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
“Fishing has been slow this week. Those that have been out this week have
caught northern pike and walleye but it has been slow. The ice is 1 1/2
foot to 1 foot of ice. There is melted snow on the ice,” 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 says,” We have snow cover on the ice but really had no wind this week.
We had lots of fishermen out there this week. We did not get the ice melt
other places are. Fishermen were catching perch and crappie but it seemed
to be just a matter of just where you find them. Some found them some just
didn’t.”
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Craig says, “ There were quite a few fishermen out there. What I was
hearing was complaints that fishing was not good. They were catching some
perch. Ice conditions are deteriorating. Use extreme caution. There are
new pressure ridges and the wind is changing conditions. “
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” We had 40 degrees and lots of wind. There is
just not a lot of ice left. You need to be damm careful. There has been
some fishing happening at Duck Creek and Flat Lake. I saw one 13 pound
walleye caught. Just be real careful.”
Lake Elmo Billings
Bob says,”There are no fishermen out there fishing. That usually means
a lack of trust of the ice with the warming trend.” The ice fishing
seminar had slow catching this last Saturday.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Lots of fishermen out this past weekend. The ice is 1 foot deep at
Fishermens Point. At the dam the ice is 8 inches thick. They were
fishing pretty much all over.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
“Again this week no one has been on the lake. No one is catching,” Tony says.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“Fishing was real slow this week. No one seems to want to head there.
Broadview Pond has picked up I heard. They are getting some activity
there,” Gary says.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
” Fishing has been tough this week. Fort Peck fishing has been fair.
Crooked Creek and Devils Creek have been fair. There is lots of snow
there. You can get to all three spots so the roads are there. It is tough
to get around though. Nelson is pretty good. Not as much snow there. At
Achley, the rainbow have turned on. Spring Creek has no fishing
happening,” 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 crappie fishing is good. Walleye and northern pike
was slower. I did see a 8 pound and 14 pound northern pike and a 10
pound and 6 pound walleye. But most said it had slowed. Castle Rock was
pretty warm. Some were catching pike. The edges were definitely
melting.”
“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 flashes of good and then flashes of not that
good. They are catching perch, walleye, trout and a few ling. People are
using Pete’s tackle and perch assault rods and we have them because so
many have asked for them. The ice is good. We have 10 to 15 inches of
ice. I still would call for conditions. The Broadwater Lions Perch Derby
is this weekend. Saturday is for single fishermen and Sunday is 3 men
teams. 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
“Nelson is good fishing. They have been catching nice fish. They are
getting northern pike on the shoreline. The perch have been deep. At
Forchette northern pike are being caught. It is 10 inches all the way
around,“said Jim.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Josh
Josh says,” Our ice fishing seminar went well. Fishing was slow but
how much that was due to playing with new toys I don’t know. One fish
was caught.
At Cooney the ling are not real hot. There was a bite but it seemed to
come in in waves.
People are saying at Tongue, fishing has slowed some. I went and had them
on the screen but no matter what I threw in they were not interested and
it was right in front of their nose.
At Crooked Creek by Winnett people have done real well for walleye and
northern pike.
At Petrolia word is they are catching a few walleye but mostly perch. The
few walleye were 2 pounds.
Martinsdale was real slow for people.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says,” We have 44 degrees today. We have no wind, sun and no snow.
The Gallatin is open. The Madison and Jefferson are still froze and no
action there. The edges are dangerous.
At Canyon Ferry fishing is good. The guys are catching rainbow trouts,
walleye and nice perch. Fishing is decent to good. At Harrison Lake ice
fishing for trout has been 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 weather has definitely cleared up. Lots of warm
weather and wind. Lots of shelf ice on the edges. You have to be
careful. A few have tried it but I have gotten no word on how they did.
There is some open water but 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.
