(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)
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.
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“I had only one group go out and that was Saturday. They said there was 5
inches in the bay. Got a few. The temperature has been going up so
conditions will change again. I just don’t think the ice is ready yet,”
Bill explained. 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,” Guys are putting ice houses on the ice. They are fishing from
Rattlesnake to the South end. The whole reservoir is ice. I don’t know
the Campers Point going North and how thick the ice is. I did go to the
dam and check the ice there and it was soft.”
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Unable to contact this week
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said, ”We still have no ice on the lake yet. There is
a little bit at the bay but not any you can be on. Just wait with the
fishing. There are still tons of geese and ducks and hunting is really
good.”
Lake Elmo Billings
There is ice and snow on Elmo but the warmer weather is affecting it.
They were fishing around the edge next to the shore earlier in the
week.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Malerie says,” Cooney is frozen over. We have no open water. We have
not seen anyone out fishing this week. One fellow was out for 3 hours and
only got one rainbow. Really not thick enough to get on yet. All docks
are out now.”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“I heard they are getting Kokanee at Deadmans. Ice is like 4 inches.
They are starting to run and are biting well. I don’t know what they are
biting on though,” Ken said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
”People are catching right now. Crooked Creek here has 10 inches of ice.
They are going North at the brush line and getting a minnow bite. Nelson,
I hear are fishing well. The local ponds have 7to 8 inches. Some perch and
rainbow being caught. Just make sure you use caution as conditions can
change,” 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, “Tongue on Saturday from Rattlesnake South had 4 to 8 inches.
Now with the warm weather be careful it may have changed. I saw a few
crappie caught last week. Huge nice crappie 12 to 13 inches. Walleye
and northern pike were fair. I saw a 10 and 8 walleye and a 10 #
northern caught. They are using a tipup and a minnow. I will be at
Tongue Saturdays with minnows weather permitting. I will be there from 7
am to 5pm. So you can get minutes. No one is fishing the river. The
Yellowstone has lots of ice chunks right now.” “I have been told Fort
Peck and Nelson have enough ice to fish. The fishermen said the day was
not good for fishing. He said there was good ice up to McGuire Creek,
Eddie retells.”
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
Canyon Ferry has ice but with temperature changes it can change. They
were catching rainbow trout, walleye and perch. Night crawlers are
working. Make sure you call for conditions before you come as things do
change quickly.
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 safe on the
side and in the bay.It is not in the middle. You can go 200 yards off
shore right now. Use lots of caution. Forchette is not fishable right
now I believe,”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 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
”Canyon Ferry has 5 inches of ice. I hear they are catching rainbow
trout, walleye and perch. They are using maggots and night crawlers. The
ice is off the rivers but it is way too hard to get past the shelf ice,”
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 are no longer slushy. The
water has cleared out. There is buildup on the edges which makes it
hard to fish. No one I know has been out.”
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
Kurt says,” No ice here. Streamer fishing is the way to go. Fishing is
good. All boat ramps are in. Olka Bay is not plowed so if it snowed it
is not useable. Fall streamer fishing is good. Try black, olive, and white
streamers. There are a few baetes on the surface.”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
