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
“No fishermen were here this week. We now have 3 inches of snow on the
ground. The cold I imagine will build more ice. I know that in some other
places they are ice fishing but I have not heard how they are doing,” 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 again hit and miss this week. We have had some 60
degree weather. I heard of some perch being caught. Just not a lot of
activity. I want people to approach fishing here with strong caution.
Keep a close eye on ice conditions.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Jean says, “The ice in the bay is good. We are seeing success in fishing
is directly related to if the barometer is up or down. Low pressure on
day makes fishing great and if the pressure is up it is really slow. This
week had both. We have seen a few big fish in northern pike and walleye.
We are not recommending that you go out North of the Marina toward the
lake. We do have 1 to 1 ½ inches of snow. The ice is good and people are
going out with 4 wheelers.“
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” The ice is good in some places and just not
safe elsewhere. Just be dam careful if you are going to fish the points.
There is 15 inches in the bay. You can get to Duck Creek and Flat Lake.
They are catching a few fish in the river using boats. There is ice in the
dredge cuts. I have seen some real nice northerns and a few walleye. ”
Lake Elmo Billings
There is some open water. There are a few ice fishing right by the
shore by the boat ramp.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
“Folks are catching the rainbow planters from last year. I saw a nice 5
pound rainbow trout that was caught from the face of the dam. The ice is
1 foot deep but it is pitted on the top. The roads are good. There are
some open areas right now,” Jennifer says.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
“Don’t come here to come on the ice. We had areas of open water. The ice
has broke and then refroze but there is snow on the lake. That makes it
hard to see where it is thin. Don’t forget to get your new license,” Tony
says.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“The ice is off Martinsdale. A few people are catching rainbows off
shore. Deadmans has been slow all year. At Broadwater the weather turned
warm and fishing turned off,” Staff says.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
”There is solid ice on all of the small ponds around here again. Use power
bait and maggots. Achley is good fishing right now. The ice is good. Go
to 20 to 25 yrds up from the bottom. The river has ice but it is iffy.
Crooked Creek’s ice is a little iffy right now,” Charlie 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. My staff found Tongue to be a lot
better. He saw a 10 #, 8# and 6# walleye caught.The crappie bite was good
on Saturday. People say Cooney is hit and miss. The Yellowstone at
Huntley East has the ling starting to bite. ”
“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 has been okay. Perch have been good if you can find
them. They are catching little walleye and mostly throwing them back.
Watch the shore line. It has melted some on the South end. Stop in to
find out about the pressure ridges.” 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. They had the Derby there and it had
picked up for that. The ice is still good. So it is still good. “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 heard Nelson is pretty good. Ice is 20 inches thick. The
bite they say has slowed a bit. They caught a few walleye and perch.
McGuire Creek has 18 inches of good ice. When they drilled a hole they
found the water colored and murky. They only caught a few fish. At
Cooney they are catching walleye at night. Use a VNC jig with a spoon
for results. Those that went to Crooked Creek found lots of wind. I
went to the Big Horn on Thursday. There was a hatch going on. We were
using Jan Quan worms. Using nymphs and midge bait.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says,” The Gallatin is good fishing. The Missouri Headwaters are real
good. I was told Totson is wide open. Perch fishing was not very good for
some. The perch bite was real slow. Canyon Ferry fishing is not much,
just okay I hear. I heard Fort Peck, Crooked Creek and Nelson they have
said they caught some fish. Nelson I was told that there is 18 inches
thick ice.”
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, “A few people have gotten out before last week. There still
is the usual morning slush. There was definitely more water open Fri and
Sat. If would say your 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 Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-237
Kurt explains,”Fishing is decent. Midges worked less this week. Streamers
were spotty this week with success. Dry Fly fishing is the way to go this
week. The road to the lake is now plowed.”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
