With winter changing to spring 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,”We have had only one guy up here, He did not find any fish. The ice is not good. Every step you feel water seeping up through the ice. It is only open at the point. There is no shore fishing right now. They say we should get 60 degrees some days this week and it is not freezing at night, “Bill said. If you are going up it is suggested you call as conditions are changing fast. 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.
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
The ice is not good. The ice is unsafe. It has pulled away from shore. Some people are trying to fish from shore. Weather is a big factor in when it breaks up.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“The ice is breaking up. It is not safe at all. It is a waiting game. The point has broken off. You can shore fish and some are doing that,” Wade explained.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Cody says,”We don’t have enough ice for ice fishing or the enough water to fish either. We still have quite a bit of ice but not for fishing. It has been way too cold to bank fish. We had snow yesterday (Monday) and 25 degrees with a cold wind. If we get a decent wind the ice could all blow out but it has not happened yet. “
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene says,”We had nice weather this week. The bay is still froze over. The Corp still has the ramps closed so you can’t get a boat in. It is open at Duck Creek and some guys are fishing there. There are good roads to Duck Creek. They are catching some walleye and northern pike there. You can fish the river and they are catching rainbow trout, walleye and lake trout.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
The lake is wide open. Some are fishing from shore. Lots of birds, mallards and geese are out on the water.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
“The ice is breaking at Cottonwood. It is 20 to 30 feet off shore. There is some open water in places. On Red Lodge arm the ice is 50 to 60 feet out. There is a narrow strip there. In the middle a pressure ridge started and it is opening but nowhere is there water open enough for more than one boat. At this point I would say there is no boat access. They say it is supposed to be warm all week so that will change things,” said Glenis.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” Deadmans has no ice. Some wind again this week. A few guys have been out but most are testing their boats. The few that are fishing are not catching anything.” Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Staff said,”Deadmans is open. Still lots of wind this week.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie says, “Ice is sketchy everywhere. Just not good. The Missouri at Winifred by the PN bridge is open. They are catching walleye, sauger and pike.”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Heard the ice is gone at Crooked Creek. Please Call for information on if it is open. The pier is still pulled. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Get your boats ready, Spring is coming. The ice is not good. The ice is pulling from shore. It is pulled away 30 to 40 feet. It is too dangerous to ice fishing. Call for conditions.
The Gates of the Mountains are open. It is crazy some say there were 100 boats there. Some went and then turned around because of how busy it was.
Holter is open. So is Hauser,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Nelson still has ice. It is open in spots. I know of one guy who fished it. The ice has pulled away from shore in some places. Forchette has fishable water. The ice is gone. You can put a boat in. You can also put a boat in at Bone Trail also, “Jim said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in any time,
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” there are a ton of people going to the Yellowstone. They are heading above Forsyte. They are catching. Some bass and sauger are being caught on minnows and jigs. Not many walleye being caught.
The Big Horn has been doing well. The bite is really on.
I hear there is no good ice on Cooney. Just have to wait for it to move out.
They are catching some sauger on the Yellowstone. Not a lot but they are there. ”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “You don’t want to go out on the ice anywhere right now. Holter is totally open. It is open all the way to the dam. The Rivers are open. Guys seem to be using crawlers.
On Canyon Ferry fishermen are saying the ice is honeycombed and there was lots of wind. Just scary to walk on. Some are fishing off shore.
Suckers were working at Yellowtail on Sunday.”
The shop is open to walk ins. Call for help by appointment as well, Rich said. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“People have been getting out to fish on the rivers. The Stillwater is low. I would not suggest floating it right now. The Yellowstone is floatable. On the Yellowstone use streamers and nymphs. There is no dry fly action. We are seeing an occasional midge, blue wing, but not enough to see any action. Access is wide open right now. I am hearing of some fish being caught. The biggest thing is the wind. if you can get away from it,” 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 good. The cfs is 2200 and the water is clear. Nymph fishing is good. Try the Gray Rays, pink tackle, juju baetis, zebra midges, red midges and San Juan worms. With the limited dry fly action try using small baetis in size 20 to 22, students, and parachute Adams. On the lower part blue wings are starting to work. If you use streamers use them on cloudy days. Streamers like thin mints and blond wooly buggers have started to work,” Rick said.
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)
