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 here this couple of days. They caught a couple of
northerns. No walleye were caught. The bay froze this week. There is 10 to
12 inches of ice. Ice on the North end is 12 inches. The north end was
just not biting. It was real cold except Saturday. It looks like the
lake froze but it just froze. It is only holding snow, probably 2 to 3
inches. Not ready for any weight,” Neal 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,” It is cold here. The south end has 15 inches. At Campers
Point there is There were a fair number of fishermen on the weekend. They
are moving all over the lake. They are catching some fish but it is not
red hot. There is snow on the ice. Ice is 8 to 10 inches thick. The bigger
minnows are catching some nice northernpike.”
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Craig Putchat of the Park office has offered to provide some information
on Hell Creek. Craig says, “Hell Creek is not all frozen yet. Only about
¾ of it is. It is not into the main lake. The ice is about 5 to 6
inches. No machines are allowed right now. It is walk on only. If they
are fishing the catch is only northern pike. Very few perch or walleye.
Devil’s Creek has 5 inches. They are catching walleye and a few sauger.”
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” We only got 3 to 4 ibches of sbow. The water
just froze over the night before last. The ice iss really thin. On the
dredge cuts the ice iss thicker. They are sparing and getting trout,
walleye and northern pike.”
Lake Elmo Billings
A few fishermen have been out there with their ice houses but the cold
and snow has slowed the fishing. They have been setting up on the north
end. There is 12 inches of snow on the ice.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Jennifer says,” We have had snow so the road has not been open. The
county just cleared the road yesterday. The interior roads are being
plowed today. The ice is 1 foot deep.” Not many have been out lately
fishing.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
“It has been slow because of the weather. You can walk out from shore.
They are only getting one at a time. There is 6 inches of snow and it is
snowing right now,” Tony says.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“It just has been too cold. We haven’t heard any reports, staff says.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
” Crooked Creek is fishing well. They are having good success. They are
catching northern pike with tip ups and minnows during the day. In the
evening use small jigs with maggots. They are catching black crappies. The
ponds to the east are froze over. They are catching perch, trout with a
small jig and a maggot. Achley is real iffy just not ready for ice
Fishing ,” Charles 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. I got part of the way but the
weather made me turn back. I was told Devils Creek has 11 inches of ice
they say and was slow. Forchette Bay was slow.”
“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,” The sun has been out but it has been windy and 28 degrees.
We only have 2 to 3 inches of snow. The ice is good but you have to be
aware of where the pressure ridges are. Call Silos to find out whee they
are. We have 9 to 12 inches. I would say out of 10 the perch fishing
has been an 8. Some are catching trout at 6 to 10 feet on the south end
by the ponds and dikes. They are catching a few walleye and ling. It was
a busy weekend. I still would call for conditions though. The Marina is
open.”
Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“Fishing has been steady. It has been very 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. You can
go 16 inches from shore with a vehicle. The middle you need to be
cautious. Some 4×4’s were used out further.
Forchette is just not good yet. It is just slower to form ice, ”Don says.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Josh
Josh says,”At Cooney people have said it has been hit and miss.
Catching a few walleye and trout about 2 to 3 pounds.
I hear Deadmans has been kind of slow.
People say Tongue has been catching. You never know if you are going to
get 100 crappies or only a few. It seems to be just if you are in the
right place.
Tiber is slow not too good. The ice is good but only heard of a couple
northerns taken through the ice.
Georgetown I have been told the kokanee are still biting. They are
getting them with jigs.
I also have heard that you need to check on pressure ridges in several
places. Like Canyon Ferry, Deadmans and Nelson,”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says,” We have 60 degrees today and the snow is going fast. It was 42
degrees during the night. The rivers are ice chunks. The Madison has
flooded the banks and is backed up to the interstate.
I heard Harrison is doing good. I talked to guys who fished Canyon Ferry
and they said the south end had 10 inches. They caught very little, it was
slow that day.”
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 worse than last week. There is no open
water. So at this time fishing is just not happening. ”
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,” It is definitely cold. Fishing is still good. The water
freezes as soon as it comes out. You can now see some single midges fly
fishing on rare occasions. Not many people are fishing it is just too
cold. You can use streamers like sowbugs and scuds. Streamer fishing is
the way to go. All boat ramps are in. 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.
