Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 1.26.15
By angelamontana

Posted: January 28, 2015

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
“We had a few fishermen this week. A few northern pike, some small walleye
and lake trout. Minnows are what they are using. The ice is 1 foot of ice.
Surprisingly no wind and nice weather. The ice seems to be darker in color
so it is changing because of the weather but then the weather is supposed
to get colder this weekend,” 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,” Fishing was hit and miss this week. I heard of crappie, perch
and a couple of walleye being caught. The ranger went out today (Tuesday)
and found with the serious warming lots of water from snow is now on the
hills around the lake. A number of creeks are running high now. In the bay
the high creeks are cutting channels through the ice.   Use caution this
may start to separate ice and the warm weather may start pulling ice away
from the shore. In the Casper area we have been told vehicles have gone
through so caution is important. ”

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345  Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Donna says, “There is ice in the bay. About 12 to 17 inches. It is still
freezing at night. You can go as far as Lucky Point.  After Lucky Point
there are new pressure ridges.  So we are not saying you can’t go out
there but not recommending going out there unless you can go around them.
They were catching northern pike, wa;;eye 3 to 6 pounders, and sauger. I
heard of 1 ling being caught by Boy Scout camp. “

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” The ice is so bad it is fractured and just not
safe.  The river opened up and there are boats out there.  We had 40 to 50
degrees this week Lake. Just be real careful things are changing.”

Lake Elmo Billings
The staff says,” There is open water around the pier. As of today
(Tuesday) there are a few ice fishing right by the shore by the boat
ramp.”

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Lots of fishermen out this past weekend. The ice is 13 inches deep at
the dam. At the Red Lodge and Fisherman Point the ice is 1 foot thick.

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
“No one has been daring enough to head there. The warm weather is really
changing conditions,” Staff says.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
”Wear your life jacket! There is water on the ice everywhere.  Some places
have as much as 4 to 5 inches on the ice.  It is a train wreck just
waiting to happen.  If it keeps staying like this we will be using our
boats soon.  There is just no place safe,” 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, “Tongue ice is changing. Be careful.The only thing I know is
Castle Rock is 70 percent open water the ice is gone. ”

“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,” No the ice hasn’t melted right here. We have 10 to 15
inches. We have 67 degrees yesterday.  I have seen one ling caught and
some walleye. The South where the river comes in is open. The Broadwater
Lions Perch Derby this past weekend had 50 teams. That is up 17 from last
year. The weather was really perfect for family fishing. The big perch
for one fisherman was 1.23 pounds and the one team best 10 fish was 10.66
pounds.” The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“Nelson is still fishing okay. I had a group that went to  Forchette in
that had 60 fillets of various fish. Just don’t know how weather could
change that,“said Mindy.

Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time

Billings-Scheels Josh
Josh says,” I still hear at Cooney the ling slow.
Tongue fishing is changing because of the weather. Actually the ice is
probably real iffy everywhere I would imagine. Castle Rock has no ice at
all.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
Rich says,” We have 61 degrees today. The Gallatin is open. The fish bite
on the Madison is good. You do have to deal with shelf ice. The Jefferson
is open. Canyon Ferry fishing is decent I hear. This warm weather will
change the ice I am sure. At Harrison Lake fishing for trout has been good
they tell me.”

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.  With lots of warm
weather people are going out. No one has reported back on how the catch
was. Both rivers have opened up. There is little ice on the edges. It
has been warm enough for that to leave soon. There is not even the usual
morning slush. I would say your option is 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- Chris was on the Big Horn on Monday. “We chose to fish from the
boat.  There was no dry fly action.  We streamer fished from the boat. It
was not spectacular fishing but to be out in January with 62 degree
temperatures is worth it.  There was a strong breeze”, Chris said.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-237
Fishing is decent. People are fishing, lots on Sunday with the warm
weather.  You can use streamers like sowbugs and scuds. Streamer fishing
is the way to go.”

Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.

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