Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 2.1.16
By angelamontana

Posted: February 4, 2016

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

Neal said, “Fishing has been great. The ice is a foot or better. I went fishing with some fishermen and the northern bite was really good.  I fished with them 2 days and we got 20 northern pike.  We got some walleye as well. The walleye are running slow. You have to really look it is just a matter o finding the schools. We were fishing at Little Bug. Most fishermen are running minnows one foot off the bottom using tip ups.  Some other fishermen are doing okay spearing in 7 to 8 foot of water. There are no pressure ridges.I think it is the best fishing in winter we have seen in years.  Guys are using four wheelers and side by sides. 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 still okay. They are catching perch. It was really warm this week. That changed the ice.  We had 61 degrees at one point. That caused the snow we had to melt.  It did raise the water some in fact BOR called wondering if their equipment had a problem because the level went up. It was that melt. 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 there were not as many fishermen.  I don’t know why except maybe they thought fishing had slowed down.  It hasn’t.  Fishing is steady.  I have not seen it drop off at well.  They are catching some nice crappies and pike.  The ice is 10 inches and is real good.  The whole lake is good. Minnows are working I have sold lots of them.”, 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 slow this week.  We had 50 degrees this week.  It was cold yesterday and tody and I think that will change things again.  People have caught a few walleye and northern.  Nothing too big, though.  There is ice but we are telling people to stay off the main bay. By Hell Creek Marina there is 6 to 12 inches of ice.  You can use 4wheelers or side by sid.  Going west it is 5 inches  in some places and 2 to 3 inches and it is honeycombed. “

 

*Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597

Gene says, “It was warm here this week.  No ice here or if there is a bit it is bad.  A few people are finding ice way back on the point but I wouldn’t go there.  On the south half point they are getting a few northern and a handful of walleye. Just not any fishing here guys are calling coyotes instead.”

 

Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson

Bob says,” I went out and talked to some fisherman. The ice is pretty solid.  It is 10 inches.  The ice seems to be holding with the weather temps being so warm at times. They were using powerbait and worms.”

 

Cooney Reservoir  Glenis

“ the ice at Fisherman’s Point is 18 inches and 1 foot at the dam.  It has been really windy. Fishing has been slow.  There were 2 dozen people out there and only 2 trout caught.  It is just slow,” said Glennis.

 

Deadmans  Tony Stefani

Tony says,” fishing is really slow.  There is ice from shore 4 feet and then there is some open water.  Not safe as conditions are changing.” Campers remember it is now a pay site.

 

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22

Staff said,” People say fishing has slowed at Deadmans. Ice wisw the warmer weather changed things.”

 

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

Dale says, “ Spring Creek is fair for nymphing. They are catching browns.

Achley has been steady this week.go to 23 to 25 feet down.  They are catching trout with green powerbait and maggots.

Crooked Creek has been steady to fair fishing. Heard of people catching pike, crappies, perch and walleye. They are seeing some pressure ridges so be careful.

Forchette Bay is steady fishing. They are catching walleye and pike on a minnow bite.”

 

Crooked Creek-Grant

Some saying  they are catching at Crooked Creek, Heard ice thinning. 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

Nice fishing on the Yellowstone for catfish. You can use your boat in Huntley area.

We are now wholesale only. By an appointment only. There is a $50  dollar minimum for minnows.

 

 

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

“Fishing is decent not great but decent.  We have 11 inches of ice. We are saying don’t go north of Confederate. White Earth is okay.  Not too many walleye.  Mostly perch and trout. 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 was slow for some this week. Some guys got lucky.  There is definitely snow on the lake.  Someone caught a 22 inch northern pike at the derby and 7 pound plus walleyeIce 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.

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

 

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen

McCahen says,” People are talking about the catfish fishing on the Yellowstone. They are catching sauger  and ling here and there as well.  They are finding them by Huntley.  I am hearing at Crooked Creek by Winnet they have been catching pike.

I am heard people are thinking Tongue has slowed down from what it was.  They are still catching crappie and perch.

The Big Horn is good.  People love fly fishing in the middle of winter with the warm temps.  Nymphing is definitely working. ”

 

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

“ The Ruby Reservoir is real good fishing.  Lots of ice.  They are catching rainbows.

On Canyon Ferry the ice is good I hear and they are either getting into them or not. Catching lots of perch.  You either get in to them or don’t.   At the marina the ice is 12 inches.

Holter has ice but some say it is treacherous. There is 7 inches or less in places.

The Ruby is really good.  Lots of ice. They are catching some decent trout.

The Yellowstone people say is opening up for catfish.  You can get in some places with a boat.

The shop is open to walk ins.  Call for help by appointment as well, Rich said. ”

 

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

“Some places did open in some places.  Some guys went out but I did not hear how they did. 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 good. Streamers are working fair. Fish the bottom. There is some midge actions. Stay away from the current.  The water is cold and clear,” Hale said.

Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.

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