With warm weather is 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
“We have had a week with good fishing. Just today a lady staying here
caught a 29 inch 7 pound 3 ounce walleye off the dock. A real nice fish.
It turned on this week.  Everything equals out eventually.  I have heard
of a half a dozen 30 inchers.  Most are 17 to 20 inches.  The fishing is
good. They are finding them 20 to 25 feet deep. The water temperature is
74 degrees.  They are using worms and leeches.  One guy even caught one
walleye on a crank bait. The bass seem to like the colors orange, purple
and brass color. One guy caught 14 on Sunday going South.  The rest of the
fishermen have headed North and done well.  The catfish also are starting.
Some are catching 20 to 25 inchers with minnows off the dock as well.
The fishing for the cure fishing event is this weekend.  If you are
interested in the event call Lynette at 406-599-8092 for information.
We are open 7 to 9 all week and 7 to 9 on the weekend.

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob Pederson
Fishing has been slower depending on what you are catching.  They are
catching some pike.  Walleye yu have to work at the bite.
Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephannie /Warden Jordan Straley

Wade says,” Fishing is doing well. I saw a real nice northern pike that a
lady caught on a crank that was 15 pounds.  The bass have been excellent
in the shallows with structures.  They are 1 ½ to 4 ½ pounds.  The crappie
seem to be an evening bite using top water bait and are hit or miss. The
walleyes that are caught are nice.  They are not limiting out. Most are 3
to 7 pounds. They are using a bottom bouncer trolling with a jig. Those
fish are just harder to find, you work for them.”

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
“Fishing is decent especially toward Crooked Creek. The walleye and
northern pike have been in 8 to 20 feet depths.  The lake is turning over
and that makes fishing a little tougher because of that“, Cody says.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” The weather has been beautiful.  We have had no
wind. The Salmon fishermen are limiting out by 10 am. Go deep like 75 to
95 feet deep.  The best spot is at the dam.  Lots of fishermen out there.
I would say this is the best fishing since 1996 and 1997.  They are using
flashers and squids. The lake trout are doing good too.  The walleye
fishing is good in the evenings.  They are a mixed bag in size.”

Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Bob says, “fishing has not slowed. They are still catching.  Fishing in
the morning and evening seemed to be best. I heard that the Big Horn is
working with using the big ugly hoppers. Those are catching fish.”

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
I have been told walleye fishing has picked up. It seems to be better
in the evening after dark. Try bright neon lures and pink power bait.
“We are in stage 1 fire restrictions but you can use the campfire
designated fire rings.”

Deadmans  Tony Stefani

Slower fishing this week. Not as many people even trying because of wind.
Martinsdale and other spots don’t have many people out.  Remind campers
about our change to a pay site.  There are 22 sites at Deadmans.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“ We have had a lot of wind which means not a lot of fishing happening
this week. I have been told you need to fish early morning or late in the
evening. One fisherman I talked to camped at Basin and left because there
was just way too much wind to get out fishing. They left early.”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
“Our nights have been cold in the lower 40’s so start bringing your snow
shovel. Actually we had rain this week.  Spring Creek is doing well
fishing. The fish are taking on hoppers.

On our west end at Crooked Creek, Forchette, and Devils Creek people are
doing good.  You will catch walleye and black crappie at 8 to 15 feet.
Bass have been good fishing in the rock piles.  For northern pike they are
everywhere.

Achley is fishing pretty well.  Go to 8 to 12 feet.
On the Missouri channel cats are biting. Use cut bait or crawlers. It is
a little mossy but if you find the holes or a back island you do pretty
well,” Dale said.

Crooked Creek-Grant
Crooked Creek marina is now open Friday, Sat and Sunday.  Word has it
that he fish are biting well at Crooked Creek. Walleye are being caught.
The store is open and they have night crawlers and other supplies. The
campground is open. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Minnow Bucket-Eddie White  696-1281

Catfish fishing on the Yellowstone has been decent. The catfish caught
were 4 to 10 pounds.   It is best in the evening. Use cut bait,
minnows and blood shrimp.

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

“A good number of perch are being caught.  They are catching walleye in
numbers but they are eater size. They are catching 14 to 16 “walleye, not
a lot of big ones, mostly eater size. They are catching plenty of trout.”
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611

Jim said, “At Nelson water is lower. Fishing is the same. Access is
being limited.  Head to the North shore for boat access.  Walleye bite
is decent with a bottom bouncer at 10 to 35 feet depths. Forchette has
been good using bottom bouncer with worm harnesses.  The big northern
are fishing up.
Forchette was good fishing using a bottom bouncer and a jig with a leech.”

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

Billings-Scheels
Josh says,” At Cooney people are still catching some trout and walleye
fishing. It is a morning and evening bite.
At Hell Creek fishing I hear has been decent. Heard they were catching a
few bass and walleye.

Tongue fishing has been okay. They are catching northern pike and small
mouth.  The crappie bite is not the best they are saying. For bass try
using top water tube bait.

On the Boulder I did well on hoppers especially parachute Adams. The fish
were biting the two days I went.

Yellowtail Olka has been good for smallmouth I heard. They are doing
fairly well. Use jigs and hoppers.  Still no word of any walleye being
caught at Barry’s.

I have been told Canyon Ferry is fishing fairly well for trout and walleye.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
“I heard at Canyon Ferry fishing they are catching a few walleye. Lots of
small ones. The walleye are deeper.  Use bottom bouncers and crawlers.

The rivers are low and definitely mossy and weedy which makes it harder
for fly fishing and spin fishing is really tough. The Gallatin looks the
lowest.” 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
“It rained all day.  The guys started with rain gear right off the bat
this morning and are still wearing them now (4:30 pm) It has helped
cool the water.  The cfs was 1,000 and now it is 600 cfs. I think it
might help raise the level a little.  The river has cleared. On the
Yellowstone yesterday (Monday) fishing is good. You can try the chubby
Chernobyl, a Fat Frank in purple.  One fellow surprisingly was having
success with a size 18 bead head with a brassy red color.  He used it
as a dropper, “said Bill.
“
We now are in summer 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 666-2375
Stephanie says,” The cfs is still staying steady at (Tuesday) 2500. The
water is pretty mossy so you have to get past the moss and weeds to get to
the water. There is more  down below. Fishing is a mixed bag. Use size 14
to 16.  For dries use pseudos, tricos or black caddis tackle.  The dry
flies are working better in the morning. The water has been warm at 64
degrees.”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.