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.
(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Bill said, “Guys have been coming up to ice fish this week. They have ben catching a few northerns using smelts. Haven’t heard of walleye being caught but the guys were wanting northerns. We have 10 inches of ice in the Bay now they say. Close to the Marina we have 8 to 10 inches. You can go all the way across and the guys are using 4 wheelers.” When I asked Bill how the road was his answer was,“ I guess the road is okay. This weekend we had someone show up in a car to fish from Williston. Kind of crazy, but the two kids were able to do it.” 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
“It has been cold here. We got 4 to 5 inches of snow. That traditionally has usually started fishing to get weird. The lack of light for the fish alters their behavior. A fair number of people are fishing. The ice is fairly good. Guys are catching crappie and perch but I have not seen them bring out great numbers. No walleyes that I have seen caught this week. 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
“Guys are nailing crappies. Walleyes seem to be obsolete right now. Just not seeing them right now. The fish have been in 30 feet of water and then in some places guys are finding them at 15 to 20 feet. The ice depth pretty much across is 10 inches”, Wade explained. 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
Cody says,” Fishing was good this week. They are catching northern pike and perch with only a few walleye being caught. The ice is good. The first half of Hell Creek Bay is 6 to 9 inches deep and the last is 5 to 7 inches deep. From Hell Creek west to Snow Creek it is 5 inches deep and east toward the dam is only 3 and a half inches. The road is not too bad. There are only a few spots where if you are pulling a big unit you will need chains.”
*Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene says, “Not much ice here. A few people are finding ice way back in the bay. I don’t know that the little ice we have is safe yet. We are still waiting for it.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Bob says,” The fishermen seem to be catching a sufficient number of fish. The number of fishermen out there is definitely up. If anything guys are spending a lot of time on the ice.”
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
The ice is 10 inches and fishing has improved. Walleye are being caught I have been told.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” No one is catching like they were. No one has caught salmon. Fishing has slowed. The ice is shifted. It has buckled up and the surface has roughed up in places.” 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 but fishing has slowed.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “On Achley fishing has been good. Right now pre-dawn seems to be good. Try green power bait. The ice is 1 foot plus deep.
On Crooked Creek people are doing pretty well. There are some pressure ridges developing. Of course depending on the rise and fall of the barometer. Some walleye and northern pike are being caught on minnows.
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
We are now wholesale only. By an appointment only. There is a $50 dollar minimum for minnows.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Fishing is good. Perch and walleye were caught this week. We have 11 inches of ice by the Silos. A few nice walleye are being caught. The perch tournament is this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday is for singles with a prize for the biggest perch and walleye catch. $10. For adults and $5 for kids 14 or under. Sunday is a team event. $50.00 for a team of three. 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 has slowed fishing wise. Guys are spearing or using tip ups. I went out this weekend with a bunch of friends. We had 24 lines and in 6 hours we only got 2 bites, a 6 pound walleye and a 3 pound northern pike. We were using minnows. So I hate to say it has slowed but it definitely was slow for us. There were definitely lots of people out trying, “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 a lot about Crooked Creek by Winnet. The ice is good. Guys caught 4 walleye and some pike from 20 to 18 pounds. Nothing huge on walleyes but eaters. They are using tip ups and jigging minnows. Guys are coming in and buying slender spoons in no specific colors. Also using Castmasters.
I am hearing Tongue is still slowing down. They are still catching crappie and perch.
In Petrolia the only bite seems to be very early morning and late evening bite. They are catching some walleye at that time.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
“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. Some were able to cross to the other side and caught a 13 pound walleye,
On Holter I heard fishing is real good. The perch are biting and the limit has changed. Check your regulations.
The small reservations like Harrison the ruby are good fishing with good ice. Ruby has about 15 inches of ice, “Rich said.
The shop is open to walk ins. Call for help by appointment as well.
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“ With the warmer temperatures you might find a few side channels to fish on the Stillwater. 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. N 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 still 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.
