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 picking up this past week. A bunch of northern pike were
caught. For walleye they are going down 18 to 22 feet using worm
harnesses. The bite has been hit and miss. The pike bite has been
aggressive. There have not been a lot caught. We haven’t seen many small
mouth bass only a couple. Try going to 46 to 48 feet or even lower. The
water temp was 54 degrees. We were real busy for the holiday weekend. We
are open 7 to 9 all week and 7to 9 on the weekend ,” Ralyn said.
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob Pederson
Bob says, ”fishing this week was pretty good even with the rain. They
have been catching crappThe lake is up to full pool. The CFS is now 2500.
It does has vegetation and is a little murky on the South end. The other
end is clearer. A fair number of crappies were caught especially in late
evening and early morning. Some bass also were caught. What was
interesting they were catching walleye in shallow water. . Walleye are at
4 to 11 feet down. There is some possible flooding near Sheridan and at
Big and Little Goose”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephannie /Warden Jordan Straley
Wade says,” It was busy this week. It sure rained this weekend. Today I
had a guy come in who did well for walleye. He was using a jig and a
minnow. Guys are catching crappies at 10 feet and they are heading closer
to shore. I saw a 28 inch walleye this week and a 4 ½ inch crappie.”
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
“The walleye are biting west near timber creek, and they have also started
to move into snow creek, so warmer water temps are headed this way! Just
in time for the busy summer season to start. The best way to catch them is
by using a jig and a minnow at this time. Dark colors during muddy water
days, and bright colors during clearer days. As for the northern and the
bass, they can be found just about anywhere and people have been pitching
cranks and spoons for them.,“ Megan says.
Cody reports,” The walleye are a deeper bite at 30 to 40 feet going
towards snow creek and beyond. We had some wind this week. For the
northern pike go 30 to 40 feet but they are not finding a lot. The water
temp has been somewhere between 40 and 50 degrees. Try a blue or purple
jig.”
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” The fishing has been picking up every day. The
water has been warming. It is 48 to 50 degrees. They are catching some
walleye, northern pike, and lake trout pretty much all over. The Lake
trout have gone deeper. Look to the bass to explode pretty soon.”
Lake Elmo Billings
Bob says,” Fishermen are definitely catching trout. The fly fishermen
are getting carp in the weeds. They are fun to catch. They fight well.
We recently stocked some brood stock cut throat. “
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
The lake is up. Some of the rainy weather slowed things down. The catch
was slow this weekend. They are using powerbait, worms, and marshmallows.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” I heard fishing was okay. There were lots of people out. The
weather was rainy. The snakes are still out.”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“ Guys at Martinsdale are catching nice size rainbows from shore. They are
using powerbait, worms and marshmallows. Not hearing about any boat
fishing mostly shore. There is still a lot of action at Broadview Pond.
They still are catching,” Terry said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-819
“We had rain this week so not much fishing going on. The catfish and
sauger have taken off on the Missouri. That is about the only fishing
going on because of the rain,” Dale says.
Crooked Creek-Grant
The number to check if it is open is 1-406-429-2999. Heard they are
catching some crappies.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
Eddie said,” The Yellowstone is higher and muddy. It has slowed down
for catfish. Use minnows and cut bait.
At Olka Bay I heard the small mouth are on fire.
At Crooked Creek by Winnett I was told that guys were catching a ton of
crappies. Some walleye were caught. They did get a pike and a bass as
well.
**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,” It was cloudy and cold earlier in the week. Monday was
nice. Fishing has been getting better. People are catching walleye and
trout on the East side to the middle of the lake. They are finding them
shallow 2 to 20 feet. They are mostly using cranks and bottom bouncers.
The average size is 19 inches. A couple of 6 pound walleye were caught
that I know of.” The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim said, “Nelson Reservoir fishing was good this week. They are
catching walleye and northern pike. People are catching walleye and pike
and small mouth at Forchette. Bone trail has been slow. Try bottom
bouncers and cranks”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Josh says,” Cooney was slow the other night. I didn’t
fish for long. I did talk to a guy who was catching a few walleye and
trout trolling using rappelas.
Deadman’s is slow right now I hear.
On the Musselshell the catfish are being caught. They have been nice ones.
On Tongue the fishing is okay but not hopping. My friend Curt did not
catch walleye but some crappie and bass.
At Yellowtail they are catching lots of smallmouth.
On Nelson you have to really work at it and use lead core. Only a few
walleye and pike caught.
Heard on the Dry Arm at Hell Creek only a couple of bass caught I was told.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
” I went to forchette for a week and came home last Wednesday. I spent 3
day in the tent out of the rain. The other days the wind blew and getting
on the water didn’t happen. One fellow went out and caught only one fish.
On Canyon Ferry they say they are catching. It is picking up some.
The gallatin River is way up and really muddy because of the rain over the
weekend. The other rivers are not as bad yet. It rained most of Memorial
Day weekend”, 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,”The Stillwater is up and off color. I think if you go
higher you might be able to fish but it is iffy. Try a San Quan worm or
a rubber leg, wooly bugger or a yuk bug along the edges.
Stay away from the Yellowstone. It is really fast and off color. It is too
high to try.”
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,” They are raising the cfs (Tuesday) to 3100 and then
Wednesday to 4,000 cfs. It is slow on nymphs right now. Drys are working
well. Water temp has warmed. 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.
