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 Mondayand 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
Neil said, “We have 6 to 7 inches of ice in the Bay. We had a fair number of fishermen here this week and fishing was slow. Someone caught a 12 pound lake trout.” 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
“A fair number of people are fishing. The ice is fairly good. At Bossen somebody put a car through. People need to think before they take heavy things out there. They seem to be catching more out in the middle of the lake. I have seen crappie and perch. 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
“The guys are catching crappies and lots of northern pike. The crappies have been nice some 13 inches and the northerns have been 7 to 12 pounds. A lot of guys are catching and then someone will come who hasn’t caught a thing. If there is one tip I could give it would be don’t stay dedicated to one hole. Guys who are moving around are limiting out”, Wade explained. I am open. Our hours will be 6 am to 1 pm Friday 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
Clay says,” Fishing ain’t too bad. Guys are fishing close to the marina for about a half a mile. They aree catching northern pike and perch. Ice fishing is just starting.Boy scout Point has 6 to 7 inches and at Lucky Point the ice is 5 to 6 inches. It has just started.”
*Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene says, “No ice here. We are still waiting for it. There was a little ice at the dam before but that is gone. The only fishing is here or there at the dredge cuts but even there they are not getting much.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Bob says,” The number of fishermen out there is definitely up. Fishing has been steady. Guys fishing are using worms and corn and that is working.”
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
Staff and a fisherman said, “the ice is 8 to 10 ins and fishing has improved.”
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” On the weekend the ice has a lot of fishermen. Lots of huts out then. They must be getting salmon.” Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Staff said,” I have heard the ice on Deadmans is good right now .”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie says, “On Achley use blue pink fire tiger lures with white or pink maggots. They are working well. The ice is 1 foot plus deep. The big thing at Achley is you have to use a ice shack to fish there right now. The ice is so clear if you just fish without a ice shack you have no success. You need the ice shack to cover the hole and then you can really catch. I have never seen the clearness of the ice. You can literally watch the fish taking the bite.
On Crooked Creek there are 3 to 4 inches. Fishing is pretty good. Using minnows I have heard there was a 10 pound walleye and a 20 pound northern pike. It is also good for crappies using a little jig.
On Forchette I had some guys come in and say the ice is barely 4 to 5 inches. They drilled and didn’t like the conditions and turned around and left. ”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Heard from fishermen that they are catching at Crooked Creek, It has been good fishing they say. 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
“I am heading to Tiber as I heard fishing was good,” Eddie says.
We are now wholesale only. By a appointment only.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“We have 11 inches of ice by the Silos. There is about 6 inches at White Earth and a little beyond. Some nice walleye being caught nicer than we have seen for quite a while. . Perch and walleye fishing has been good this week. Some nice trout going deep especially along the shore.. Perch and walleye are 35 to 50 feet deep. Call the store for conditions as the weather can change things quickly. We have maggots,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“Last week Nelson has 12 to 14 inches of ice. Fishing has been good and they are catching, “Jim says.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
Mike says,” I hear that Cooney has a foot of snow. They are catching some fish. Tongue is still good fishing. They are catching crappie and perch. I did hear they were doing good at Crooked Creek so the ice must be okay. I haven’t heard much on Fort Peck. I did hear they were fishing at Hell Creek. We just talked to some guys headed to Petrolia so they must know there is ice enough to fish.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
“I had some guys come in who said there is 11 inches in some places on Crooked Creek. Some were able to cross to the other side and caught a 13 pound walleye,
At Canyon Ferry guys are finding fish as far as White Earth. I also heard that the ice there is only 3 to 4 inches, “Rich said.
The shop is open to walk ins. Call for help by appointment as well.
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“There is ice on the edges on the Yellowstone. Lots or slushy ice on the Stillwater. Just not good to go out, “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 has been fair. The water temperature is down to 41 degrees. Nymph fishing is fairly good. Streamers are working only fair. There is a minimal dry fly action on midges. The brown trout spawn is almost over,” Hale said.
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
