Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 5.5.14
By angelamontana

Posted: May 7, 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 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 officially open for the season. Fishing was good this
week. We saw a fair number of fishermen.  There were lots of small walleye
caught with a few post spawn walleye at 10 pounds.  Someone caught a 44 ½
pound pike the other day.  It was 65 degrees this week with no wind.
The water temperature is anywhere from 40 to 51 degrees depending on the
wind. They are fishing at Haxbey point and getting lake trout 20 feet
deep.”

Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley
The weather report says rain with possible snow so not a lot of people
out. Fishing results have been hit or miss. It has been slow or steady.
They seem to be catching pretty much everything reports Jordon. 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

Donna says,” It has been super fishing this week. A far number of northern
pikes being caught. They are catching a few walleye as they are just
coming down from the west end. They are still catching some nice size
bass. You can catch lake trout from Crooked Creek to Bell point towards
Haxbee right now. It still is cold. I shore fished with a night crawler
and a bobber and caught a 20 pound northern.”

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says”, They are saying we have a storm coming
in.  I talked to FWP and they are pulling the traps on the dry arm as
things have slowed down.  The got 62 million walleye eggs. They are
catching some around Nelson. A group o fisherman were on the dry arm all
day today and they got smallmouth and northern pike.  Some pretty good
size ones but no walleyes. ”

Lake Elmo Billings
People are trying their luck at Lake Elmo. Not much success.
So there is more pressure on the shore. The wind and weather has slowed
the success.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
The fishing has slowed up just a little fishermen are reporting. Walleye
fishing had definitely improved. Walleye and trout mainly are being caught
from boats. Shore fishermen are catching a trout.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“It has been raining here so not many people going out.  The paddlefish
limit was reached this weekend but you can still fish catch & release.
Some guys came in who have caught nice fish at Fort Peck. Cats are being
caught with set lines.   That is all we have heard,” she said.  We now
have night crawlers for sale.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194
“Achley is fishing steady for rainbow trout. Paddlefish has tagged out.
The catfish fishing is good and you can still do catch & release. They are
using night crawlers and dead minnows. Lake fishing is great. Fishing from
shore at Devils Creek is great. The river is fishing better,” 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
“The Yellowstone has been slow again.  On the Yellowstone they are
Catching some fish, some catfish and browns. Heard some ling are being
caught. The smallmouth are slow but just starting,” Eddie says.

Eddie White is the new owner of the Minnow Bucket.  Please note the new
phone number to call. The hours are to Friday 11 to 7 pm, Saturday
7 to 7 pm and Sunday 7 to noon.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

“People are catching some nice trout off shore right now, Sharon tells
us,” You can’t get in because it is so low with a boat.
If you come stop at the Silos to hear what is going on, not necessarily to
by to know what is happening. They are saying that they will be letting
water in this week. The state Walleyes Unlimited is on Saturday in Helna.”

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611

“Nelson Reservoir is fairly decent. They are jigging shallow. It has
been 50 degrees and no wind. I got a 62 pound paddlefish this past weekend
before it was shut down”, Jim reports.

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
Josh says, “I heard Cooney is pretty slow. I went to Tongue with 4 guys
and we caught 110 fish. We caught pretty much everything on minnows.
Some crappie and walleye.  That was Friday.  We were vertical jigging.
Someone said they are catching cats and ling by Waco.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
“At Canyon Ferry the water is really low. Can’t really take a boat out I
don’t think. They are still letting more water ou. Haven’t heard anything
other than that,” 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 Yellowstone is blown out. The Stillwater is okay. It remains to be
seen what happens. The flows have climbed up. Still as of today it is
pretty much the same as it was on the Stillwater.  You are just going to
take it day by day,” 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 weather has been rain for the last two days. We even had some snow.
Fishing is good as of now. Not as much wind.  Visibility is down at Soap
creek because of rain runoff. There is a little bit of dry fly fishing.

But it is really slow. Mostly nymphing. There was a few baetes. Try a Ray
Charles,” 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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