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.

(Compiled by Carol Henckel)

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“The ice is pretty good. There is 12 inches in the bay. We had a couple of
days of rain. There is some slush in places. A few people have been out
and caught a few northern pike, lake trout and only a few walleye. I think
the ice changes because of the water rising and that changes the ice
conditions more than anything,” Neil 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,” things have slowed down.  The number of people here is way
down.  There are places in the big water where it is open. Especially in
the middle of the bay.  The surface of the close ice has water on it.  I
expect it will keep decreasing at this point.  I want people to approach
fishing here with strong caution. Use caution when deciding to come.”

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345  Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Jean says, “ We are seeing much catching.  With the artic blast and high
temps through the weekend things are changing.  The ice in the bay is
good. We did have open water right on the edge, 12 to 14 inch but last
night it refroze again. Conditions can change with weather changes.“

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” The weather is changing. It was warm yesterday
but cooler today.  There is 5 to 15 inches of ice depending on where you
are.  In the dredge cuts they are catching northern pike with smelt and
minnows. They are catching a few fish in the river using boats. ”

Lake Elmo Billings
“There is some open water out 6 foot around the edge in places. You can
go fishing but not ice fishing. I suspect soon it will be all open,
“Bob said.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
“The warm weather has taken their toll. There is 5 feet of open water
and there are large cracks in the ice,” Jennifer says.

Deadmans  Tony Stefani
“No one has come out this week. More than half of Deadmans is open water.
The ice is almost gone.  You could fish regularly,” Tony says.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“Have not heard of anyone going to Deadmans.  On Martinsdale I have heard
there have been some cutthroats have been caught.  They are using worms.
The ice is off Martinsdale,” Gary says.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
”The ice is all gone. It is truly dangerous if there is any. Nelson was
terrible fishing this week I heard.  I think we will have open water
everywhere pretty soon,” 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, “I was at Tongue for four days earlier this week.  At that
time there was 12 inches. There was water on the ice as the day
progresses and in the morning it had froze again. We really did great. We
got northern pike, and lots of crappie, lots of them  under 2 pounds but
no walleye. It could have changed since so use caution.   The Yellowstone
has ling biting. They are biting and the fishing is excellent.  At fort
Peck those people at the marina are saying the ice is good but I have
heard from several fishermen that it is not good. I will not be at Tongue
for the weekend selling minnows until the weather changes for ice
fishing.”

“I will not be at Tongue every Saturday with minnows as the weather has
changed,” 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,”There is ice. The shore is mushy.  The pressure ridges are
mving and changing.  Make sure you call or stop in to find out  about
them before going out.” The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“Nelson still has 20 to 22 inches as of Monday. It has really slowed
down. One morning it is good and the afternoon is dead. Forchette has 8
inches of ice.  Some have caught walleye and northerns,“said Jim.

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

Billings-Scheels Josh
Matt says, ”The Big Horn is good fishing. You can catch trout using
Husky jerks.  Try the upper 16 miles. Be careful of the ice on the
lakes. I am hearing of off color water. The Yellowstone is open and the
sauger  are starting. There are some ling being caught going deep with
a jig.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
Rich says,” I know of a group that went to Canyon Ferry and did well on
perch north of the Silos. They said the ice is getting rough in places.
Some of it was trying to honeycomb. You have got to be careful. People pn
the rivers are getting rainbow trout”

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 going out. The ice has cleared out. There
is nymph fishing. Try the standard ones  like the Prince. Try some
midges as well. You could try a few streamers, like black and olive
wooly buggers.  The river is accessible, open and the level is slightly
above normal for this time of year.”

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 good. The upper 13 is good. I would say it is
the best. It is very spotty for dry fly fishing. Midge fishing is better
this week. ”

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