Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 9.21.15
By angelamontana

Posted: September 24, 2015

With fall weather starting 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 conditions such 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 Pikemasters Club were here this past weekend.   The northern pike
seems to be picking up. They found them 10 to 15 feet deep using a crank
bait.  The bigger the better.  The colors that are working seem to be
orange or white right now.  Not a walleye was caught that I heard of
fishing.
When I headed to Fort Peck dam yesterday I only saw one boat fishing. I
heard the  salmon fishing has really slowed,” Bill said.

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Fishing seems to have picked up according to those using the cleaning
station.  They are catching a fair number of crappies.  Mostly ones in
the 12 inch size.  Some nice bass both large and small mouth are being
caught.
Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephannie /Warden Jordan Straley

“Our hours have changed. Until Oct. 1st we will be open Thursday to
SundayThursday is 8-6pm, Friday and Saturday 8 am to 9 pm and Sunday 8
am -6 pm.  We hope to open late December or early January when the ice is
on Saturday and Sunday for ice fishing. We do have minnows right now.

“Northern pike have been doing well.  On Sunday I saw several 13 pound
pike that were caught. With fishing this week they have been doing well
also on crappie and bass. Try a worm for success. Actually they have
been on fire this week. We have not seen many walleye being caught this
week, “Wade said.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345  Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“Today is windy again.  If you are a fisherman you are catching average
size fish.  We are not seeing many big ones.  They are heading toward
Crooked Creek and Timber Creek. At Crooked Creek  they seem to be getting
more northern pike and bass.  Walleye fishing has been slower.  If they
are catching they are using tube jigs and pulling through the weeds at
depths of 8 to 20 feet deep. You do have to hunt in the weeds for them.
The water is down 3 feet,” Wade said.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
I heard from two different people that the salmon have slowed way down and
so they have not been catching many of them.  Lake trout are still being
caught.

Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Bob said, “ It has been slower fishing on Elmo. We are having less
fishermen because of school and hunting starting, I think.  I have seen
a few trout being caught.”

Big Horn
“I fished the Big horn this week. Fishing was good. We found an early
tricot bite using a dry fly.  It started early and just quit at 10:00
am like clockwork.  After that we did nymph fishing.  There was lots of
moss and widgeon grass which made it tougher fishing,” Bob Gibson
explained.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
Jennifer said.” Just this am I spoke to someone who caught a few trout.
They had headed to the North shore toward the dam.  They also were going
across from Red Lodge Creek. Worms and marshmallows have worked.   The
water has dropped but it is still good and still above average.”  Cooney
is still in stage 1 fire restrictions.

Deadmans  Tony Stefani
“Fishermen, the few that were out there caught a few fish. Usually one or
two, not a big amount. They are still catching salmon but not many,” Tony
said. They are using marshmallows and worms.” Remember campers about our
change to a pay site.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“I am hearing fishing has picked up at Deadmans. They are fishing mostly
from shore. They are still using powerbait and worms.  I have not heard
anything about Martinsdale.”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale said, “ Fishing on the lake going west is terrible right now. You can
still use the ramp at Crooked Creek although the water is low.  At Fort
Peck Crooked Creek and Forchette the bite is soft and you have to go deep
to 25 to 35 feet to find anything. The walleye and northern pike are real
spotty.
On Spring Creek they are doing well using nymphs and some streamers. There
is still some moss.
On the Missouri from the PN down they are catching a few more sauger and
walleye. Actually they are catching more drums right now, lots of drums,
Not as many cats are being caught.  That seems to have slowed.
The lake really has nothing happening right now.
Achley has really slowed up.

Crooked Creek-Grant
Crooked Creek marina is now open Friday, Sat and Sunday.  Word has it
that the water has lowered but you can use the dock.  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
Eddie reports, “Due to a family funeral we will be closed the 22nd, 23rd
and 24th of September.  Sorry for the inconvienence. Catfish on the
Yellowstone are doing well. Lots of moss on the water. From Huntley East
fish the edges for success.  The bass fishing is excellent.”

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
“Fishermen are finding the fishing the same as it has been.   Lots of
eaters 14 to 16 inches are being caught. The water is warmish.  They are
heading east more north to Goose Bay and White Earth. Trout fishing is
still good. Most are using crankbaits and bottom bouncers,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

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

Don said, “Nelson fishing is still steady. Minnows are starting to work.
You can still use bottom bouncers with worms.
Forchette is slower.  It is harder to fish right now.”

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

Billings-Scheels
Josh says,”The bass are doing well at Hell Creek.
On the Yellowstone fishing is fair I hear. Head to the Hysham area  for
small mouth bass, catfish and sauger.  You can also catch some nice
walleye.
At Barry’s Olka Bay it is clear water but then from Barry’s to Horse shoe
it is murkier.
The Yellowstone from Columbus up is good fishing. Use hoppers and
streamers.  The clarity is good which makes it best for streamers.
The Tongue is fishing well for bass.

On Cooney I hear it is low. The water has turned over and is starting
to clear. They are catching some walleye more at night.  Try cranks 30
to 40 feet deep. You can use cowbell for trout and have success.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
I went to Fort Peck fishing last week.  Had 3 days of glass water and good
weather. Nothing seemed to be biting.   We threw everything in our tackle
box and none of it worked. We did catch a few walleye, northern pike and
bass.  Not much size in any.  The walleye were really few and we never
marked any going to 60 feet deep. We were at Bone Trail. We heard they
were getting fish going East of course because we were West. Last time we
went East when we were there and they were biting going West.  We can’t
win. There seemed to be a huge number of schooled bait fish so they don’t
need to eat a piece of metal we offered.

They are still catching little walleye at Canyon Ferry fishing. Lots of
nice trout being caught 3 to 4 pounds.

The rivers are coming up with the rain and less irrigation. They are
definitely weedy which makes it harder for fly fishing. Use hoppers on the
water or bead headed nymphs. They say it is better at the top of the dam.
I heard the Jefferson is good right now. You can also use spinners with a
crawler and have some success as well.

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
Bill says, “ The weather has been good.  On the Stillwater the water is
low.  It is a tough float and not good at all.   Use a hopper with a
dropper with nymphs.   On the Yellowstone hoppers are a strong bite..
Use colors of peach and  purple.”

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 close to the same. It is pretty good.  It is
good tricot fishing.  Use a size 22  spinner in black and white.  Tricos
are working in the early part of the day 6 to 10 am. Nymphs are working.
There is grass in the water so hoppers are not working.”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.

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