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
“The storm changed things. The water temp was 52 before the storm. It is
colder now. With the cold not many fishermen out. The few that were out
caught a few small walleye. Someone caught a 9 inch small mouth in the
bay. They are catching a few northern pike using jigs and minnows or
cranks. All we need is not to have 30 degrees in the morning and things
will pick up. 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
Bob says, ”It was slow fishing this week with the cold. The water temp is
56 degrees.They have been catching crappie and bass in shallow water.
Walleye are at 4 to 11 feet down. Fish at the structures. Even the the
main campsites are booked we still have 81 camp sites that are first come
first serve. We do have full services and the marina is open as is the
cleaning station for the season.”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton /Warden Jordan Straley
Wade says,” It has been busy this week.Guys are catching crappies. One
group just came back for more worms just now. They are fishing from a boat
going anywhere from 15 to 30 feet jigging. They are just not finding them
at the shore. This week mostly crappie and walleye”
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
“Guys are going west for walleye. Try jigging with a minnow. Some
fishermen are catching northern pike and bass in the bay. They are using
cranks in the shallows when the sun is out. When it is cloudy a jig and a
minnow are working. On Sunday it was dry and they graded the road,“ Lane
says.
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” We had a really hard frost that was on
everything. The wind was also blowing. The water is just still real
cold. They are catching some walleye, northern pike, bass and lake trout
if they are willing to be cold. The pike are by small rocks and at the
face of the dam. Lake trout are still decent fishing. Walleye are slow.”
Lake Elmo Billings
Less fishermen have been out because of the wind and cold. If they did
go a few trout were caught. They are using worms and corn. With the
Aquatic Education kids being at Elmo on Tuesday there were a lot of
shore fishermen. They may not have caught fish but they did catch trees
and others lines. They still have Wednesday to 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 show up at 8 am for a day of pure enjoyment. It is wonderful to
see how the program works.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
The lake is up. The cold slowed things but they are catching a few
walleye. The weather slowed things down for sure. They are using
powerbait, worms, and marshmallows.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” There was hardly anyone here this week. The weather was rainy
and muddy. That makes it hard to get to the lake. If we have a couple of
days of wind and sun things will be better for people.”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“It was a wet week. I have not heard of guys heading to Martinsdale or
Deadmans. I am hearing they are catching 2 to 4 pound rainbow trout at
Broadview pond,” Terry said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-819
Paddlefish is done as of Tuesday. It is done. “We had cold and rain
this week. The catfish has been off this week. The rivers are up. Spring
Creek is off color.The cfs is at 9700 and not too long ago it was 6000 so
it is 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,” About the only place to fish is on the Yellowstone for
catfish. Use minnows. We went out and we got 18 but it took the day.
The Minnow Bucket is having a family fishing day at Riverfront Park, May
30th. Just bring your pole. We supply the bait, tackle and lunch. It
should be a good day. ”
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,” The weather sucked this week. It has been cold and
miserable. Trout fishing still is going on. The weather will improve.”
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Mindy says, “Nelson Reservoir fishing is good. They are going 8 to 25
feet with bottom bouncers and a worm harness. They are catching mostly
walleye. Some guys are getting a few fish on a crank bait which is
surprising. We went to Forchette and went all day and kept nine. It was
cold fishing.”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Josh says,” They are picking up walleye at Cooney. The
catch is off and on. Some people going to Crooked Creek .The Memorial Day
weekend things will pick up as it warms up. Try jigging with a harness.
This week they were actually fish at 15 to 17 feet.
At Yellowtail they are catching bass and crappie this week. Go shallow.
They’re catching clear up to the slide. Water temperature was 49 to 50
degrees.
At Martinsdale they are catching trout from a boat with success. They were
catching trout from a boat trolling with a cowbell.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
” Cold weather slowed things down. The rivers were seeing lots of fly
hatches before the cold. The rivers are muddy.” 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 cold weather the Stillwater has more clarity. The
water is colder. Try using march browns and caddis hatches. The
Yellowstone is shot. It is really off color. The tributaries are pretty
dirty and off color. So fishing has slowed way 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 666-237
Stephanie says,” Fishing is okay. The cfs is still at 2200.Water temp has
warmed. It is at 39 to 40 degrees. The water is murky. Use some
streamers. Try midges or baetis for best results. Use PDC and the
student. Try an Adams, gray raps, tongue teasers size 20 and gray rays at
#16.” Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
