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.
(Compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Bill said, “We had fishermen come up here this week. They finally caught some walleye. We have a foot of ice in the bay. Guys are using four wheelers. Some of them tried on the point. They went 2.5 feet and jigging up they caught lake trout and ling. They also caught a 39 inch and 43 inch northern pike. The roads coming in are fine.” 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
“The ice is good. The people I have spoken to caught mostly perch on the south end. Fishermen that have gone to the middle have caught a few fish. I have seen them catch crappies. Most of the guys are using minnows and meal worms. You can get minnows through the marina or the vending machine,” Bob said.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“ This week I saw a few more walleyes being caught this week. I saw 2 sauger caught this week and 3 walleye 1 to 3 pounds. I also had someone catch a 10 pound northern pike spearing. We have 15 inches of ice as of Monday when I was out fishing. Minnows are working. The ice does have snow cover.”, Wade explained. Our hours will be 6 am to 1 pmFriday and Saturday and Sunday. I will 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
Clint says,” Fishing was awesome this week if you fish deep enough like 25 to 40 feet down. They are now catching some walleye and northern pike. They are knocking them dead. I have seen northern pike 10 to 16 pounds and walleye 6 to 8 pounds. I have never seen them be that deep. I think it is the weird weather we have had this winter. The ice is good in the first half of Hell Creek Bay. It is 7 to 9 inches deep and the last half is 6 to 7 inches deep. From Hell Creek west to Snow Creek it is 5 inches deep and east toward the dam is only 2 to 3 and inches. Going east I am telling people to just stay away it is just not safe. The road is okay but I am telling guys to know that the big hill is icy. You need to bring chains.
At Crooked Creek about a week ago I was told they were catching small walleye. The ice was pretty good but the river channel was crappy.”
*Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene says, “No ice here yet. A few people are finding ice way back in the bay but I hear it is less than 3 inches and not safe. It really thins down out there. We have had 30 degree temps so the weather is not consistent. I did talk to a lady who fished at Crooked Creek. She said she did not catch many fish. She said they caught a few walleye in the 4 to 5 pound size.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Bob says,” The ice seems to be holding with the weather temps being so warm at times. It has gotten cold in the evenings. I have seen fishermen catching small trout and some perch. The number of fishermen out there is still up in numbers.”
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
“The guys are catching ling near the dam. Also catching a few rainbow trout. No walleye or perch caught that I have heard of. The ice is 12 inches thick towards the dam but thinner closer at about 5 inches. With the weather changing it has been slushy but this morning I did see some ice cracking. Just be careful. The weather is changing things. Just be aware,” said Glennis.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” The people are out fishing but they are not catching anything. The salmon are done. It seems you have to fight for trout. Most fishermen are fishing on the edges. Guys need to change what they are doing and do some fishing in the middle. Change your thinking, try something different. Watch ice conditions. It has buckled up in places. The surface is rough in places. There were some guys who camped this week.” Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Staff said,” I have heard the fishing on Deadmans has slowed.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “Well, fishing around here is happening in 3 places. Achley has been good fishing. They are finding rainbows at 20 to 35 feet deep. Guys are using green power bait.
Crooked Creek has been steady fishing. They are doing pretty well. Heard of people catching pike and walleye. Pressure ridges are starting so be careful.
Nelson Reservoir is good fishing right now. There is good ice. They are catching walleye and pike. ”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Heard various report from fishermen on fishing. Some say they are finding thinning ice and have left early. Others are saying they are catching at Crooked Creek, At this point it is hard to get a consistent report. Could be weather related. 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
Eddy related that he went fishing at Tongue this week. He said,” Fishing was okay. Fishing was decent. We caught a lot of crappies.
I have heard mixed reports on Fort Peck. Some are having a bit of success and others are having a poor day of fishing.”
We are now wholesale only. By an appointment only. There is a $50 dollar minimum for minnows.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“We had the perch tournament this weekend. The winning perch on Saturday was 1.32 pounds. The 3 team winners on Sunday won with a total weight of 8.73 pounds. Fishing is very good. I weighed a perch Monday that was 1.57 pounds. We have 11 to 12 inches of ice with a hard drill. No new pressure ridges right now. Call the store for more information or conditions as the weather can change things quickly. We do have maggots at the marina,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Nelson fishing has picked up this week. There is definitely snow on the lake. Make sure you have a 4 wheeler or 4 wheel drive or you are not going to get around. We caught walleye, northerns and perch while thre. Ice is 12 to 15 inches.
Forchette has a solid 10 inches of ice. They are also picking up pike, perch and walleye using minnows. Go to depths of 35 to 45 feet deep.
The Murphs Tournament is this weekend on Saturday, “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 am hearing at Crooked Creek by Winnet they have been catching big northern pike. Quick Strip Riggs are working well. They are also having success with a Jig Big Slender Spoon and a minnow.
I am heard Tongue has slowed down from what it was. They are still catching crappie and perch.
In Cooney guys are saying it is relatively slow.
Of course the Big Horn is good. Where can you fly fish in the middle of winter with a sweetshirt on? Nymphing is definitely working. ”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
“ The rivers are open again. If you can get past the ice on the edges you can fly fish. Some places you have to get out 4 feet.
On Canyon Ferry the ice is good I hear and they are catching perch and walleye. The walleye are little. At the marina the ice is 12 inches. At White Earth there is 7 inches.
Harrison and Ruby is froze good. They are catching some decent trout. Highlight has seen some good fishing as well, “Rich said.
The shop is open to walk ins. Call for help by appointment as well.
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“You might find a few side channels to fish on the Stillwater. This morning was slushy. It still would be pretty dangerous. The Yellowstone is difficult to access and not really possible to fish. There is ice on the edges on the Yellowstone. No matter what be careful,” “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
“Fishing is good. Nymph fishing is fairly good. Streamers are working only fair. Fish the bottom. There is midges actions. Stay away from the current. The brown trout spawn is over. The water is cold and clear. It is nice fishing with this warm snap,” Hale said.
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
