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 was good this week.  Lots of walleye caught some big. I saw 2
dozen in the 9 to 10 pound range. Lots of little ones as well. They are
catching a few northern pike using jigs and minnows or cranks. They are
going south of Rock Creek.  I hear they are finding a few northern pike
anywhere from 5 to 20 feet down.  Water temp at Nelson is around 58
degrees and at Rock Creek 48 degrees. I had a friend who came up to visit.
I had to convince him to try fishing.  He caught his first walleye a 32
incher and 10 pounds. His first walleye! We had 5 to 6 days with no wind.
The marina is open. We are open 7 to 9 all week and 7to 9 on the weekend
,” Bill said.

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob Pederson
Ed says,”I heard the fishing is good. They are getting some. We put some
of the docks in the other day.  The water is warming up. We only got a ½
inch of moisture this past week.  The cleaning station is now open, we
started it up 30 minutes ago for the season.”

Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Colton /Warden Jordan Straley
Wade says,” Guys are catching crappies. One group just came back for more
worms just now. They are not fishing from shore but out in a boat going
anywhere from 15 to 30 feet jigging.  They are catching northern pike but
lots of bass many around 5 ½ pounders. Water is 60 degrees.  Herb Walk
caught a 12.6 pound walleye. They are finding them  8 to 15 feet using a
minnows.”

Stephanie and Wade Bastrom now run the Tongue river Marina.  The Marina
schedule is Monday to Thursday 8 to 6 pm, On Friday and Saturday 7 to 9 pm
and Sunday, 7 to 6 pm. We will have minnows, leaches and night crawlers.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345  Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“Fishermen are going toward Timber Creek for walleye in the morning going
shallow, 5 to 10 feet. In the evening they are finding them at 15 to 20
feet using a worm or minnow jigging. Some are catching bass and northern
pike in the bay. They are pitching spoons and cranks. It seems if you
don’t get anything you need to keep moving and try again.  They are going
15 to 20 feet and also close to shore.  It has not been a hot bite.
Kiblers  went out and said it was not a hot bite.  It took them all day
but they got their limit. They said it was decent fishing. It is slowly
starting to pick up.  “Megan says.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” The water is just still real cold like 43
degrees. They are still catching some northern pike. Lake trout are still
good fishing. Walleye are not real good fishing on this end. I have heard
a good report on fishing on the dry arm The Missouri River is clear and
they are catching nice trout, big browns, 15 to 24 pounds.”

Lake Elmo Billings
”Lots of lots of fishermen have been out.  They are definitely catching
trout. There are more people fishing off the pier or out early in the
morning and in the evening.  I think that is because of the people’s
availability to get out and fish. They are using worms and corn.” The
Aquatic Education kids who have been learning about Montana’s waters
and fish will be at Elmo Tuesday through Thursday.  We can always use
hands to help these 5th graders to show them how to cast or tie knots
or teach them tricks of fishing on the water.  There will be over 700
kids   separated during those 3 days.  If you can help just one day
call Bob or show up at 8 am for the day. It is a great program to see
how it works.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
“The lake has come up.  We had snow this weekend and a couple days
before. That slowed things down for sure. They are using worms,
marshmallows and powerbait,” Glenis said.

Deadmans  Tony Stefani
Tony says,” Not many people out this week.  The weather has been cool and
gloomy.  Even people who tried fishing from shore found it too cold to get
anything or to be out there.”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“Fishing has been on the light side. I have heard a few guys heading to
Martinsdale and Deadmans. If guys tried it was too cold and weather has
something to do with poor fishing. I haven’t talked to anyone but I see
lots of fishing   activity at Broadview pond. More traffic early in the
morning and in the afternoon,” Terry said.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-819
“We got about 2 inches of rain this week. Paddlefish as of Tuesday they
had caught 395. It has slowed down some. They have been catching catfish
and drums. Forchette Bay and Crooked Creek is fishing stronger for
walleye.  Spring Creek is off color but fishing has been okay.  At Achley
fly fishermen have had success from shore.  Boat fishermen are going deep
some finding them 10 to 15 feet,” Dale says.

Crooked Creek-Grant
The number to check if it is open is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon says,” It has been cold and miserable many days this week.  The
water temp has been around 60 degrees.  We have seen a nice walleye 21
inches.  Trout fishing is really fine. The water is up about 9 feet.” The
Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Mindy says, “Nelson Reservoir fishermen are catching walleye and
northern pike.  Going as deep as 12 feet.  Forchette is still good for
walleye.  Some are using worm harnesses. Jim likes using smiley blades.
On the river they are fishing for paddlefish. They have not hit the
limit yet.”

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

Billings-Scheels

Josh says,” I have been told Cooney did not fish well
this week.  Some people going to Crooked Creek .  They did not do good.
Caught a few from shore.  A few northern and walleye.  Just not very good.
I was told at  Tongue a few walleye caught. Slow bite.  On Yellowtail by
Olka Bay they are catching small mouth and a few bass this week. At
Barry’s Landing it is pretty dirty.  .”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
” At Lake Helena guys are doing fairly well.  The rivers are seeing lots
of fly hatches. The river hasn’t come up much.  It is clear. I have heard
Canyon Ferry was not great this week.  It is already better fishing than
last year at this time.  Guys are getting 5 to 7 fish worth fishing for
the day,  Of course they are catching little ones and throwing them back,”
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
Chris says,“ With the cooler weather the Stillwater clarity has
improved. We are seeing march browns and caddis hatches. The Yellowstone
clarity has gotten better. There is still a little color.  Fishing has
slowed down.”

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
Stephanie says,” Fishing is good. The cfs is at 2200.Water temp is 28 to
39 degrees.  Use some streamers.  Try midges or baetis for best results.
You can use CDC baetes and the midge student.  The clarity is clear high.
It is murky below 13 mile.” Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to
Sunday.

(Feature photo via venturingangler.com)