Montana Rainbow Trout Fishing in the Spring

Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 2.23.15
By angelamontana

Posted: February 25, 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 were full this past weekend.  There were lots of people here.  The ice
is good.  The fishing was slow as they caught only a few northern pike and
walleye.  The ice depth is about a foot and a half.  Saturday had some
wind.  They were using 2 wheelers.  The lake has come up,” Bill said.
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 really poor conditions for our ice.The gap between the
shore and the ice is huge.  We have had eight below temps over
night but there still is a lot of water on the ice.  In fact I took my
inspector around and found one ice house that wasn’t pulled out that
really was down because of the water.  ”

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345  Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“It was slow for people coming up here so not many fishing. The storm
front came through and shut down the action.  There is 1 foot of ice in
the bay. They are catching mostly northern pike and a few walleye,”Wayne
says.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” The ice is still good here. Along the edges it
is open at places. They are now heading to Bear Creek and Flat Lake and
Jennings Point. They have been catching walleyes and northern pike with
only an occasional lake trout.  The river was really chilly but someone
did catch a 17 pound brown in the dredge cuts.”

Lake Elmo Billings
There are geese swimming in the water. A few people are fishing from
the bank.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
“The ice is gone for at least 5 feet from the edge.  You can’t get out
right now. There is open water.  Until it gets cold and the weather
really turns you can’t ice fish. If that happens then they may be able
to fish,”Glenis says.

Deadmans  Tony Stefani
No ice out there. It is completely open. No one has been out.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“Martinsdale is open water.  Some people have caught cutthroat. People
are fishing from shore,” Tony says.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
”There is nothing. Ice is really bad. Ice is way too dangerous. At Achley
there was fishing from the shore but even that is rough to do right now.
There is not anywhere that is okay to be on to fish,” Don 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 is open water now. I don’t recommend heading there
right now. The Yellowstone was fishing good last week.  But, I went
yesterday and got not a thing.  The water was 30 degrees and nothing was
biting. I will not be at Tongue for the weekend selling minnows until the
weather changes for ice fishing.”

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,” There is ice here. We have 10 to 12 inches of ice. I has
been decent conditions. People can fish and should come out to fish.  The
trout fishing has been good. Make sure you call or stop in to find out
about the conditions before going out.” The Marina is open. Hours are 7
am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“I went to Forchette and there was 10 inches of ice.  It was rotten
around shoreline. It was slow fishing.  Found lots of northern pike at
the points in the shallow.  The walleye fishing was slow and the perch
were deep. At Nelson there is 20 to 22 inches of ice. Some guys were
driving on it.  There are some nasty pressure ridges so you have to be
real careful. They are fishing for perch at 30 to 40 feet.  That has
been productive for some nice size perch jigging,“ Jim said.

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

Billings-Scheels Josh
Nate says, ”On the Yellowstone they are catching lings and catfish.  I
heard Yellowtail is open and the guys were jigging.  At Olka Bay they
caught only 4 walleye. Don’t forget to sign up for the Walleye
University with Johnnie Candle to be held on March 21st.  You can call
Scheels to register 656-9220.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
” The rivers are open and are fishing pretty good. They are catching
steelhead on Clearwater river.  The guys caught a 22 pounder,a 24 pounder
and an 18 pounder. Guys who headed to Fort Peck are telling me it is hard
to get on. At Forchette they caught lots of northern pike but only few
walleye.  I also heard Nelson is still good and they are catching
walleye,” Rich says.

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, “Some people are getting out. Few fish being caught. It cold
some so it is again slushy.  Everything depends on the weather right
now.   The ice had cleared out so both of them were wide open now there
is some slush. Try streamers or midge dry fly action depending on the
weather.  Try some wooly bugger action also. The river level is up a
little. It is all about the weather and the cold that is comings”

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,” It has been pretty cold.  Try streamer action. It should
be working better. They are catching a few walleye at the lake. Jigs are
working and trolling is just starting to work.”

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

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