbow trout caught. Fisherman has 20
inches of ice and so does Red Lodge. There is a 30 by 60 skating rink set
up at Marshall Cove for fun.

Camp spots are first come first serve through the winter.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin
Deadmans
“Weather was pretty cold this week. Between the Super bowl and cold
weather not many fishing.  What fishing I heard about it was pretty slow.

Martinsdale
Martinsdale has good ice but few fishermen. Did not check any.  Probably
because of the game and the cold,” Justin says.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194
“Fish were spotty this week. That’s the only good news. Devils Creek and
Forchette Bay was good for northern pike.  You can throw a minnow in
anywhere. The cold seems to make fishing spotty though there too”, 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
“Tongue River I heard had slowed.  Not a lot of news because of the cold
and the game. I heard Castle Rock was fishing good.  They are catching
northern pike.  The Yellowstone has more ice and it is just not safe
because there are more ice jams,” Eddie says.

Eddie White is the new owner of the Minnow Bucket.  Please note the new
phone number to call. The hours are Tuesday to Friday 11 to 7 pm, Saturday
7 to 7 pm and Sunday 7 to noon.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon says, “It has been too cold.  We haven’t seen many people fishing.
The ice is definitely growing.  Before the cold they were catching medium
size perch, not many walleye and lots of trout. They were using crawlers,
maggots, wooly buggers, and girdle bugs. Using lots of hali for perch.
Also using glow jigs and fish eyes for others. You can always call us for
conditions on the ice at the Silos.  We will give you the latest
information.”

West Side Sports Jim 1-406-654-1611
West Side Sports has a new owner.  Jim Mayer, the new owner, says, “my
hours on the shop will be 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and we will be closed
on Sunday. “Stop in any time,” Jim says.

“On Nelson they are still catching this week. Fishing has been fair to
good. The ice is definitely good. Forchette is not hot and heavy just
good. The cold and the Super Bowl slowed people down.  Not as many fishing
to get a good read,” reports Jim.

Billings-Scheels Nate
Nate says, “Hearing Tongue is doing good for crappie and perch. A few
nice ones. Rattlesnake is where they are going and using jigs.
At Bear Reservoir at White Sulfur some guys are catching lots of rainbow
trout at Hell Creek I am getting reports of lots of pike being caught and now I
hear some nice big walleye are being caught as well. At Rock Creek out on
the Dry Arm they are finding good ice and some nice pike. Just be safe and
watch ice conditions, “Nate says.

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
Canyon Ferry is still slow fishing. I am hearing it is hit and miss.
The Madison headwaters are fairly good. There is shelf ice to watch for.
There is 1 to 2 feet hard access.

Shop hours are Sunday 12 to 4 pm.  Closed Monday.  Tuesday to Saturday 7
am to 6 pm.  You can always call ahead if you are coming through and need
something on off hours and we may be able to help.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
The ice slushed  up earlier so again shelf ice continues to make it
something to watch.  It was way too cold so nobody was out. Nymphing would
be what you should use maybe a stonefly or Copper John if you do go out.
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 was way too cold to go out this week.  We had 15 below. There were a
couple of brave souls that went out. Don’t know how they did.  If I were
you I would stay home until it warms up,” Curt says.

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 much success.  Black Canyon and  Bull Creek have ice. Our shop hours
have changed and we are open 7 am to noon. Call for information.

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