Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 4.7.14
By angelamontana

Posted: April 9, 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
Linda reports, “We do have some water opening up off shore. Alligator
point has opened up. You can’t put a boat in yet. You can use set lines
from shore but you need to use steel leaders.  They are biting through 30
pound test. The pike have teeth now.”  Bill wants to people to know,” we
will be officially open May 1st.  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

The ice from around the Marina to the North is completely busted up and is
open water.  The South is still locked up. So I anticipate open water
sometime around the weekend or maybe after. I can’t say for sure as it is
still pretty locked up.  Some walleye and mostly primarily crappie in 30
plus  feet of water.  Others reported little or no success, Jordan
reports.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Clint says,” There is no fishing yet. I would guess it would be 1 week
before you could use a boat. I am guessing maybe next weekend.  We are
open 30 feet from shore.”

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” The weather has been nicer.  We still
have a little ice. Very little wind. The ice is not safe. The river is
open. Guys are still going to Duck Creek and Flat Lake. They are going to
the dredge cut.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Lake Elmo has open water. Not many people out. You can fish from shore.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Not a lot of fishermen here. We have 20 to 30 feet of open water from
the shore. Ice fishing is done. You could do some shore fishing.
Conditions are changing a lot.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
No ice here right now. It has been really windy her. I talked to one
fisherman who caught one sucker. At Deadmans the water is up.
On Martinsdale there is no ice. People are fishing and catching some trout.
On the Upper Musselshell they are fishing and catching browns using lures
and spoons.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194
“At Achley the fishing is a little better than it has been.  The ice is
off. It seems to be fair fishing in the afternoon. They are catching
mostly with bait.

On the Missouri River at PN at Fred Robinson fishing is fair. It is
muddy.  They are catching walleye and a few sauger using bait.  They are
catching a few ling.  On James Kip there is lots of mud, really quite a
bit,” 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 catfish fishing on the Yellowstone is real great. Also a
few ling.  At Waco and Bear Creek bridge I am hearing the fishing is
decent. Haven’t heard of any walleye, sauger or small mouth being caught
yet,” 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
“We are completely open.  Water is really low.  If you go out stay to the
north as you get out of the bay as it is only 2 to 2 ½ ft deep going out.
Off shore they are catching nice rainbows and a few perch. Sharon 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 still has ice as of Tuesday. Not good for any fishing. Ice is bad.
One 7 year old young lady caught a 8 ½ # fish from shore. The north east
end is open.  At Forchette, it is clear close to the ramp but there is ice
breaking loose especially at Herman’s point. You can’t fish it”, 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, “Have of the Tongue is open I have been told.  A few people
have fished the Yellowstone.  At Forsythe a few sauger and walleye are
being caught.  They are catching catfish below Huntley.  I also heard
Cooney has open water about 40 feet out. Everyone is just waiting for
fishing to pick up, “Nate says.

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
“You can catch rainbows from shore. There was big chunks of ice floating
at Canyon Ferry earlier this week but the windy weather may have changed
that. The water is low. I heard people caught some walleye at Lake
Helena. Mostly at the Causeway and Lake Helena’s gates of the mountain on
Holter.    Ennis Lake is doing good for fishing using night crawlers,”
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
“Fishing is getting better. The lower Stillwater is cloudy.  You will find
better conditions above Absarokee. On the Stillwater use standard
nymphing. You might try midges as the water warms up during the day.
Sometimes streamers will work and wooly buggers.  It has been windy.
Hopefully soon you can try dry fly fishing. 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
“It is getting better. It is  good nymph fishing right now. The water is
high 6500 cfs.  The clarity is good.  Soap Creek has mud and it is putting
silt out. Whatever you do “be mindful of high waters”. Dry fly fishing is
not an option right now.  They are catching both rainbows and browns.
Black and cream seem to be doing the best,” Hale 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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