The spring weather means you should stay aware. The 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
“We have had bad weather this week since Saturday. No one went out there was just way too much wind and rain. The lake level is up. We open the marina on Friday. With the weather the way it is call for conditions,“ Bill said. The marina will open April 30th. The cabins and campground are open. We are in the process of getting our deliveries in so we will be ready.
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Bob says, “We last week we got 1.6 inches of rain and we got 1.71 inches now. The guys that were out were catching fish hit and miss. I talked to one guy who caught a male walleye that was ripe. So some spawning going on. The lake is coming up. The south end of the Tongue because of all the rain is turning tan and mudding up. The guys came out and did some netting. They found the walleyes in the net were averaging 8 to 9 some even had 10.”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“It is raining pretty hard right now. A few guys caught some crappies and bass throwing toward shore. The one boat limited out on bass. They found that the walleyes were hit and miss. FWP did some netting on April 21st and For the last 30 years they netted about 4 in each net. This time every net had 7 to 10 walleye so the number are good. The water temp on Saturday was between 558 to 62 degrees. We are open 7 days a week. My hours will be Sunday to Thursday 8 amto 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
Staff says,” We got 3 inches of rain this week. We also got snow all day yesterday (Monday) and again this morning. We did not get accumulation just moisture. Three guys who were staying here went out in the snow storm on Monday and did amazingly well. They got 3 King salmon which we don’t normally see. They also caught some pike and a little walleye and a few bass. Walleye are slow. You can make it in.
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 had really bad weather this week. Had rain and lots of cold. No one wanted to brave the weather to go out and fish. A quiet fishing week. They were catching some salmon on cranks at the face of the dam and Haksbee Point the week before. The Duck Creek area has was good for walleye the week before. Have to see how the weather affects that”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
“It has been drippy and cool. Fishing looks like it has been good. We got some more hatchery cuts and some more brood stock that were 16 to 20 inches this past week again. Most people fishing are using a lures or worms, “Bob said.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
We has been rain this week. Not many boats out there. The trout fishing is doing okay. For shore fishing try for rainbow trout. Boat fishing has not been good. The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” Rain and a lot of blowing happened this week. There were very few boats out. The boaters I talked to caught very few and only got small fish. Mostly trout.” Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“I heard this week that guys were catching a few at Martinsdale and Sutherland. That was early last week before the weather. They were catching rainbows, 2 to 3 pounders. They were doing quite well then. Using powerbait and marshmallows with worms. I also heard one group went to Crooked Creek by Winnett and caught some pike. No bites from walleye though ,” staff said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie says, “ It has been snowing and really wet this week. We had 50 to 80% rain this week. Every water is off and muddy. The weather needs to improve for things to change.”
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
“A lot of cloudy sky weather this week. Canyon Ferry fishing is more than decent if you could get out there to fish. They are catching small walleye close to shore in 2 feet of water. The trout fishing is still good. The water is coming up. The State Walleyes Unlimited banquet is this Saturday at the field house in Bozeman. You can buy tickets at the door,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Mandy says, “We have had a bunch of rain this week. Nelson fishing is still slow. They are catching walleye males in shallow water. Only a few pike caught.“
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in any time.
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” Bass fishing on the tongue river was good on Saturday.
Some pike were also caught.
The catfish fishing has been good for catfish. Surprisingly they are still catching sauger at the Pompey Pillar area. People say the bass fishing slowed this week. At Fort Peck I hear they are catching a few fish at the dry arm.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ Fishing was pretty good before the weather at Canyon Ferry. The rivers are very high and muddy. The Madison is the least muddy.
On the south end of the lake it looks like it is turning over. The Missouri is coffee color with lots of cream right now. I think we are seeing the usual end of May runoff in April.”
The shop is open to walk ins. Call for help by appointment as well, Rich said. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“On the Stillwater it has gotten better. You can now float the lower portion not the upper yet. It has settled down. It is clearing up. The ditmo is definitely a factor. We are seeing more March brown action.
The Yellowstone river is muddy. The rain had changed things. The caddis are starting. We are starting to see some BWO action, “ Chris says.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“Fishing on the Big Horn has been altered because of the rain this week. The dry fly fishing is seeing midge action from 10 am to 3:30 p.m. They are just going crazy at that time. The baetes bite has been intermittent. Nymph fishing from the boat has been good. When fishing you do have to deal with floating grass on the Big Horn below 3 mile. Use heavier line and shorter leaders. 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 2600 and the water temperature is 40 degrees. It is clear above 3 mile. There is some runoff. From below Soap Creek and Mountain Pocket is muddy now. Fishing has been good. There is moss below 3 mil. The midge hatch continues to happen all day if it is cloudy. Use orange scuds. We are seeing streamers working slow. Use deep buggers and zonkers. Nymph fishing is doing really well. Try the Gray Rays 16-18, pinkies and orange tackle, juju baetis 18, Smoke jumpers 20, zebra midges 18’s, red midges and San Juan worms. Use small baetis in size 20 to 22, students, and parachute Adams.” 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
Alice explains, “It is 38 degrees today. With the rain things are changing. The small streams have started to change to green brown. Some have a tinge of cloudy but that will probably change with this rain. Due to the forecast you will see more BWO or Maywings on the upper Madison. If the fish can see them they will be rising out of the water. There was a change in flow on the Hebegan. The cfs is down to 850. As of April 1st snow pack was at 100 % and now it is 82%. Try nymphing early in the day and late evening. They have been hatching on the lower Madison below Ennis. Fly suggestions would be a Nyman’s baetis cripple size 18. For Nymphing use size 10-12 brown and black stonefly nymphs. Depending on the time of day and bug activity try 16-20 midges or similar sized Pheasant Tail nymphs. For rising fish, try the size 16-20 Griffith’s gnat and size 16 parachute Adams. Use streamers in olive or black sculpin patterns. Yellowstone National Park fishing opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.”
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