Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 9.8.14
By angelamontana

Posted: September 10, 2014

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

With fall weather approaching please be aware that it can be
unpredictable. Remember to 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 as temperature, wind and
precipitation can change quickly. Be prepared for all types of weather.
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
“Fishing was slow this week. Someone went out for 5 hours and only got 2
northern pike and 2 bass.  The water has been 65 degrees.  They were
shallow, not more than 2 1/2 feet. I think the fall bite should start at
any time I think.”

Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley
Matt says,” Tongue has been pretty good.  The fish were slightly deeper
this week.  The crappie, walleye and bass are moving shallow. The water
temp is 71 degrees.  I have seen 6 and 8 pounders this week. They are
still using jig and crawler and cranks.

We now have September hours.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we are now
closed.  We will be open Thursday to Sunday 8 am to 6 pm.  People are
catching some bass and walleye.  The walleye are moving back into the
shallows.  Crappies are still being caught.”

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

Staff reports,” Northern pike and bass are still pretty good fishing right
now. Go 15 foot or less to find them. No particular color is working
better than any other.   Walleye are scattered.  Use bottom bouncers and
crawlers. It is a tougher bite but the few. You can find a few big ones
out deeper at 20 plus feet out on the main lake. The water level is up
more than 2 feet right now.”

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge says,” We are getting rain right now. It is also
windy.  I have seen some nice walleye, 30 to 32 inches. They are getting
them near the pines and Gilbert Creek.  Lake trout are being caught
shallow but my prediction is they will be really good around October 25th
again. That is when it usually happens. The salmon are being called now
and then, mostly then. Very few caught.”

Lake Elmo Billings
The fishing has been spotty with the cool weather. With school back in
session, not many people out there trying to catch.

Rock Creek
“I headed to Rock Creek to fish.  It was spotty where the water was
high.  If you could find a spot that was lower you could catch some nice
brookies.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Erin says,” Trout are slow.  Some people are actually limiting out
walleye fishing out by the dam. They are using a lure jigging to get
them.  Catching rainbow trout is doable.  The water is low. There is
some green algae as the lake is turning over right now.”

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

Staff says, “Fishing was still slow. Not many people went out fishing and
talking about it. People are catching using a worm and marshmallows from
shore.”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

“It looks like we may get snow today from the way the sky looks. Spring
Creek is fishing steady. They are using blue wing and panther martins.
Try gold and silver for rainbows. That really is about the only place to
fish right now. The smaller waters definitely have color but it is less.
The lake is still high,” Dale says.

Crooked Creek-Grant
No new report. Be aware of the 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. We have gas, camping, and
cabin rental.  The store has night crawlers and ice.  Our number is
1-406-429-2999.

Minnow Bucket-Eddie White  696-1281
“Catfish are running big.I have seen some 12 pounders.  One of my friends
caught a 6 pound sauger.  They are biting really well on the Yellowstone
River.  One fellow went to Peck and got a 30 pound salmon but waited to
weigh it for a couple of days.  They also got a 25 pound laker.  They
were there a week and only caught 8 fish.  So it was kind of slow.
Another guy found Tongue really slow when he fished it,” 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

“Canyon Ferry has been decent fishing this week. We are still seeing
numbers. The perch are out there. They are getting walleye going north.
It seems to be best toward Goose Bay. They are catching 18 to 23 inch
size walleye.  Trout fishing is still good,” Sharon says.

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

“I am hearing Nelson fishing has slowed.  The guys are not catching much.
One of our guys went out and came home with nothing.  Noone is fishing
anywhere else right now.  They are out bow hunting,” Jim reports.

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

Josh says, “The soft opening of the new Scheels went well. People were
really busy looking nd not sharing their fishing stories.  And of
course I did not get out so no fishing news from me.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

I went to Canyon Ferry.  It was slow.  It was not overly good.  We just
got eater size walleye.  We headed North.  We only got 5 walleye and 5
others.  We had to go deep, 23 to 26 feet deep.
The rivers are doing good.  The mosquitos are doing well, “ Rich says.

Shop hours are Sunday 12 to 4 pm.  Closed Monday.  Tuesday to Saturday
7am 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 consistent fishing right now. You can
catch a nice one.  There is still a little caddis hatch but that is
about all we are seeing.  The skilled are having more success than the
novices right now. The novices have to work at it more. You can catch
fish with hoppers, purple haze and Grinch steamers also olive colored
ones.  On the lower water you will need to fish close to bank and in
pockets.
The Yellowstone is fishing pretty good.  It has gone down.  Most of the
mud color is gone.”
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, “the water is at 3750 CSF. For dry flies we think we are at the
end of trico black caddis.  You can use an 18 mahogany dunn or a pseudo
student. Streamers are good to use during the day.  Try a thin mint wooly
bugger.
Use standard nymphs. Try a gray Ray or pink scuds or pseudo wonder
nymph.  There is very little moss.  The water is clearer.”

Call if you need specific information.” Our shop hours  are 7 am to 5 pm.
Monday to Sunday.

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing