Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 6.30.14
By angelamontana

Posted: July 2, 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 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, “This week fishing was pretty slow. We had 50 mph winds for 3
days. It started to pick up yesterday as he wind slowed down. The
weather report says warmer weather with less wind. People who were daring
and out were catching lots of eater size walleye. Last week no particular
pattern worked and the depth is 5 to 25 feet.”

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

Matt says,” Fishing is doing pretty good. The crappie bite is up. They
are using leeches and worm harnesses and trolling 18 to 23 feet and
getting nice size walleyes. Lots of bass are being caught. Any color is
working right now pitching to shore. Most guys are using jigs. If you
are going South use dark colors and going North use lighter colors, They
are catching a few crappies but walleye are better.” Marina hours are 8
am to 6 pm.

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

Staff say,” It was really rough fishing this week because of really high
winds and bad weather. Late yesterday it picked up some. People were
getting limits yesterday afternoon. Walleyes are being caught on bottom
bouncers. Guys were disappointed with the fishing but you just have to
try everything and be patient. The weather report is good for this week
so things are going to pick up. Just experiment with speed and depth and
you should get some fish. It is all about patience. North pike have
slowed. They are dragging cranks but not getting anything big or huge
right now. I went fishing last night and the water was like glass. I used
a pop water popper and plugs and caught some cisco.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” We had some real big winds here. Had 2
days of really big winds but today the weather has warmed up. I predict
from what they say about the weather fishing will really pick up. You
can’t fish in 45 to 47 mph winds. The Pines and Duck Creek were good for
some walleye. The water is up about 3 to 4 feet. Look for walleye at
depths of 17 to 30 feet. It varies with the weather. At this point
anything is working bait wise right now.”

Lake Elmo Billings
The busy weekend will bring out lots of people at the water. Earl said,”
The boat ramp to the swimming beach have some fish being caught. Elmo has
a decent population of cat fish. We have netted largemouth bass and tiger
Muskie at Elmo netting and electro-fishing so they are out there. At
this time of year Rogers pier has fish milling around to be caught. The
carp are about done spawning. Right before the 4th we stock Greeno and
wild Bill so that may be good fishing.

River front Park is fishing pretty good. A boy caught a tiger Muskie on a
marshmallow. So you never know what you might get when you fish there.

Broadview Pond has been good fishing. It has been stocked and has
rainbows, cut throat and largemouth bass.

The Yellowstone is fishing good for catfish but the water is high so be
careful.

The Stillwater is high again. So high you need to check bridge clearance
with your boat when on it. Be careful.”

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
The fishing is was not active this week. Malerie says,” People are still
catching fish. Walleye fishing improves until the weather changes it
daily. Walleye and trout mainly are being caught from boats.”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
This week wind has been a major factor. At Deadmans although very windy.
When you can get on you can still catch trout. At Martinsdale this week
caused that. Fishing has slowed a bit. Between the wind blowing and the
lack of warm weather Both Deadmans and Martinsdale have been fishing
decent with worms. Two Dot, Bear Lake and Southerland are fishing well.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

“Spring Creek is fishing real good. It is clearing. Good fishing
especially the edges at 2 to 3 feet depth. Use a micro caddis, or a PMD.
We are seeing a small baetes hatch. You can use caddis emergers,
copper and green beads and copper johns. Try small gold and silver
spinners.

At Achley use deep spinners toward the shore. Fishing is good, “said
Charlie.

East Fork has good fishing action. People are getting 8 to 11 inch perch.
Crawdads are working.

Missouri is higher again. It is running cold. So fishing is hard and
unpredictable.

Crooked Creek by Roy is fishing decent I hear.”

Crooked Creek-Grant
“The Marina opens at noon on Friday, We will only open Friday, Saturday
and Sunday of every weekend in July and August. Our services will be gas,
camping, cabin rental and book lockup. The store will have night crawlers
and ice. We don’t have minnows. We will have pop and snacks but not
perishables right now, “Dusty says. “Fishing close, across the bay has
had people catching walleye. Our launch is open and very usable. It is 5
foot at the end of the ramp. The Core is telling us we will be up 2 to 4
feet by end of July. People have been going out every day and people are
catching. The Fall Classic will be held here on August 9th and 10th,”
explains Dusty. Our number is 1-406-429-2999.

Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
“Catfish on the Yellowstone are still biting. On the river blood shrimp
are working. The catfish have been one to six pounds in size. The river
has dropped but it is not clearing much.
Tongue I heard was fishing poorly this week. I had one guy who actually
fished in the bad weather and had good success for walleye and some
crappie,” Eddie says.

Eddie White says 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 seeing decent fishing right now. Guys are catching some nice
fish. From White Earth to South pond they are catching when the weather
and wind is decent. For walleye if you have fished Canyon ferry before
you will have success. If you are a newbie at fishing it is tougher
getting something. We are selling a lot of pink Flamingo Lures. Pink
seems to be the hot color. I say the real men fish with the pink lure.
People are getting some nice walleye and some large trout lately.
Flicker Shads are also doing well,” Sharon says.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“At Nelson people were getting their limit. You had to be able to 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 Martinsdale and fishing was extremely slow.
Canyon Ferry The tournament people have said was slow. Some got fish
and some didn’t. Just not steady at all.

Hell Creek was not good this week. The wind was so bad, some guys did
not even get on the water the whole time they were there. Weather was
not good I heard Tongue fishing is still good.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540

“I headed to Fort Peck and tried fishing. The weather was terrible.
Fishing was not that great. There was wind and lightening. We saw lots
of northern pike but we could not get a bite.
The fishing is good on Canyon Ferry. I am hearing lots of small fish being
caught.

Rivers have come down. The rivers are clearing some more. People are
doing good on spinners fly fishing. Lures are also showing results. You
can catch some nice trout. Things are pretty dry here. We just did not
get the rain in May and June,” 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 is higher and swifter. There is a little
more clarity. It still is rising. Treat it with respect. There are
some bugs on the edges. It is still dangerous to wade. So do bank
fishing. Floating the water tough. If you are floating watch out for
bridge clearance. It is 4000 CFS today.

The Yellowstone is off color. The flow is down some but not a lot.
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. The Yellowstone may not be far from being good
fishing. When the heat bumps up as it is supposed to this weekend we
might see good fishing soon. Try the tributaries like the Rosebud.” 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
Hale says, “The water has been up this Spring and then it came down. Now
it is going up again. River flow is 40000 CFS. Today at noon it will go up
to 1400 CFS. It definitely has moss so this will help clear that. Fishing
is just tough for the Big Horn. If you are nymphing you night get
something. Try throwing some streamers. Not much dry fly fishing going on.
Right now you just have to expect it to change day by day. Just read your
water. 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