Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 6.23.14
By angelamontana

Posted: June 25, 2014

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 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.

Report compiled by Carol Henckel

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Bill says, “Pike fishing for the tournament was tough. The winner was Eddy
Mindt of Lambert Montana with a pike 43 1//4 inch. I came in third. Water
temperature is 66 degrees at McGuire.  Walleye are in water from 15 to 25
feet. People are using worms and leeches.  Fishing seems to have picked up
in the last 2 days because of better weather. Try fire tigers.”

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

The Brandon says,” We are seeing big walleye being caught.  Just today
one guy caught a 13, 11, 5 and 11  pounder.  Another one caught an 11
pounder and two 8 pounders.  They are getting them at 10 to 20 feet. Most
guys are using jigs with night crawlers and a crank trolling.   The
crappie have slowed down. Any color seems to be working.  Some are trying
a worm harness with a bottom bouncer. Northern pike are biting quite a
bit right now. ” Marina hours are 8 am to 6 pm.

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

Staff say,” Northerns and bass are up in the willows.  Walleye are going
deeper like 25 to 30 feet because of the storms we have had.  They are
doing bottom bouncers and experimenting with many colors.  It changes from
day to day.  The water is up one foot. We had a 31 inch walleye at 11.2
pounds.  We also saw a 20 pound northern pike. Water is 61 degrees. Many
people are heading to Snow Creek for walleye.
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says, ”Lake trout are doing well.  They are
biting at 50 to 65 feet. Especially toward Hacksbee and Bear Creek. The
flutter spoon is working well. Northern pike, walleye and smallmouth are
spread out. We need the wind to stabilize. They are consistently catching
walleye.  We have seen 10 pound walleye being caught.  Water temperature
is 60 degrees. I figure the 4th of July is about when we will have really
good fishing

Lake Elmo Billings
“Lots of people are out at the water.  More playing I think than fishing.
The carp  are spawning at the weeds. They are in 4 inch deep water so you
can see a hundred at a time. Elmo water level is really high.  It is
full.” 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
I haven’t heard much different this week. Deadmans and Martinsdale have
been fishing decent with worms. Two Dot, Bear Lake and Southerland were
fishing well.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
We have had a bit of rain this week.  Not much.  On Spring Creek is clear.
Good fishing especially the edges at 2 to 3 feet depth.  Use a bead
prince head, or a blue wing olive.  We are seeing   a small baetes hatch.
You can use small gold SM spinners as well. Achley is good using worms or
power bait. In 18 inches to 2 feet deep.  Northern Pike are shallow.  Try
a jig for walleye. Missouri River is good fishing.  I had a young man who
had caught a 18 pound catfish. Use night crawlers to catch them.  The
water is high and fast. It is still off color.  Crooked Creek is good.
You can get a boat in and fishing is pretty good, “said Charlie.

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
“On the Yellowstone cat fish fishing has been good.  The river has
dropped but it is not really clearing. Try using minnows and cut bait.
Guys are going from Huntley to Hysham. Heard of 1 to 5 pound catfish. On
Fort Peck fishermen had 30 mile an hour winds so fishing was not as good
they said,” 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

“Fishing has been great, awesome actually. Everyday we are seeing  a big
one caught. They are using bottom bouncers, jigs and cranks or pretty
much anything is working.  We have plenty of worms and leeches at the
Sikos if you need them.  Someone caught a 11.4 walleye.  There are rumors
of a record walleye being caught on Canyon Ferry.  The person who caught
the large walleye did not break the record.  It was 17.52 and he let it
go. It did not beat the record.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“At Nelson people were getting their limit.  You had to be able t get out
in the wind. If you fought the wind you did good.  A lot of guys left
empty handed because they just got off the water. If you go 30 to 35 feet
you will get less fish but bigger size fish. At Forchette fishing has
been good  and you can get nice size walleye using worm harnesses.  At
Fort Peck   northern pike have slowed some. 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, “ I went to Olka Bay at Black Canyon.  I got a few bass on a
bandit crank.  I was pitching to the shore.  From a boat the carp are
out and I also fished for walleye with bottom bouncers.
Hell Creek is fishing okay. Heard someone caught a 14 pound walleye
trolling. They are using a bottom bouncer with a crank. It wasn’t bad
they are just not superhot. People are using red tiger flicker shads
and pink Kits tackle jigs.
At Tongue fishing is still good. The lunker hunt frogs or pocket frogs
are being used and working.
On Cooney I heard it is slowing.  Try power bait.
At Rock Creek someone caught an 8 pound pike.  They only got one fish.
Seems to have shut off.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

“The fish are biting on Canyon Ferry. Walleye and rainbow trout is real
good I hear. Someone caught a 17 pound 12 oz walleye I was told.
Rivers have come down. The mosquitos are doing well. The Jefferson and
Madison are clearing. West Gallatin is less muddy. You can catch some
nice trout,” 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
Bill reports, “The Stillwater color is down. It is getting closer to
normal for this time of year. It is still dangerous to wade.  So do bank
fishing. Floating the water is questionable.  We have heard of a few
doing it but call to check conditions as it is changing now. There is
enough clarity now that you might be able to fish a tributary or side
channel.  Use big rubber leg patterns. Try San Quan worms or darker
wooly worm patterns. Yellowstone is still high and dirty.  Some small
side channel are safe.  The main is too dirty.  It still has a lot of
debris.  The first part is more fishable.  We think the golden stone fly
nymphs will be coming on in the next few days.  Use golden color flies
when that happens.”  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 30000 CFS. It definitely has moss. The water is
50 degrees. Fishing is good. Use Gray Ray Charles as they are working.
You can also use Carpet sow bugs as well. For nymph fishing use juju
baetes, glass bead red nymphs or flashback quill nymphs which are  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.  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.

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