Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 8.11.14
By angelamontana

Posted: August 13, 2014

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

Please be advised weather is changing constantly and some days wind can be
a factor. Summer weather is unpredictable and the heat can be treacherous.
Stay hydrated as you fish.   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. Please remember that the fish are
also stressed because of the heat and treat them carefully if you catch
and release. 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
“They are catching northern pike and bass this week.  Just fish off the
rocky points using a crank bait.  As is typical for this time of the year
the walleye bite has been slow this week. We saw a  38 incher and a 20
incher caught this week. The water temp is around 75 degrees. They are at
25 to 35 feet deep. It is tough fishing. Fishing for the cure tournament
is this weekend here.  You can still sign up at 406-599-8092 or
www.fishingforthecure.com  to participate.

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

Matt says,” Bass fishing is still good this week. People are pitching
cranks or plastics. Walleye are deep at 25 feet deep plus. They are doing
okay. Try bottom bouncers, cranks and vertical jigging are working.  The
water temp is 84 degrees.”   Marina hours are 8 am to 6 pm.

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

Lane says,” Northerns and bass are being caught in the shallows in the
main lake.  Go to about 15 feet deep or less.  People are pitching cranks
mostly. Walleye fishing has slowed down. They are getting mostly eaters
size walleyes going 20 feet deep with a bottom bouncer and leech.”
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” Lake Trout are really, really good.  They
are catching a salmon once in a while at the dam. I have seen some 17 to
22 pounders. They look fat and sassy when you catch one.  They are using a
4 1/2 to 5 ½ inch squid or flasher. Walleye fishing is real good too.  Go
to Bear Creek, Hacksbee, and Yorks Island. We are seeing from eaters up to
32 inchers.”

Lake Elmo Billings
Bob says, “During the day Lake Elmo is covered with swimmers.  If you come
real early in the morning the fishermen are at the peer and towards the
northwest.  They are catching rainbow trout with bait and a bobber.
The forest service in Red Lodge has stopped all camp fires in the forest
and campgrounds.”

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
There are stage II fire restrictions going on right now. I have been
told fishing at Cooney is good for walleye at night. Fishing has not
been happening much during the day although someone saw someone with a
stringer during the day today.  They were walleye and a decent size.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261

“I have heard both Martinsdale and Deadmans have slowed down. Try using
worms, cowbells and lures.  I also heard Newland was really hot this week.
It was okay fishing.” Kenny says.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

“The only good fishing is at Spring Creek. It is the only thing
happening.  Use PVD’s in the morning, caddis in the evening. Use hoppers
during the day. For nymph fishing throw in anything, they all are
working. People are catching mostly browns. It is the only place to go.
It needs to get cooler to go elsewhere,” Dale says.
Ponds are changing because of the heat The ponds are mossing up,” he says.

Crooked Creek-Grant
At the Fall Classic which was held last weekend some people who
participated stated they learned the hard way that going 40 to 45 feet
deep is the clue to catching big fish. The big winners were for first
place team Daniel and David Lawrance-Savage 35.8 pounds. Second place
team was  Mike Dombrovski and Jon Stoller 31.78 pounds.  Third place
team was Bob Hickey- Kalispell and Jason Mundel- Coram 30.5 pounds. Many
of those who fished it went almost to Forchette for their catches but
there were quite a few zeros on the days of the event among the losers
on those days.  If you fish Crooked Creek watch out for underwater tree
branches that can cause damage to your boat as you go out.    Dusty
says, “The Marina is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every weekend
in August. We have gas, camping, cabin rental and book lockup.  The
store has night crawlers and ice.  Our number is 1-406-429-2999.

Minnow Bucket-Eddie White  696-1281
A lot of small mouth  are being caught going east toward Waco. We caught
30 small mouth, 15 to 20 sauger and 10 to 15 cats going that direction on
the river using a jig and a minnow. Catfish toward Huntley on the river
are still biting. Blood shrimp and suckers are still working.

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

Fishing at canyon Ferry is excellent right now. This week we have seen a
33 incher, and a 33 ½ incher caught.  Really nice fish.  They are taking
anything bait wise you want to use. Lots of eater size   being caught.
In fact one friend had four in the boat and caught 100 walleye on my
flamingo lure. I would say it is good fishing for trout and walleye. Go
deep 16 to 25 feet.

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

“Nelson is still good for walleye. It is slow during the day. Fish early
morning and late evening for success. Fishing is better going deeper.
Expect to catch perch with the walleye.
At Forchette fishing is good.  Use bottom bouncers with a worm for walleye
at 40 to 45 feet pulling bottom bouncers,” 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, “Yellowtail is good for bass.  We hit a lot of bass at Olka
Bay using top water bait.  For crank bait use a shallow diver.  That is
working.
Rock Creek by Joliet is okay fishing.  I caught brown trout and white fish
in an afternoon of fishing.
On the Yellowstone by Huntley use crank baits and spin bait and you will
catch some golden eye. Use a #4 size hook with a sinker and leeches and
you will catch catfish.  Find slow back water and you can catch some nice
ones from 12 inches to 4 ½ pounds.
I heard Cooney last week was hit and miss for walleye trolling.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

“You can do well for walleye at Canyon Ferry right now. The Gallatin is
pretty low.  Madison is the best of the bunch. The Missouri has lots of
moss.  The Jefferson is warm on the lower end.  Go higher but realize
access is limited. Floating is your only option it,” 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 Yellowstone is clear from the Park down. The
sediment has cleared. Try hoppers after noon.  You can drop a nymph with
good results.  Copper Johns and any long legged nymph is bringing
success.  On the Stillwater try the purple haze.  Use a parachute Adams
for success. The Stillwater is less than 3 feet. Don’t use a boat higher
than Johnson’s.  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
Staff says, “The Big Horn is very grassy. If you are a good skilled angler
you can have success. Caddis are hatching. Use pseudos’ and caddis pupa as
they are working.  The CFS is up to 3100.” Call if you need specific
information.” Our shop hours  are 7 am to 5 pm. Monday to Sunday.

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