EASTERN MONTANA FISHING REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF 2/24/14
By angelamontana

Posted: February 26, 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
“Lots of catching going on. Guys are catching lots of northern pike,
walleye everywhere. One walleye caught was 6 pounds.  The ice is a solid 3
feet thick. As always you still need to use caution on the ice. The roads
are okay and there is no problem getting in and out as of today,” Bill
says. There is only a minimum of services but Bill is around most days. 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
Bob says” Night fishing has been going well. With the storms we have 6
It to 8 inches of snow on the ice. A few crappie  being caught here or
there. The highway as of Tuesday am had some drifting and was snow
packed and slippery.” Before the weather fishing was decent at sunrise,
sunset and after dark.  The game warden sends a reminder to check the
regulations before bringing minnows in. 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
A staff member said,” Some fishermen are doing good. It seems that if you
are an experienced fisherman the average catch is 10 fish.  The
inexperienced fishermen come in with an average of three in a day. The
ice is almost free of snow.  We have one to one and a half inches. You
can find broken ice at the points so use caution. The pressure points are
about the same. They are catching walleyes jigging at night with shiner
minnows.”   There is a pressure point going by Peterson point. 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 been pretty good. Not a lot
of people out really cold. It is bright and sunny but so cold, like below
zero. Tip ups are freezing solid in the ice.  Some northern pike, walleye
and only a few lake trout being caught. No matter what you do be careful.
Just call for ice information before coming as it changes often.”

Lake Elmo Billings
The ice is seeing ice shacks out on the ice.  Ice is good. Some people
are trying their luck early in the day and packing up afternoon. No one
is sharing their catches so they do not know if they were successful but
they are consistently trying.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Fishing has been slow according to various reports. We are seeing very
few fishermen. As of Tuesday it was reported by Jenny that Cooney had
one foot of snow on the ice. “The wind was picking up and the drifting
was definitely affecting the roads coming in,” Jenny says.   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
Deadmans/ Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“Did have good ice before the storm. One group went out early in the week
and had some luck but since the storm haven’t heard of anyone going out,”
Terry said.  We have more than a foot of snow here.  The week before the
fishing was just okay and had not picked up at Martinsdale. You can use a
4 wheeler on the ice a source said.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194
“Fort Peck is fishing well we are hearing. Forchette is steady fishing for
northern pike and walleye. They are being caught in the early am and late
at night. Nelson took off over the weekend. Mostly with northern pike.
The walleye fishing has gotten better.  They are getting them deep, 30
feet deep.  The Dry Arm has taken off.  They are going out by Rock Creek
Marina.  A few lake trout being caught along with northern pike and
walleye”, 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 is still being doing well. Heard and saw a picture of a 10
pound walleye. Cooney people are saying is pretty dead as far as fishing.
Still hearing Castle Rock had open water as of the weekend,” 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 had weird weather like a lot of other places this
week.  We have snow and definitely drifting snow. Before the weather they
were catching medium size perch, a few walleye and nice trout. Some ling
were being caught north, not big ones. 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 is good. The ice is good. People are going shallow to catch fish.
Like, 4 feet to 8 feet deep.  They are finding northern pike and walleye.
The perch have turned on. They are a bit deeper. We have minnows here.  At
Forchette I talked to someone with a very, very large walleye being
caught. So fishing is good there they say,” 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, “Not hearing much about fishing this week. The weather has
made getting places difficult. Did hear the Tongue was fishing  good
for crappie and perch before the storm. Spoke to one fellow who went
ling fishing at Cooney with no results.
Hell Creek is still busy with guys catching walleye and pike, “Nate says.

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
“They are really catching nice fish at Fort Peck. Canyon Ferry I hear is
ok fishing right now if you brave the cold. They are catching some perch
these days. I heard they are catching some nice fish at Clark Canyon
Dam,” Rich says.

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
“There were a few fishermen trying to fish this past week up by Absarokee.
They were nymphing. You could try using maybe a stonefly or Copper John
if you do go out. Since the weather hit we have lots of snow.  At my house
I have 13 inches as of this morning and it is snowing right now.
Everything is clogged up and dangerous again I am afraid,” Chris said. 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
“Not many fishermen were out this week. It has been pretty cold. We have
one foot of snow.  It is ice free. If they are fishing they are mostly
nymph fishing using sow bugs and midge pupas.  Call if you need specific
information. 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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