Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 7.14.14
By angelamontana

Posted: July 16, 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.

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Linda says, “The are biting.  They are awake now and hungry.  There has
been some nice fish caught. We have seen  2 walleyes one 26 ½ inches and
27 inches just from guys fishing. Some fishermen are using a Big Back jigs
and bottom bouncers. Blues and purple spoons are really working. With the
jigs  people are finding success with colors that resemble crawdads. They
are going to a depth of 20 to 30 feet for walleye. The water is warm at 72
degrees. The Governor Cup was very successful.  First place was won by
Jessie and Monica Reuter of Sidney with 44.05 pounds for a winning of
$10,825. 2nd place was won by Kyle Bine of Vida, MT and Colby Tonetic of
Bismarck with a weight of 42.04 pounds for a winning of $8,150.  Third
place as Marvin Johnson of Fort Peck and Donald Johnson of Great Falls
with a weight of 37.17 pounds for a winning of $4,900.”

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

Matt says,” Walleye fishing has slowed down.  They have gone deeper
because of the heat.  That will bring more action for the bigger walleye.
I heard of an 11 pound walleye caught yesterday.  The water is 75
degrees.  Crappies are now in the shallows and fishing for them have
picked up.  The water is a bit murky so try jigs with a worm or a jig
body trolling.  Tongue is staying full.  Northern pike are picking up.
We have had a 36 inch one caught  and two 10 pounders in the past days.”
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,” Fishing is picking up.  The weather yesterday influenced
the fishing and it was slow. People are using bottom bouncers You can find
them   going   15 to 20 feet. The best bite has been from Hell Creek to
Snow Creek for walleye.  Northern pike are doing pretty good on cranks. If
you want bass just go West   using  jigs with the leech and crawler.”

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” The fishing is pretty good, actually I
should say real good!  Nice fish were caught last weekend. Seems to be
everyone is heading towards the Pines and Duck Creek is still good.  They
are catching everything   walleye, northern pike and smallmouth.  We saw
success in all of them.  Just great fishing finally.  Look for fish at
depths of 5 to 30 feet anywhere. Lake trout are deep at 75 to 80 feet. At
this point anything is working. Chartreuse, orange. Spin n glows, jigs and
lindy rigs are all working they say.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Rogers’s pier is where fish are being caught. Lots of people at the water
trying. They are catching from the boat ramp to the swimming beach. Elmo
has a decent population of cat fish. Some trying for largemouth bass.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Maleri says, “The fishing is pretty good. It is still slow.  It is not a
fast bite. You are pretty much catching them one by one.  They are
biting on everything and anything. The weather seems to be the factor of
what works. The bite is definitely better at night when it is cooler.
They are catching walleye and trout ”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“We are not hearing about a lot of action. At  Martinsdale  they are
catching brown trout and rainbow but nothing real exciting.  They have
planted so they tend to be small we hear.  People are getting fish both
from shore and boats.  No talk of anyone catching much at Deadmans this
week.”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

“ Spring Creek is doing real well. Fry patterns  are doing well. Dry
flies are doing well. Using nymphs has been exceptional.  Try Yellow
Sally’s. The caddis are hatching.   .

Achley has slowed because of the heat.  Use leaded line and go shallow
that has done pretty well.  They are fishing from shore and boat, “said
Dale.
Forchette at Devils Creek has good fishing. To get walleye go 10 to 25
feet. It varies a lot with the heat, “Dale tells us.

Missouri is still off color. They are catching cats and a few sauger.
They are using the usual crawlers and crank baits.
The ponds are starting to moss up,” he says.

Crooked Creek-Grant
“The Marina is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every weekend in July
and August. We have gas, camping, cabin rental and book lockup.  The store
will have night crawlers and ice.  We have no minnows.  “Fishing across
the bay is good for   walleye.  People are doing well. The Fall Classic is
here on August 9th and 10th,” explains Dusty. Our number is
1-406-429-2999.

Minnow Bucket-Eddie White  696-1281
“Catfish are still biting using   blood shrimp and suckers.
Small mouth have been more active   on the Yellowstone.  Some days the
water is almost clear.  I hear Devil’s Creek is slow going.  One
fisherman fished 2 days and only got 8 walleye and 2 perch. I tried
fishing the Tongue on Sunday and the winds were not good.  Fishing just
plain sucked.  Just too much wind,” Eddie says.

The hours of the Minnow Bucket 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 fish here. It is good for trout, perch and walleye.
At South pond   #4 is fishing well for walleye. Our pink Flamingo Lures
have been working.  Flicker Shads are also doing well.   Camp-mak-a-dream
walleye benefit will be Aug 2 get an application at Silos or call Peggy
at 855-8432.

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

“Nelson fishing continues to still be good. The perch seem to be deeper.
There was a good spawn so there are a lot of in the weed beds. Walleyes
are being caught on bottom bouncers with a jig in the shallows. Bass are
also biting.  People were getting their limit.  Find the bigger fish at
30 to 35 feet.
At Forchette you can use bottom bouncers with a worm for walleye going
deep 10 to 25 feet. The bite is on,” Jim reports.

Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time

Billings-Scheels Nate/Josh
Josh says, “  People went to Tongue.  They used a jig for walleye got
fish but nothing huge.  Mostly eaters.  You will find bass in the top
water. I used bait, frog lures and Rebel poppers. The water is 75
degrees and clear. Caught a few 4 to 4 1/2 pound with crank baits.
Canyon Ferry The people have said fishing was good.
At Cooney try a jig. One fellow got 7 to 8 walleyes , keeper size.  The
water is clear.
Fort Peck one of our guys caught 16, 11 and 9 pound walleye.  He used
bottom bouncers and worm harnesses with night crawlers and leeches.
He was fishing by Nelson Creek.

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

“Canyon Ferry is doing well for walleye. Lots of little walleyes mostly
are being caught.
The may flies and stone flies are out on the rivers. The Jefferson is
doing well for fishing. They are catching trout on imitation flies. It
seems to be good early morning and late in the day.  The rivers are
clearer. 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 is clearer and still high. It is now
floatable.  No hatch seen yet. The Yellowstone is still some high.  It
has still really come down more,  It really needs to clear. Fish in both
waters near the bank. On both water there is very little hatch”  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
Janet says, “The water is going up again. River flow is now 7000 CFS.
There is a nice flow but it limits wading.   Black caddis is working well
during the day. Use nymphs  and San Quan worm. The stream is good but
cloudy.  Olive pheasant tails are working.” Others say  the access from 3
mile to After Bay is limited to walking the bank because of the high
water. You can only walk in that area. They say nymphing using gray ray,
sow bugs, midge larva and olive pheasant tails are working.   Try
streamers that are in black and white colors. People say not much dry fly
fishing happening right now.   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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