(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)
With fall weather here please be aware that it can be unpredictable. 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
“We had ice yesterday, about 1 inch. Then the big sheets of ice were
moved out by the wind. You really have to be brave and dumb to go fishing
right now up here. The marina is closed but I will be around some of the
time. The cabins are still open,” Bill said.
Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley
Bob says,”The ice is better on the South edge but it is rather dangerous.
It started forming up. There have been fishermen on it in the last couple
days. We got 5 inches of snow yesterday and then last night we got
another half inch. Today it is 40 degrees and the wind is blowing. You
just have to stay close to shore.”
It appears people have determined, I’m not one of them, the ice on Tongue,
particularly on the south end, is sufficient to stand on and drill hole
and be cold hoping some hypothermic fish will be hungry. We have had a
prolonged inversion over the lake that will not go away. Temperatures have
remained rather cool and so some are venturing out and crossing the lake
over deep water. The accesses along the highway near the coal pits are
being used. We have had a couple of people use Rattlesnake. It is unknown
what the ice is north from Campers Point. I can say the lake was open
before Thanksgiving, but is now covered, Also there is a 3-4 inch snow
cover on the ice. I would advise caution and the need for ice safety items
when talking with folks.
Fees are in effect for Park use. Campers Point campsites 1 thru 11 have
electricity available. 4 wheelers and snowmachines can be used on the ice,
however they much have the stickers or be properly registered. They must
be used as a regular vehicle on the Park, no off road use is allowed.
There is not an available source for minnows at the Park. Wyoming
fisherman must use minnows sourced from Montana and can not import minnows
from Wyoming. Minnows can not be transported from Montana to Wyoming.
Minnows can not be dumped down a hole if any are left. Advise people to
put them in trash cans. There has been no inquiry to me at least to
operate a minnow concession on the Park. Please have people call me for
the particulars on that if interested.
Generally there is a bathroom open somewhere in every camp loop. Other
services are not available including the Marina which is closed until
April.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Staff says, “No ice on Hell Creek. No one has been out. No fishermen out
there. The wind is really blowing. ”
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said, ”We are in between. The ice is on and then the
ice is off. There has been ice forming around the marina. Some of the
dredge cuts are froze over. Wait with the fishing. There are tons of
geese and ducks come up and hunt.”
Lake Elmo Billings
“There is ice and snow on Elmo. Someone put an ice shack near the shore
and fished for a couple of hours. I wouldn’t put one in the middle
yet. They are fishing around the edge next to the shore. It is just
not ready to walk on further out yet”, Bob says.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Malerie says,” Cooney is frozen over. We have no open water. It is just
1 ½ inches thick. Not thick enough to get on yet. All docks are out
now.”
Deadmans
Bob heard that the Deadmans has open water. The wind got into the ice and
blew it out.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“No one is talking fishing or going out. It is just too windy. Probably
catch a cold and nothing else right now,” staff says.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194,
” We are all waiting for ice. The
middle is open. Ice is forming. Most people are just getting their stuff
ready and waiting” Charlie says.
Crooked Creek-Grant
The number to check if it is open is 1-406-429-2999.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
Eddie says, “Went to Tongue yesterday and on the south people were
fishing and the ice was 6 inches in a few places. Other places I sure
would not have walked on . So you have to be aware. No one is fishing
the river. The Yellowstone has lots of ice chunks right now.”
We are in winter hours as of Oct. 1st. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we
are open 11 to 5. Saturday hours are 7 to 5 pm. “Sunday to Tuesday is
appointment only. I have lockers and can put it in there for you just
call,” Eddie says.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“We have about 3 inches of ice. Ice should get better with the cold. We
are telling people it should be ready to get on at the end of the week.
So far no ne has been fishing. Make sure you call for conditions before
you come as things do change quickly,” Sharon says.
Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“One fellow speared fish at Nelson but was real unsure of the condition
of the ice. He was about 20 feet off shore and there was open water
beyond that. We are having super cold weather. I know on Sunday there
was open water. Use lots of caution. The bay is safe for walking on,”
Staff says,” Don reports.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Josh
Josh says, “I heard Cooney has ice but it is only good along the edge.
No one is going out yet. The guys here are wise enough to stay in and I
am not going out of the office to ice fish. They are smart guys and I
will follow their idea. We just need to wait for it to get colder.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Oh, we definitely have ice on the rivers. We have 6 degees and an
inversion so when elsewhere they were warming we were real cold. Canyon
Ferry has ice but needs more time. The rivers are froze over specifically
the Jefferson and the Madison. Lots of ice jams.
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
Chris says, “We had a cold snap last Saturday. Fishing is slow to non
existant right now. The Stillwater and Yellowstone are slushy, iced up
one day and slushy when it warms a bit. If it warms up in the late week
a few spots might be doable. So it is real slow. Weather decides
things.”
We now are in fall hours in the shop and are open Tuesday to Sat. from
9 am to 2 pm. We are closed Monday and Sunday.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-237
(This is two weeks ago report no response this week. )Hale says ,”The
river is still at 3,000 CVS. The water is clearer now. The clarity is
better significantly. Fall streamer fishing is good. The browns are
starting to spawn. Nymph fishing is working as well. Try scuds or gray Ray
Charles. We tend not to get ice up here, you might find some down at
Hardin but not here.”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
