With winter 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.
(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“The ice is forming on the lake. Glenn went out this morning and checked
it 12 feet from the bank. The ice is at least 6 inches deep there in the
bay. When he checked he found no water at that depth with what he was
using to check. There is open water still out of the bay. We have had a
lot of freezing then thawing then freezing again. The ice is just not
ready yet,” Linda explained.
The marina is closed but I will be around some of the time this winter.
The cabins are still open,” Bill says.
Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley
Bob says,” During the week a few people have been fishing. The weekend was
really busy with fishermen on the south end. I would say it is 6 to 10
inches thick. They are fishing from Rattlesnake to the South end. The
whole reservoir is ice. Guys are putting ice houses on the ice. They are
close to Campers Point. I heard a few northern pike have been speared and
a few walleye caught.”
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Again left a message and unable to contact this week
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” No ice on the lake yet. There is a little bit
at the dredge cuts. You just have to wait with the fishing. Head out
hunting instead. There are still tons of geese and ducks and hunting is
really good.”
Lake Elmo Billings
Bob explains ,“There is ice and snow on Elmo. The whole lake is
covered. They were fishing around the edge next to the shore this week.
There doesn’t seem to be much catching going on.”
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Jennifer says,” Cooney is frozen solid. We have no open water. We have
not seen a lot of people out fishing this week. Come out and ice fish.
All docks are out now.”
Deadmans Tony Stefani
“They have been catching on Deadmans. There is some open water around the
inlet. People are on the ice. There is not enough ice for a car. People
are fishing near the boat docks only a few ice houses out,” Tony says.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“It is cold as hell here. Some snagging of Kokanee at Deadmans is
happening. Ice is like 4 inches. They are doing it close to shore. I
have not heard anything on Martinsdale,” Terry said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
”The ice is terrible right now around here. Go North to Nelson to ice
fish. Fishing there is steady I hear. There is good ice there. The
conditions around here have changed and the ice is lousy,” Dale explains.
Crooked Creek-Grant
The number to check if it is open is 1-406-429-2999.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
Eddie says, “I saw fishermen with a 15 inch crappie, a 2 pound crappie
and 10 pound walleye. Fishing was slow on Tongue on Saturday. Ice is 10
inches close to shore, 6 inches at Rattlesnake and 4 inches at the
Marina. They are using tipups and a minnow. . No one is fishing the
Yellowstone river. The Yellowstone has lots of ice chunks right now.”
“I will be at Tongue every Saturday with minnows weather permitting. I
will be there from 7 am to 5pm. So you can get minnows,” Eddie explains.
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
Sharon says, ”Canyon Ferry has good ice 4 to 6 inches thick. It goes as
far as to Hole in the Wall. It is very clear and smooth. Not many are
drilling and if they do they are staying close to shore. Make sure you
call for conditions before you come as things do change quickly. The
Marina is open.”
Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“There is good fishing for walleye and northern pike. The ice is good on
the side and in the bay. The middle is not firm yet. You can go 200
yards off shore right now. Forchette is not fishable right now,”Jim
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 they are catching at Payola. They are catching
perch ice fishing. I also heard at Georgetown by Tiber they are
catching a few trout. I was told there is 6 inches of ice at Tiber.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
”Canyon Ferry has ice and they are catching rainbow, walleye and perch.
They are using maggots and night crawlers. On the Jefferson river they
are catching fish. It is wide open with some chunks of ice. Using night
crawlers they are catching trout. Strangely, the Madison and Gallatin
rivers seem to be up,” Rich explains.
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, “The Stillwater and Yellowstone have opened up a bit more.
The water has cleared out. There is still some buildup on the edges
which can make it hard to fish. If you can get on try nymph fishing. ”
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
Curt says,” It is cold! Streamer fishing is the way to go. Try orange
scuds and snow bugs. Try colors of black and olive. The upper 20 miles
are better. All boat ramps are in. Olka Bay is not plowed so if it snows
it is not useable”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
