COMPILED BY Carol Henckel
With winter starting be aware that it can be very
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.
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Bill said, “The ice has started forming on the back bay. It is not enough
yet. The main bay does not have any forming yet. I thought maybe the
calm day today might cause it to form. It did not happen. I suspect the
low temperatures will make some.So no one is fishing.
“The Marina is closed now. The cabins
and campground will be open for a while. We will have some fuel and ice
if I am here, “Bill said.
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Bob says, ”We have a fair number of fishermen this week. The fishermen
are able to walk out farther now. Sand point has firmed up
with a ice. Going north is still pretty hazardous. They are fishing on the
edge easily. The campground at Campers Point 1 to 8 is still open
and has electricity and will have it until April 15th for fishermen. ”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“Fishing has been pretty good. I went out yesterday and got 3 walleye and
a couple of crappies. The walleye were 2 pounds. the Sand Point area has 8
to 10 inches and going north it is barely 5 inches.
I am open for fishermen now. I do have minnows.Our hours will be 6 am
to 1 pm Friday and Saturday. On Sunday I will open at 6 am but not sure my
closing time. I have beer, pop, minnows, tackle and soup,” Wade said.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Others have said the ice not forming yet. A week ago the little ice they
had was gone so it has to form again.
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Staff says, “We have no ice. We have had yucky weather . No one has
wanted to go out. The temperature is 28 degrees right now. You can get
on the water with a boat. Lake Trout can be caught. The bite is okay.
Northern pike are also okay fishing. Walleye fishing has been slow. We
have only 1-2 inches snow right now.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Bob said,” Elmo has froze over. It has snow on it.There are guys out
there fishing right now. Some have ice shacks out there. I figure they
are probably using corn and marshmallows but I don’t know if they are
catching.”
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
” Ice has formed on the lake and there is 4 inches as of Tuesday. So
people are fishing,” staff said. All the docks are out.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
“We got some snow. Deadmans is iced up. There were 6 people on the ice
fishing this past weekend . The ice is open to the north a bit. They are
catching salmon. I see 3 huts on right now,”Tony’s wife said. Campers
remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Staff said,” I heard the ice has iced up at Deadmans and Martinsdale is
iced up but not really thick enough to get on safely. There is ice to the
shore but not enough to get on. It is starting to build up.We only have 2
inches of snow. ”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie said, “The ponds are froze good. On the East Fork they are ice
fishing using maggots and jigging. They are catching some nice perch. On
Crooked Creek they are doing real well. Lots of northern being caught.
There is 10 inches of ice. There were some 24 to 26 inch walleye caught.
On Spring Creek there is too much snow. You can’t even get to the banks
right now. One Hanson Creek they are catching fish. Maggots are working
as well as meal worms.”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Crooked Creek marina please Call for information on it being open. The
pier has been pulled. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
Guys are fishing on Tongue and catching fish. Minnow Bucket has been
selling minnows at Tongue.
We are now in winter hours. Serving by appointment only Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“We have no ice. We have only a skiff. there has been a few stupid
people trying to get on but it is not safe. The weather temperature is
20 degrees. It just is a waiting game. Call the store for conditions.
We do have maggots,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“This week Nelson has had 7 inch plus of ice. Fishing has been awesome.
They are catching northern spearing and catching walleye with tip ups.
has yet to freeze over as far as I know, “Jim says.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” I heard from people mixed reports on Tongue fishing.
Some people are coming in saying they are having good results and then
others say it was not good fishing. I have heard they found 5 inches of
ice. Guys are fishing with minnows either the head or just the tail. A
Lindy flyer spoon is also working. It seems to be the brighter colors.
I heard Crooked Creek by Winnett has 6 to 7 inches of ice.
Floating the Big Horn is still good. Jigging is working. Everyone is just
waiting for Fort Peck to freeze over but it is not happening. ”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
“I have not heard anything on Canyon Ferry. Ruby Resevior has 10 plus
inches of ice they tell me. They are catching rainbows. Clark Canyon
has 12 plus ice. Ling and rainbow trout are being caught, “Rich said.
The shop is open to walk ins. Call for help by appointment as well.
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“The Yellowstone has ice and is slushy. We still have lots of snow
Conditions are not good for fishing right now. There are sheets of ice
off the bank and that makes it dangerous. I had only 2 people try on the
Stillwater finding a bit of water. It would be pretty rough to even try.
If you want to fish heading to the Big Horn is where you can fish
safely, “Chris says.
We now are in winter hours in the shop and are open Tuesday to Sat 9 to
2pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
It is cold but good fishing. Brown trout are doing good right now. They
are spawning. The water is cooling down. Nymphs are
working.
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
