The coming of spring means you must be aware that weather and water levels 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
“A few guys fished off the bank. They caught fish off and on using an orange jig head with minnows. The surface water temp was 47 degrees. They caught a few bass, walleye, lake trout and pike. “Ryan said. The marina is closed now. The cabins and campground are open. We will have some fuel and ice.
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Bob says, “Fishing seemed to be slow this week. We had different fronts coming through each day. It was blowing so hard. We had big winds everyday and some gusts were 60 to 70 mph. There were 2 to 3 foot waves at time. Obviously if they got on when the wind hit they got off the water and that made fishing really poor. ”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“Another weekend of a lot of people on the weekend. A few boats were getting some here. We had wind many days. It is a hard catch if you did get out there. Bring on the Spring days! We are open 7 days a week. My hours will be Sunday to Thursday 8 am to 6 pm and Friday and Saturday 7 am to 9pm. I have minnows, leaches and worms on hand. Remember as of April 1st no shiner minnows are allowed on Tongue,” Wade explained.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Cody says,” the water temperature is 45 degrees. Walleye fishing has been slow. The northern pike are also slow. They are finding them in 15 feet or less of water. For lake trout they are finding them on the main waters going East in 15 to 225 depths. The small docks are in but they are not hooked up with power yet. We are waiting for an inspection to be done. right now are at depths of 15 to 25 feet.
The new park manager for Hell Creek State Park will be Marina Matheson. “
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene says,” Fishing has been good. They are catching a few salmon. The lake trout fishing has been good. The average is catching about 2 to 3 a day.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
“ Fishing has been pretty good this week. They are catching a few of the catchable fish that were stocked a couple of weeks ago. Most are using bait and a bobber. This past week they stocked one hundred brood stock. So now you can catch some bigger fish now, “Bob said.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
“The trout fishing has been doing well. If you fish from shore you can catch rainbow trout. Last week boat fishing was not good. People were getting blown off the water because of the wind we had. From a boat guys are catching their limit some days. Our new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell. He was transferred from Dillon,” said Glenis.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” guys are trying fishing from shore. One young man spent the whole weekend and caught nothing. Shore fishing is not good. The guys in boats are real slow. If they catch anything they are catching rainbow trout.
We headed west today and Sutherland is open. Bair is also open. Lots of people were fishing when we were there so there must be some action happening. ” Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“The wind blew a lot this week. I talked to guys who were blown off the Martinsdale water. If they fished it was slow,” staff said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie says, “Pretty much everything is muddy right now. The Missouri is muddy. Spring Creek is slow if you fish it. Achley is okay fishing. Try stripping using small baetes or small rainbow baetes. Try some brown spinners also. With the rain that is supposed to come the waters will get muddier. ”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Open water at Crooked Creek. Please Call for information on if it is open. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ Canyon Ferry fishing has been okay. I think the walleye have been spawned out. The surface water temperature is 58 degrees. The average catch has been 4 to 8 fish per boat. One person actually caught one perch. The water is coming up,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “ Nelson fishing is slow. You can catch a few walleye and a few perch. The water surface was 47 degrees when I went yesterday and that surprised me. The spawn is continuing and of course after the spawn is slow catching. The Missouri river is muddy, “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,” The Yellowstone river north of Fred Robinson has been good for bass. Not many walleye being caught yet there. Use heavy line with a ½ ounce jigs and minnows.
I have heard they are catching on the Dry Arm.
Other parts of the Yellowstone they are catching catfish.
On Yellowtail try using 1 ½ oz jig with a minnow for sauger. That seems to be working.
On Fort Peck at the dam some guys are doing well on lake trout.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “the Missouri is muddy. All the rivers are high and muddy especially the Jefferson.
At Canyon Ferry the guys caught lots of trout but not many walleye. The bite changes by the time of day. One time they find them at 6 feet, another time it is 10 feet and another 20 feet depths. I talked to one group that caught three walleye from shore there. Most were a little bigger than last year like 14 to 17 inches. The rainbows are spawning.”
The shop is open to walk ins. Call for help by appointment as well, Rich said. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“ the Yellowstone is doing well. There is a bit of March brown action on it. They are seeing some BWO action in the afternoon after one or two pm. The cfs on the Stillwater has bumped up a little to 350.The water has fine moss that is kind of slimy. It makes nymph fishing tougher to do. For midge action try the purple haze or BWO flies. Try hairs ears, pheasant tails and copper johns red nymphs. People are catching fish, “ Bill says.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“Fishing on the Big Horn this weekmeant flows of 2250 csf. The water temps have been in the 30’s. fishing is pretty good but you do have to deal with floating grass on the Big Horn below 3 mile. For the grassy water use heavier line and shorter leaders. The baetes, have been good. You can get some bites. There are a few midges in midmorning so you can target them. Try sow bugs in any colors, like pink, tan and gray. Use any midge larva in all colors. Watch the flows in the back channels as they are low and narrow ,” Beau says.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
“The cfs is 2250 and the water is clear above 3 mile. Fishing has been good. There is a midge hatch happening all day. We are seeing streamers working well at Mallard. Nymph fishing is doing really well. Try the Gray Rays, pink and orange tackle, juju baetis, zebra midges, red midges and San Juan worms. Use small baetis in size 20 to 22, students, and parachute Adams. Rainbows are stacking up. Stay off of the redds.” Collette said.
Our shop hours are 7 am to 7 pm now Monday to Sunday.
Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
We have started to see Blue winged olive mayflies hatching on the upper madison when the conditions are right. They have also been hatching on the lower madison below Ennis. Fly suggestions would be a Nyman’s baetis cripple size 18. When calm the Upper Madison from Hebgen Dam to Ennis, is fishing well. Nymphing most days will catch fish, be prepared with size 10-12 brown and black stonefly nymphs. Depending on the time of day and bug activity fish size 16-20 midges or similar sized Pheasant Tail nymphs below the larger stonefly. If you see insects or rising fish, try the size 16-20 Griffith’s gnat and you may fish that behind a size 16 parachute Adams for good results. Use fish streamerson cloudy days, try olive or black sculpin patterns. Rainbows are still on their redds up and down the river, don’t walk on the redds or fish to actively spawning fish. Fishing season in Yellowstone National Park opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.
