Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 6.16.14
By angelamontana

Posted: June 18, 2014

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

Please be advised weather is changing constantly and some days wind can be a factor. High water conditions are dangerous as Spring weather is unpredictable and the run off is treacherous.   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 onday 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, “The Wade Sukut tournament had a first prize fish of 32 ½
inches. The water today is a bit muddy because of the recent rain.  Water
temperature is 61 degrees.  Walleye are in water from 5 to 25 feet.   The
smallmouth seem to be everywhere.  Northern Pike are still biting pretty
good. People are using leeches and minnows. Blue jigs with worm harnesses
are successful. Use fire tigers.”

Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley

Staff reports, “Fishing has been really good. Walleyes are definitely
being caught.  The crappie are moving to the shallows.  Walleye seem to
be at the 15 to 20 feet. The walleye fishermen are jigging with a leach
and night crawlers. For crappie use a 1/32 oz. jig tube body.  A lot of
nice fish   usually 4 to 6 pounds.  For walleye hit them hard in the
evening.  The crappie seem to be hitting early morning and then in the
evening. They seem to like black and silver or black and green.” Marina
hours are 8 am to 6 pm.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir

The staff says,” We have had storms that have slowed fishing down. Walleye
are being caught vertical jigging or pitching toward shore.  Any color
seems to be working.  Some are trying a worm harness with a   bottom
bouncer.  Use the same technique for bass as they are hitting the same. If
you look for walleye you will also find bass right now. They like blue and
purple jigs right now. Northern Pike are at weedy rock piles. Smallmouth
are hitting on crank baits.  Walleye seem to be at Timber creek and 2
miles west of Snow Creek.  They are also at Peterson Point right by Hell
Creek marina.  The water is 66 to 68 degrees.”  Last week staff said it
was tiger striped green black and with a yellow belly were working well.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says”Lots of bad weather this week. Just now we
had 2 to 3 inches hard rain.  Really high winds with lightening with this
storm.  We have had storms every day.  If you can get out there the
fishing is really good.  I figure the 4th of July is the when we will have
really good fishing.  Walleye are biting off and on of course because of
weather.  If you could stand it out there you can catch them.  Water temp
has been 55 to 65 degrees.”  Last week Gene reported lake trout were being
caught on a hot lips deep diver. Guys are having luck with pocket frogs.
Reverse fire tiger are working.

Lake Elmo Billings
“People are out between the rain showers. We have had a lot of rain this
week.  They are catching a little of everything, rainbow trout, cutthroat
trout and some guys are getting a few nice size carp in the weedy grass.”
Bob said.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
The fishing is about the same. Malerie says,” Walleye fishing was
improving   weather has changed it daily.  Actually use leeches at 2 am
and you will catch walleye it seems.  Trout have slowed. Walleye and
trout mainly are being caught from boats.”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
Last week Deadmans and Martinsdale were fishing well with worms. Two Dot,
Bear Lake and Southerland were fishing well. Staff reports. The poor
weather has slowed down fishing.  Not many going out.  Weather has cooled
down so trout have not been real active.”

Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194

“Lots of rain so fishing has slowed down.  On Spring Creek drys and wets
are working real well.  The water is not gin clear. It still is fishing
well.  Achley is good boat or shore fishing. Either deep or shallow
trolling is working. Good from shore right now. Missouri River is getting
better for cats.  The water is still murky.  Fort Peck, Forchette and Duck
Creek for walleye are exceptional using worms and leeches.  Crank baits
are working.  Lindy’s and bottom bouncers are doing real well, “said Dale.
Last week anything blue or silver or red green in a spinner from the bank
trolling was getting action.

Crooked Creek-Grant
You can launch a boat here now.  Guys are catching walleye going East. 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
“Cat fish fishing has been good.  The river has dropped some. Try using
minnows and cut bait. Guys are going from Huntley to Hysham. Heard of 1
to 5 pound catfish.  No one has told me they caught any walleye or bass
on the Yellowstone. Poor weather this week slowed things,” 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

“People are catching lots of walleye. Fishing is good all over.  A 5 year
old caught an 11 pound walleye on a floating jig head.  The jig used was
white and glowed in the dark.  We have had rainy days this week. Water
levels are good.  Walleye and trout are being caught. The water clarity
is okay.  You do have to watch for debris like rail road ties and trees
as the Missouri is sending stuff down.

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

“On Sunday o Nelson people were getting their limit of walleye.  They
caught like 40 fish. The size was a lot of little.  If you go 30 to 35
feet you will get less fish but bigger size fish. At Forchette has
improved and you can get nice size walleye using worm harnesses.  At Fort
Peck   northern pike is unreal all around.  You can catch numerous fish
all around on everything.  Shallow is working well,” 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, “Hell Creek is fishing well.  People are using red tiger
flicker shads and pink Kits tackle jigs.
At Tongue bass is doing well. Try using lunker hunt frogs the pocket
frogs.
On Cooney I heard trout are doing well.  Try power bait.
People at Petrolia are trying for some walleye. Catching a few.
At Canyon Ferry the water is somewhat murky.
White Earth fishermen    are getting a decent amount of walleye
trolling flicker shad using fire tigers and worm harness.
The Stillwater is really fast.  The Yellowstone is not fishable right
now. ”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Walleye and rainbow trout fishing at Canyon Ferry is real good I hear.
Watch water levels as when they are going up and you will see more
debris.

Rivers have come down.  All of them are down. The Jefferson and Madison
are clearing. West Gallatin is more muddy,” Rich said.

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
Staff reports, “The Stillwater is biting. Some fishing around Absarokee.
Water is up and swift.  You can’t go in.  You can fish from the bank.
Go 3 feet from the bank using a weight on the line as that will keep it
down to catch the brown trout.  There is a little action using nymphs.
Try the San Quan worm with streamers.  We are not seeing any hatches.
The Yellowstone is still blown out and pretty dark and fast. Don’t fish
it right now. Just too dangerous.”  We now are in Summer hours in the
shop and are open Tuesday to Sun. from 9 am to 5 pm. We are closed
Monday.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rich
Sam says, “River flow is 4900.  The water is 50 degrees at the After Bay.
Fishing is good. Gray Ray Charles and juju baetes is working well. BP #3
is also working well. The Baetes Student and CDC Baetes have had nymph
success.  Try the fly San Quan worm in two tone red and brown for success.
Baetes hatches are going on. Fire beads are working well especially tan
Ray Charles and bead tan sow bugs.  Some nice rainbow trout 14 to 18
inchers have been caught on the first 13 miles.  The lower river people
are finding big catches at Mallard to two leggings. The water is clear and
you can catch on the lower section but stay on the left hand side as there
is less moss debris. Call if you need specific information. Our shop hours
have changed and we are open 7 am to 5 pm. Monday to Sunday.

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing