EASTERN MONTANA FISHING REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF 2/17/14
By angelamontana

Posted: February 19, 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 are catching a ton of fish. They are catching fish everywhere.
Tuesday is our first day of wind about 50 mph this whole week.  The front
bay has a solid 3 feet of ice. You still need caution on the ice. I saw
better bigger lake trout, a 9 pound walleye and a 18 pound northern.  Just
more big fish overall caught,” 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” Fishing has been good after dark. The
midday is slow. It is decent fishing at sunrise, sunset and after dark.
They are using wax worms and minnows. Remember ice conditions can be
unpredictable. I am seeing 4 wheelers and vehicles on the ice. Just
watch conditions.” A reminder check the regulations before bringing
minnows in. Also remember the sauger limit is only one.  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 good fishing. The ice is 20 to 25 inches at the bay and
in the main water. You can find broken ice at the points so use caution.
There is a pressure point going by Peterson point. Fishermen are catching
decent Northern pike and walleye at the main part going 14 to 15 feet.
In the bay northerns have been seen 15 to 16 pounds at a depth of 10 to
16 feet.

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,” It sounds real good. One fisherman I
spoke to got all he wanted of fish everyday he was here.  Walleye from 2 ½
to 12 pounds. They are fishing at Flat lake, Duck Creek, and Bear Creek.
They are biting like crazy. The river is open they are using a boat by Boy
Scout park.  The vertical jig is working for walleye and sauger.  Some
rainbows and browns are being caught. You can fish from boat tail of the
dam to the milk river. No matter what you do be careful. Just call for ice
information before coming as it changes often.”

Lake Elmo Billings
The ice is good. Some people are fishing right now and caching a few
fish. Enjoy the fishing close to home.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
“It is pretty dang slow fishing. They did the ling study last week and in
3 nights got 15 ling.  We are seeing very few fishermen.  We have a
couple of inches of snow on the ice.  The roads are clear. Come and try
our 30 by 60 skating rink set up at Marshall Cove,” Jenny says.
Camp spots are first come first serve through the winter.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin
Deadmans
“Not much catching going on. A few rainbow trout  and brown being caught.
I heard someone hooked a nice bown trout. The edges are soft but the ice
is still good.  You can walk in.

Martinsdale
Martinsdale has good ice. Fishing is okay it has not picked up. You can
use a 4 wheeler on the ice,” Justin says.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194
“We have had wind. They are heading to the big Dry Arm to fish.  There is
a strong bite and they are catching northerns, walleye and some perch.
Forcette bay has a pretty solid bite.  Use caution and watch for run off
and check that ice ”, 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
“At Tongue River crappie and perch are being caught I am hearing. Fort
Peck is phenomenal at Hell Creek. I am hearing of 15 pound walleye being
caught.  Castle Rock now has open water. At Cooney I hear it is not very
good.  Not much catching happening,” 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 windy some days. They are catching medium size
perch, a few walleye and nice trout. On a scale of 10 fishing is a 7. Some
ling being caught north, not a lot, 13 to 15 inch. Ice is holding at 20
inches and 24 in the center.  You can always call us for conditions on the
ice at the Silos.  We will give you the latest information. Don’t forget
to sign up for the walleye tournament. You can do it on line.  It is June
28 to 29 and you must be an active and current member of Walleyes
Unlimited.”

West Side Sports Jim 1-406-654-1611
“Fishing has slowed up. The ice is good. We have minnows here. Some
fishermen are catching 28 inch walleye in 32 feet of water. They weren’t
catching the numbers. The Northern pike are still biting,” reports Jim.

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.

Billings-Scheels Nate
Nate says, “The Yellowstone is not clear. There are ice chunks out
there. I’m hearing the Tongue is still fishing good for crappie and
perch.

At Hell Creek I am getting reports of nice walleye and pike being caught
and it is still real good. Cooney they are catching a few ling at night
but it is slow. “Nate says.

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
At Canyon Ferry they are catching perch. Harrison Reservoir has good ice.
Fishing is pretty good. They are catching nice ones at Dailey.  On the
Madison and Jefferson shelf ice is making it hard to get to fish.  They
are using nymphs and beadheads.

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
Some of the ice is breaking up. So both rivers have ice jamming up. The
Stillwater I noticed is off color. 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
“If they are fishing they are mostly nymph fishing using sow bugs and
midge pupas.  There is some streamer action.  There are very few rising
fish out there on windless days.  Everything is open and some days there
is not a lot of pressure from fishermen.  The temperature was 39 degrees
and there is no rhyme or reason  or true pattern that is consistently
working right now,” Hale 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 Bill Bull Creek have ice. Our shop
hours have changed and we are open 7 am to noon. Call for information.

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