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
“We had no fishermen action this week. The whole lake is frozen. The
edges have 10 to 12 inches of ice. Ice on the North end is 12 inches.
They are walking in at this time. We had some high wind this week so
drifting happened,” Bill says.
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 Spencer says,” fishing has slowed down some. The south end has 12
to 14 inches. I fished yesterday using wax worms, white jig and minnows.
White seems to be the ticket right now. The crappie bite is fair. Some
perch are being caught. Ice is only 6 to 8 inches thick. They are using
side by side and 4 wheeloers.”
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Craig says, “Hell Creek ice is pretty good. You can catch mostly northern
pike in Hell Creek bay. They are just starting to get a few walleye.
Going East is not possible. Snow Creek has only 4 to 5 inches. Use lots
of caution. They are taking 4 wheelers and snow mobiles on at Hell Creek.
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” The ice is not very good. You can’t go out
very far. The ice is just too poor. You can try the back bays. Stay
back off the points though. If they are catching it is mostly northern
pike right now. Only occasionally a walleye is caught. Go 12 to 15 feet
down. In some places the ice is 4 to 6 inches”
Lake Elmo Billings
A lot of fishermen have been out there fishing. They are getting some
nice rainbows being caught. They are jigging on the bottom and some are
using corn. It seems to be working. We have a little hockey area the
kids are using. Some people are doing some cross country skiing as
well.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Glennis says,” We had lots of fishermen out this past weekend. The ice is
1 foot deep. They were fishing pretty much all over. They seem to be
catching trout and a few ling.”
Deadmans Tony Stefani
”No one has been on the lake. The weather has nt been good. It has been
drifted in. They plowed some on Friday. I can tell you fishing on
Broadview Pond has been good. That I have heard,” Tony says.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“It just has been pretty slow. No one seems to want to head there. The
first part of last week Martinsdale they were fishing there but not after
that. Broadview Pond is doing fairly good. They are getting some nice
size trout there. Just catching only a few of anything else,” Gary says.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
” Fishing has been fair this week. Crooked Creek road has been plowed.
It has good ice. It has been fair fishing. At Forchette Bay the Dry Fork
road is good. The ice is good and fishing is fair. I heard Hell Creek
was just okay fishing. Nelson is good fishing. The north river has good
ice. We had snow this week and have 15 inches of snow at the shop. Before
the snow storm Achley had punky ice, don’t know what it is now,” Dale
explains.
Crooked Creek-Grant
The number to check if it is open is 1-406-429-2999. Word has it there
is a good amount of ice and people have gone out with success.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
Eddie says, “At Tongue I heard it was slow. Word has it Devils Creek has
11 inches of ice but was slow fishing. Forchette Bay is also slow
fishing.”
“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. 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,” fishing was good this week. Lots of perch have been good.
They are getting them at 30 to 50 feet depths. Lots off rainbow trout
also being caught and a few ling also. The walleye fishing has been just
moderate but what they catch has nice size. The ice is good. We have 10
to 12 inches of ice. I still would call for conditions. Just a reminder,
the Broadwater Lions Perch Derby is January 24 and 25 here. You can sign
up on the day. Call the Marina for more information. The Marina is
open.”
Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
It has been steady fishing. Still good fishing at Lake Nelson. They have
been catching decent fish. There has been some big northern pike caught.
A few bigger than average walleye are being caught. The middle you need
to be cautious.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Josh
Josh says, ”I heard at Cooney people they are catching a few walleye
and trout. A few ling also were caught that I saw pictures of.
I hear Deadmans has been kind of slow.
People say at Tongue walleye has been picking up. Others have had slow bites.
People are saying they are catching at Broadview Pond. Some people have
caught 2 to 3 pounds and some nice fish.
Nelson has slowed down some.
Our Scheels Ice fishing seminar day is this weekend on Jan. 17th at Lake
Elmo from 9 to 3 pm. You will learn how to ice fish, see new items and get
fed besides. Come and join us, its free. And I heard at Elmo they are
catching perch and rainbow trout,”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says,” We have 46 degrees today and the snow is melting. The Gallatin
is open. The Madison and Jefferson are still froze.
I talked to guys who fished Canyon Ferry and they said the south end had
10 inches. Fishing is decent to good.”
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 rivers are ice and slush. So at this time fishing is
just not happening. It is supposed to warm up so in a couple of days of
that it may change enough for fishing if the nights warm up.”
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
Fishing is still good. You can now see some single midges fly fishing on
rare occasions. Not many people are fishing. You can use streamers like
sowbugs and scuds. Streamer fishing is the way to go. If it snows Olka Bay
is not plowed so then it is not useable”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
