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
Linda said, “If guys fished they had poor results. Weather is the problem. The water temperature was 34 to 36 degrees, “Bill 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, “We have had some rain this week. People came on the weekend which was warm. They tried for crappies but I did not see anyone catching. Fishing seemed to be slow this week. ”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“It is windy and raining today (Tuesday). We had lots of people on the weekend. A few boats were getting some bass. One boat had a couple of 2 t 3 pound walleye. They also caught a few bass and two crappie. It is a lot tougher fishing right now. They are using jigs and minnows. The water temperature has been 43 to 45 degrees and Tongue is filling. I did hear of a catfish being caught that was 25 ½ pounds. We did have some rain this week The marina opened last Friday, April 1st. 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,” Walleye fishing has been slow. The northern pike fishing is slow as well. If you get pike they are close to shore. The bank is the best place to find them. The lake trout right now are at depths of 15 to 25 feet. The water temperature is still pretty cold at 39 to 43 degrees. Maybe it will warm up this weekend as it is supposed to be 70 degrees.
The new park manager for Hell Creek State Park will be Marina Matheson. “
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene says,” We are getting snow with some rain right now. It also has been cold. . Fishing was slow this week. Once in a while they are catching a salmon at Hacksbee point. A few walleye are being caught by Duck Creek. Just slow fishing right now.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
More fishermen this week enjoyed the weekend. They are catching trout when the wind is calm. It is supposed to be good weather on the weekend so that may bring people out.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
“The trout fishing has been doing well. From a boat guys are catching their limit some days. There were lots of people here on the weekend. At Cottonwood and Willow Creek they are trying for walleye on a rapala but not many caught. Our new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell. He was transferred from Dillon,” said Glenis.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” People are surfing on the water in the wind this week. Seriously the fishing has been slow. The wind has made fishing tough. Several boat fishermen caught 1 or 2 rainbow trout and every once in a while a salmon. Pretty quiet.
We took a ride yesterday and Bear Lake is thawed. Sutherland at White Sulfur still has ice but it is breaking away from shore. Newland is still frozen hard. ” Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Lots of wind this week. I talked to some guys who went to Martinsdale and they were blown off the water. Guys who went out and had no wind said it was pretty slow.,” staff said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “Fishing has been pretty limited. It is snowing today and we have gotten 5 to 6 inches during the week. Fishing was improving before the weather change. The roads are muddy so access is a problem. WinifredI was told got rain earlier so it is hard to get there. You can access the Fred Robinson area because that has gravel roads. You can also go on the north road along the river on Rock Creek. The lake is showing mud. Spring Creek has a lot of mud. Achley is not really there yet. ”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Open water 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
“ Weather has been a factor. Wind has been blowing a lot. Rainbows have been biting. A few walleye are biting. The water temperature is 48 to 49 degrees. The surface temperature is moving up but slowly. I did weigh a walleye a lady caught that was 9 ½ pounds and 29 ½ inches long. Come on out this week and try fishing. The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “On Nelson the water is up a little. The fishing is slow. People are using gulp and jigging toward shore from the boat. Be about 10 to 11 feet from shore. On the Milk river anglers are using minnows and worms and catching some fish. On the Missouri they are catching walleye and sauger near the James Kip access using small cranks, “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 has been really good for catfish. They are using stink bait and whole or part minnows.. You can find bass now in the weeds that are getting taller. The catfish fishing is strong
On Fort Peck at the dam some guys are doing well on lake trout.
Cooney I hear was hit and miss this week for trout.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “This week if the weather was good it has been good fishing. We have had 50 degree sunny days with some wind that made it a little cold. At Canyon Ferry the guys caught lots of trout but not many walleye. I hear on the rivers they are getting a few on flies. It is starting to pick up. 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 cfs on the Stillwater has bumped up a little to 315. You cannot float the Stillwater yet. The native ditimo or rock snot is starting to complicate some nymph fishing. Yellowstone fishing has been good this week when there was no wind. Guys have seen some blue wing midges hatches starting in the late afternoon. Nymph fishing is doing real well. Try princes and hairs but you can really try anything right now. You can float the Yellowstone. Streamers are working best. Try using black wooly buggers. People are catching fish, “ Chris says.
We now are still in winter hours in the shop and are open Tuesday to Sat 9 to 2pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“Fishing on the Big Horn this week meant dealing with wind. The flows is still 2000 csf. 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. The floating grass is in the water and that will make nymph fishing a little tougher. There is more below three mile. That means you will need to use heavier line and shorter leaders. It is early for the grass to start. Be careful of the flows in the back channels as they are low and narrow.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
“Fishing has been good. There is a little midge dry fly action. The cfs is 2000 and the water is clear. Lots of wind this week. The water temp has been around 39 to 41 degrees. The recent rain has blown out some of the waters. The water is starting to have silt below the Big Horn access site. We are seeing streamers working well at Mallard. Nymph fishing is doing really well. We are seeing a midge hatch especially in the evening. We are seeing a more baetis and midges. 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. That is really important right now,” Rick 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
Alice says,” When the days are calm the Upper Madison from Hebgen Dam to Ennis, is fishing well. The hatch has not changed since las week and nymphing most days will catch fish. Use 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. Speaking of bug activity, if you see insects or rising fish, rely on the size 16-20 Griffith’s gnat and you may fish that behind a size 16 parachute Adams for good results. Try streamers on cloudy days. Olive or black sculpin patterns are working. Rainbows are still on their redds up and down the river, give them a break, don’t walk on the redds. If you see actively spawning fish avoid fishing theere. Just a reminder fishing season in Yellowstone National Park opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. “
