With spring 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. 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
“Fishing had a slow start this week. Last couple of days it has picked up.
The weekend was way too windy and rather cold. The water temp has been 40
degrees or less. The docks are all in. The marina opens this Friday, on
May 1, So we will be first service then,” Linda says.
Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley
Bob says,” The bass tournament was held last weekend. Saturday was windy
and cloudy. Some bass were caught in the couple pound class. Sunday was
cold and rainy, with the wind blowing. There were a few northern pike
caught this week in the 13 to 14 pounds. Haven’t seen any big crappies.
The courtesy docks are in and the water is slowly coming up. The fish seem
to be in the shallows I hear. You just have to wait for the water to warm
up.”
Stephanie and Wade Bastrom now run the Tongue river Marina. Stephanie
said,” The Marina schedule is tentative during the month of May. We will
not be there Monday or Tuesdays
On Friday we hope to be open 9 to 3 pm depending on the weather in May.
On Saturday we will open at 8 and close at 6pm. We will have minnows,
leaches and night crawlers. We are still getting things set up.”
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“Walleye are starting to pick up. You can get walleye using a jig and a
minnow. The northern pike are picking up. You can find them shallow at
the head of the bays. Try spoons and cranks. People are finding a few
small mouth and walleye also,“ Lane says.
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” Lake Trout are being found at 25 feet. They
are hitting deep. Crank baits are working. Don’t try down riggers. Guys
are heading to Hacksbee and Bear Creek right on the point and finding lake
trout. Also a few caught at the face of the dam. There seem to be northern
pike caught everywhere. I also heard that they are catching walleye and
sauger from Nashua to Wolfpoint wherever you can get in.”
Lake Elmo Billings
Bob said,” Fishing has been good. They seem to be catching some of the
catchable size rainbows. They are catching some cutthroat as well.
They seem to be catching a few sunfish off the docks. As the water
warms up the fishing will improve.”
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
Bob says,” We had a couple days of snow and that slowed fishing down.
After that it seemed to be that fishing picked up. There has been more
people trying fishing during the day and catching a few. People are
saying they are catching a few here and a few there with no pattern.
Some are catching a few walleye at night The water has come up about 2
feet this week.”
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, ” They rainbow trout are spawning. Fishing has been good.The
water is full and calm. I can tell you watch out for snakes! They are out.
That seems early to me but they are out there. The guys are fishing off
shore not many boats out there. They seem to be using powerbait and
worms”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
I have heard guys are heading to Martinsdale. Guys said it was hot from
shore. Fly fishermen are finding fishing good for them. They seem to be
catching,” Gary says.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-819
“The Missouri river from the PN they are catching walleyes, sauger and
some catfish. Everyone is waiting for paddlefish to open which is May
1st. The creeks are blown out, they have really slowed way up,” Dale
says.
Crooked Creek-Grant
The number to check if it is open is 1-406-429-2999.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
Eddie said,”I was at Tongue for the bass tournament this past weekend.
The weather really sucked. On Sunday we fished 8 to 9 hours and caught
some small mouth, large mouth and northern pike. The crappie are just
starting . We saw one group that was doing really well on crappies in
the really cold, windy weather on Sunday. On the Yellowstone you can
get some nice catfish using minnows. The water is muddy so no one is
going to catch anything else unless they hit the fish in the face. At
Castle Rock Lake guys have been catching bluegills and northern pike.”
We are now in summer hours. We are closed Monday. On Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday we are open 11 to 5, Friday 11 to 7, Saturday 7
to 7 and Sunday 7 to 5pm.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon says,” Actually, I am hearing fishing has just improved today,
Tuesday. They seem to be consistently getting 7 to 8 walleye a piece
today. They are using bottom bouncer or a jig and they are working.
The water has warmed up from 47 to 55 degrees.” The Marina is open. Hours
are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “As the water warms up the fish will become more active. It
has been 48 degrees and they will start catching when it’s around 54
degrees. The spawn is done. The post spawn bite is just starting. On the
Missouri River paddlefish will be starting and guys will be using
cranks,”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Josh says,” I was at Tongue for the bass tournament. On
Thursday. The water was 55 degrees and fishing was really good. We caught
small mouth and it was great fishing. On Saturday the water temp was down
to 49 degrees. Lots of wind. Couldn’t catch a big one. Just not good
weather. Sunday was cold and rainy. It was brutal fishing. The water
temp just dropped more and the fish just plain stopped. We came out in
4th place with a 14 inch bass.”
“On Nelson Creek on the dry arm I hear they are catching catfish and
pike. At Crooked Creek. I hear they are catching some decent pike. Also
heard at Yellowtail guys have caught a couple fish. Not a lot, but a
few.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
” The weather was not great this week. We had rain. Dan Spence was
visiting Rich and he had just come from Canyon Ferry. He caught 2 20inch
walleye. He said things have picked up. The water temp was 52 degrees.
Rich said he heard at Holter they are catching perch and walleye. Trout
fishing has been phenomenal. On the rivers the trout are starting to bite.
The water on the Gallatin and Jefferson is a little cloudy, I would say,”
Rich said.
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
Bill says, “On the Stillwater try March browns. There is a caddis hatch
going on. Nymphs are working best on the bottom. The Stillwater is
clear. If you can get a streamer on the bottom. They are not biting on
the surface. On the Yellowstone the water is cloudy. It will be a day
or so I think before it clears a bit as there has been rain at the park.
You can fish from the shore with worms it is just not good for
floating.”
We now are in spring 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
Hale says,” fishing is outstanding. Dry fly fishing is real good. Use
mayflies or baetis for best results. The cfs is at 22190. It is clear
water. At the lake they are catching an occasional walleye.” Our shop
hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
