Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 3.10.14
By angelamontana

Posted: March 12, 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
“Fifty degrees today up here. It was slow fishing this last week.  I did
see one 10 pound walleye that was caught. There is lots of water on the
ice.  The ice is looking a bit blacker. I would say it is a bit iffy.
McGuire Creek and South Rock Creek are soppy and some guys had to use
chains to get out on the road.  The snow is almost gone. The Lake water is
definitely up and there is water around the edges,” Bill says. There is
only a minimum of services. Bill is around every day. 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
According to various reports the ice houses are off the ice. The shore
line has water and some who thought they could use board planks to get
to the ice found that not possible. The suggestion is that the ice is no
longer useable. The warden Jordon wants to remind fishermen 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
Hell Creek staff said,” Fishing is good, better than it has been.  They
are catching lots of northern pike and some walleye every day. People are
trying more jigging for walleye and although slower than the pike they
are catching. They are finding the pike at 5 to 25 feet and the walleye
at 25 to 40 feet depths. The largest pike this week was 43 inches and 24
pounds.

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 have 60 degrees today. The fishing is
really, really good right now.  The ice is still really thick here.  Just
remember to really watch for pressure ridges.  Watch the points closely.
There is 3 inches of water on the ice.  A hell of a lot of    northern
pike is being caught.  Some walleye as well.  One walleye was 12 pounds.
Only a   handful of lake trout. Just make sure you watch the ice and think
safety.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Bob says,” Lake Elmo is not good for ice. I think ice fishing is done.
The ice is so soft and the edges are slushy.”

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Fishing is not good.  The ice is changing rapidly.  We have open water
in places.  There is water on the ice. Camp spots are first come first
serve through the winter.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
Word has it there is still ice on Deadmans and Martinsdale as of
Tuesday. Terry says, “We have lots of high water and it is starting to
recede. Broadview pond is not fishable it blew its banks and blew out
the railroad tracks next to it which are now being repaired. I have
heard nothing about Deadman’s and Martinsdale.”

Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194
“Spring Creek is the only place to fish up here.  They are doing well and
are catching rainbow trout and browns using mepps and panther martins.
The ice is in bad shape. Just not safe,” 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
“I talked to some people who headed to Tongue on Sunday and tried to get
on to the ice.  The edges are open and the planks used to get on were so
unstable they just turned around and went home hear Fort Peck is good
fishing.  Castle Rock and Lake Elmo have open water.  The river is
extremely high,” 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, “Fishing is good.  The ice is decent.  Make sure you stop to
find out where the soft spots are. We do have some run off problems in the
neighborhood which are affecting areas on Canyon Ferry. We don’t have open
water today (Tuesday). I would not suggest anyone go to the Hole in the
Wall area and White Earth is definitely iffy.”  Don’t forget March 1st you
need a new fishing license. 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
“Fishing was good this weekend.  At Nelson the ice is still good.
Forchette they were catching northerns and a few walleye but it was slow.
Beware of ice conditions as they are constantly changing as the
temperature is warming.  We had 63 degrees today,” 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, “Only thing I heard this week is that Tongue has open water
around the edges, “Nate says.

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

“I went to Canyon Ferry yesterday. The rainbow trout fishing was terrific
and perch was so so.  If you find the perch then you can have a good day.
You will need to watch your step at some places. The edges can be soft,”
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
“We are watching for flooding.  So far it is okay.  The water is extremely
high. There is a lot of junk, trees and debris. The water is high, muddy
and swift.  It is blown up and not fishable.  There might be some fishing
closer to and above Nye. Everything is dangerous again I am afraid. Some
fishermen like to fish muddy water.  Use big streamers and stay on the
bank. Just really be careful,” Bill 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
“No flooding here.  The Soap and Rotten Grass are running high which will
bring silt down. The Soap has clarity issues. Today the CPS is 4,000 and
tomorrow they will put it at 4500. Usually that comes in May but our snow
pact is at 140%. Fishing has been good. The rest of the water is clear.
Use sow bugs and midge pupas. Use the midges on windless days,” Hale said.
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 the cold slowed success.  Our shop hours have
changed and we are open 7 am to noon. Call for information.

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