With spring weather here please be aware that it can be unpredictible. 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.
(Compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“We got some snow on Monday. In the first couple of days of this week no
one got anything fishing. The water temperature is really cold. The road
is not too bad coming in today It won’t be long and the marina will be
open but it is not open yet. It is 50 degrees today. We are working on
getting the marina ready. There is water going to the campground now.
That is not drinking water. Only 4 to 5 fish caught since. It is calm
today, no wind,” Linda says.
Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley
Bob says,” One of my guys asked one of the regulars how the fishing was.
The answer was “I heard 9 years ago it was good.” We had a lot of
fishermen here this weekend again. Many were blew off because of the wind.
There was very little action. Occasional fish was caught. One or two fair
size northern pike. A few dedicated fly fishermen were doing good and
catching a few rainbow trout and browns.”
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“Not too much fishing going on. A few guys went to Forchette and caught a
few walleyes. The water is a little warmer there. The northerns being
caught were 4 to 5 pounds. All fishing was slow and the walleye fishing
was slower. A few people have had some off the shore. Lake trout are
biting in the main lake. Not a lot as we have had windy days and lots of
temperature changes,“ Megan says.
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” The fishing has been not bad. No one is going
out because of the wind. A lot of guys have gotten scared off because of
it. It has been cold and crappy weather. If you went out on Saturday the
bite was good for lake trout. They were finding them at Hacksbee Point
using crank bait at 25 to 30 feet. No walleye bite yet, they just caught a
few northern pike.”
Lake Elmo Billings
A lot of fishermen out there. A few fish are being caught so they are
biting.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri/Glenis
Glenis says,” Guys are fishing. They are catching walleye in the
evening using a little dark lure. They are catching rainbow trout
better in the early morning. There are no docks in yet. That may happen
on the 14th. The buoys are going out Thursday.”
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” We got 3 inches of snow. They are catching salmon with worms.
If you pick your days you can find some fish.”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“Has been slow fishing. We got snow and some strong winds. I heard
people went out but they did not come back to brag. Fishing has been best
from the shore I hear,” Gary says.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
”We got 8 inches of snow yesterday. The streams have been muddy. The
Missouri has had fair fishing. They are catching some walleye,” Dale
says.
Crooked Creek-Grant
The number to check if it is open is 1-406-429-2999. Word has it is slow
fishing.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
Eddie says, “The Yellowstone from Huntley east is fishing well for
catfish, small mouth bass and ling. The cats have been 4 to 12 pounds and
the sauger 3 to 4 pounds. Only an occasional ling caught. From Hysham
east they are catching walleye and sauger. They are catching at Tongue
but its slow. Mostly small and large mouth bass and a few crappies. At
Castle Rock Lake guys are catching bass and a few pike.”
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 is decent. FWP has been netting. It has been cold
but the boats have been out. They are catching walleye on the east side.
You can catch trout all over right now. Everyone aught to come out and
give it a try. Still catching walleye , trout and some ling.” The Marina
is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “Fishing is slow right now. It is pretty slow at Nelson as
well. Weather slows things,“ Jim said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels
Josh says,” I hear at Tongue they are catching crappies,
bass and someone got a 6 pound perch. The wind has overturned the lake.
Cooney is slow fishing. They have had snow, rain and wind. The water
temperature was 44 degrees on Sunday. On the Dry Arm one guy caught 30
walleyes, a few pike and crappies. One fellow went fly fishing at Canyon
Ferry and did not do too bad. He caught some nice rainbow trout.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
”Weather has been pretty bad. We had snow and some bad fog this week.
People say Canyon Ferry is lousy fishing mostly because of weather. They
has stormy weather and some rain and even some sun. One fisherman got a 15
, 11 and 13 pounder so there are some success happening,” 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, “Fishing is not too bad. Blue wings are working. Try the
parachute or purple haze as they are working. The Yellowstone is a
little off color. It seemed to have cleared more in the last day. Use
streamers right now. You will catch some pre spawn rainbows. It is
mostly Nymph fishing on the Stillwater. Use copper Johns and night
midges. The water clarity is good. Use blue wing olives on the
Stillwater,”
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
Rick explains,” Fishing is really good. Nymph fishing is really good. I
some really good success. Try orange scuds, gray rays, zebra midges and
red bead midges. They are working well. The water level is 3400 cfs right
now. It has been good fishing. For dry flies try baetes or CDC baetes.
Also the “student”. Use streamers of wooly buggers in black and gray. The
water is looking real good. It is clear with no moss right now. They are
catching a few walleye at the lake.”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
