Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 4.21.14
By angelamontana

Posted: April 23, 2014

Report compiled by Carol Henckel

Please be advised weather is changing constantly and some days wind and even snow can still be a factor. High water conditions are dangerous as Spring weather is unpredictable. 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, be prepared and stay safe. This report is compiled on Monday and Tuesday and reflects conditions and results of fishing from the past week. If you wish other information feel free to contact most parties for current daily information.

Good luck fishing from the Montana Outdoor Radio Crew.

 Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560

Bill says, “We are working on putting the docks in as we open for the
season May 1st. Fishing is still good from the banks.  You can catch
northerns and walleye from there using a minnow. The water temperature
depending on where you are at is 40 to 47 degrees.  The wind is blowing 90
miles an hour today. Make your reservations now. One month is already
booked solid. 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 Jordan Straley

Greg says   ”Fishermen are catching some bass, small mouth, crappies and
walleye.  A little of everything. They are jigging with minnows and some
crankbaits.  The water temp has been cool but is warming and the water is
also rising.”
The Marina is now open with hours of 8 am to 6 pm.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Clint says,” You can catch lake trout from Crooked Creek to Bell point
towards Hacksbee. The Northern pike are in the shallows getting ready for
staging for spawning. The water depth has not changed much yet.  Walleye
are hit and miss right now. The tough guy tournament was just like it is
called.  It always is tough.  We had a good turnout.  It was won with 14.3
pounds for 5 fish.  The biggest one is 5.5 or 6 pounds.  It is just that
the water is just too cold to catch walleye.  The water temp has to warm
up.”

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says” ,Some guys are catching a few lake trout
now and then.  The ice is gone all over. It is looking great.  The guys
are reporting catching a few walleye and northern pike. They are catching
a few lake trout at the dam. It definitely is a little slow.  I think by
Memorial Day the lake trout will turn on.  We had 70 degrees yesterday.
It’s gonna get better, better, better.”

Lake Elmo Billings
The Osprey are  sure doing well fishing.  The hatchery guys put  some
brood stock in so you may catch some 20 inch size cuts.  There have been
some boats out and I see they are catching a few fish. The shore fishermen
are also out.  It has been quiet with no wind.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
“The ice is off. The docks are in,” Jenny says. Malerie tells us”,
Fishing is picking up. The fishermen trying their hand are catching
walleye and trout mainly in boats. Shore fishermen are catching a few
perch. The roads are god.”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
We haven’t heard any reports from Deadmans. We now have night crawlers so
we should hear more of the fishing news. I have heard of a few trout being
caught at Martinsdale.  Melstone is fishing nice for catfish, Ken said.”

Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194

“Fort Peck lake is fair fishing for walleye and northern pike in 16 to 19
foot of water. At Achley they are doing well off shore. Try off the bottom
or a bobber for rainbow trout. Spring Creek is up.  Above the East Fork
you can use some drys. Nymphs are working on the lower section because it
is off color. The Missouri River from the PN to the lake the fishing is
fair fishing for walleye and sauger. They are using minnows.  The catfish
need the water to warm up,” 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 am hearing they are catching ling, small mouth, catfish and  trout
fishing from Huntley to Custer on the Yellowstone. I was surprised to
hear about the small mouth as it is still pretty muddy. My family went
fishing at Bear and caught rainbow trout on corn and worms.  We went to
Sutherland and caught a nice size sucker,” 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

“Water is low, real low, Sharon tells us. I would suggest you call before
coming and make sure you stop in to hear about water levels when you get
here.  Right here right now the water is 1 foot deep.  Youcan put very
small boats in.  The only other place to put in is at Yacht Basin which is
north of us. Shore fishing is good. Some people have caught trout some
walleye and a few ling.    If you go out talk to us first because of low
water.”  Sharon again said”, Call us for conditions of water depths at the
Silos.  We will give you the latest word.”
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611

“Nelson is wide open.  They are catching a few. On the milk they are doing
good catching walleye. Forchette I hear is slow.  They are catching a few
small mouth using jigs in the shallows probably because of spawning. It
has been windy ”, 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/Josh
Lucky says, “ The Yellowstone and Missouri is extremely poor  Only
thing good is catfish in places.
It is high and dirty.  The Missouri is at 12,500 CFS. I predict paddlefish
may become good. I headed to Castle Rock and it was really slow.
Okka Bay at Yellowtail is very good for bass and walleye.  Someone caught
a bass 4 oz. off state record.
At Holter walleye are good. A 18.86 walleye was caught.
The reservoir water is up and down and then up again and won’t be good
until it stabilizes.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

“Rivers are muddy and definitely up. At Canyon Ferry I know a couple of
guys have caught trout from shore. By the Silos it is really low. Just
have to be real careful or you will ruin your prop or trailer.  They are
still letting more water out,” 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
“The fishing is okay but the water is pretty cold. The Stillwater is still
off color. The Yellowstone is a little off color. It is less clear below
Absarokee. Dry fly fishing is minimal to nonexistent.  You will see
occasional midges. The water is very cold.  I think the Mother’s Day
caddis may be really slow or we may skip it all together I am afraid.  Use
standard nymphing. Try marsh brown midges. Only a few reports of success.
There is not much on the surface.  Try a hairs ear or Princeton. We are in
a race to see what happens first whether the river will change first or
the caddis will happen first. I suspect we may not have our classic caddis
time.  The rivers are open to fish and floating at this point,” Chris
said. We now are in Spring hours during the week in the shop and are
Tuesday to Sun. from 9 am to 5 pm. We are closed Monday.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rich
“The water is up to CFS 7500.  The inflow is 5,000. They are trying to
prepare for the snow pack melt. The water is cold and very fast. Dry fly
fishing is really slow. Until the water heats up it is not going to
improve. Fishing with nymphs is working.  Use gray Ray Charles, pinky sow
bugs and fire beads. Try a hot midge, blond midge or zebra midge as well.
If you try the surface try a sipper.  The only place that might bring
success is close to the bank in the slower water.  Out further the speed
and temperature will stop any success,” Sam said. Call if you need
specific information. Our shop hours have changed and we are open 7 am to
5 pm. Monday to Sunday. Call for information.

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