EASTERN MONTANA FISHING REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF 2/10/14
By angelamontana

Posted: February 13, 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 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
“Fishing was awesome this week. Today (Tuesday) the weather is warm and
the sun is out. The ice is over 3 feet. The fishermen caught lots of
walleye, s few Northerns, one 30 inch ling and some small mouth.  They
were using minnows going 7 to 20 feet down. You still always need caution
on the ice,” Bill said. There is only a minimum of services but Bill is
there pretty much daily. 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/BCNU
Bob Pederson, says” Fishing has really slowed down which is the usual at
this time of year. The weather has shut things down. This past week we got
6 to 8 inches and yesterday we got a major wind storm. You have to hunt
and locate the and then  they are catching crappie and perch using
minnows. They were in one area but now they have moved pretty much
everywhere. Jordon has said, ”People have caught some 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. Pay attention to the rules.”  The marina is closed for the winter
season.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“We have beautiful ice.  The guys caught large walleye some 12 and 16
pounds.  They are catching them at night and early morning. With the cold
we had this week it has put on good ice. We have 16 to 20 inches of ice
in the bay and 16 inches out on the main lake. We are seeing more
pressure ridges s make sure you stop at the shop for that information.
Some guys are bringing their polar poles and wearing them around their
neck for safety.  They look like a phone cord with like ice pick ends.
We just want everyone to be safe and have fun,” 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,” Fishing has definitely picked up. They
are fishing in the Bear Creek , Flat Creek and Duck Creek I have heard.
They caught big fish like the 14 pound walleye at night and 20 pound lake
trout during the day. They are catching huge 22 pound northern pike.  It
is starting to peak for walleye. The ice is 20 inches deep and their using
minnows with tipups.  No matter what you do be careful. Just call for ice
information before coming as it changes often.”

Lake Elmo Billings
“There is lots of ice since this last spell of cold. Of course, there is
now snow on the ice from the last storm.  Guys are still fishing but not
catching much.  It has been pretty slow,” Bob explains.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Still hearing fishing is slow. On late Monday and Tuesday a strong wind
was drifting snow on the roads. Bring supplies for getting yourself out
if something happens. The ice has one foot of snow on it since the storm
this week. A few 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.
Camp spots are first come first serve through the winter.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin
Deadmans
Weather was pretty cold this week. Cold weather made not many fishing.
What fishing I heard about it was pretty slow.

Martinsdale
Martinsdale has good ice but few fishermen. The cold kept people away.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “Trout fishing has been good. Achley has seen some nice rainbow
trout. The ice is 18 to 20 feet. Forchette and Devils Creek Bay by Fort
Peck is hot for fishing. The northern pike has been exceptional during the
day. Live minnows are working but the depths really vary from hour to
hour.   Catch the walleye before light and the bite is good.  It is steady
fishing.”, 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
“Castle Rock was fishing real good and the ice is 2 inches.  They are
catching northern pike. People are having less luck on Cooney.  Word is
Tongue is good,” 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, “ We have 4 inches of snow on the ice.  It has been decent
fishing this week with the last day picking up. They are fishing deep at
50 feet. The ice is 24 inches deep.” Some catching a few medium size
perch. Try crawlers, maggots, wooly buggers, and girdle bugs. In the past
weeks they saw lots of hali for perch being bought.  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, Malta 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 has had fair fishing this week. Ice is good, 26 to 30 inches
thick. One group of guy got into some crappies.  They were using jigging
with a spoon and a minnow. On Forchette they are catching walleye now.
They are still getting northern pike.  We are supposed to have nice
weather so I am sure people will be out,” reports Jim.

Billings-Scheels Nate
Nate says, “Crappie and perch are being caught on Tongue. They are
heading out to Rattlesnake and are using jigs. Also heard they were
catching fish at Lake Josephine this week.
At Bear Reservoir at White Sulfur lots of rainbow trout being caught.
Lots of pike being caught at Hell Creek. The walleye are being caught at
night. At Rock Creek out on the Dry Arm has good ice and some nice pike.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
Around here we have wind and are pushing 50 degrees today.Fort peck
people are saying is good fishing.  Just be safe. Harrison Lake has been
good on trout. People are catching.

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
“We got a total of 11 inches in Columbus Saturday and Sunday.  So it just
is a no show for fishing right now. 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
“Our temperatures have been 45 degrees and snow is melting. We have had 30
mph winds today (Tuesday). When you bring your boat make sure you bring
rope because the only place there is a problem is on the boat ramps. They
are really slick and you will probably need the rope to help pull the boat
up.    We have no ice.  I went past Hardin and there was none there. Try
nymphing with mitch larve. Just come and enjoy,” Curt says.
Check for your supplies before coming as worms as some days they are in
short supply.  The lake does have walleye and crappie.  Black Canyon and
Bill Bull Creek have ice. Our shop hours have changed and we are open 7 am
to noon. Call for information.

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

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