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
“Fishing was good this week. We had some wounded warriors fishing this week and they caught fish galore. J. T. Hienman caught a 31 inch, 8.5 pound walleye and his wife caught a 37 inch , 12 pound pike. A burnt orange rattletrap worked for Craig Green Lear of McCleod who got a 41 inch, 15 pound pike. The water temperature is about 54 to 55 degrees. They haven’t found a bad hole this week. They are catching fish all over. The walleye, pike and bass are all biting. They are blading the road today so it will be better coming in after last week’s rain. It is a beautiful, cloudy day in the 60’s with a slight wind on the water, just enough to make the water ripple,“ Linda said.
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
You can catch crappie here right now because the bite is doing well. The walleye have been picked up this week as well. Lots of people seem to be catching.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“There was wind on Saturday. There still was a lot of fishing happening. They were catching everything this week. People were getting their limit on crappie. They also are catching walleye. They have been catching walleye, large mouth, smallmouth and crappie, all of them. The crappies have been at 17 to 22 feet. The water temperature is 62 earlier in the week and now is down to 52 degrees. They are finding the pike at 17 to 22 feet. Just present a crank , minnow and plastic to catch them. The color at the moment is pink. You can pretty much find fish anywhere.
We are open 7 days a week. My hours will be Sunday to Thursday 8 am to 6 pm and Friday andSaturday 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 said.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Office Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Cody says,” Fishing has not been too bad. It is starting to pick up. In Hell Creek Bay northern pike and smallmouth are being caught shallow at 6 to 14 feet. Use a slow presentation with a jig or a bottom bouncer, Find the walleye near Timber Creek. The bite has been good. Very few walleye are being caught at Hell Creek Bay right now. They are more consistent in timber Creek. Water temperatures have been 50 to 55 degrees. Try a jig or a bottom bouncer. The water is up about the same depth as last year. We are open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm now.”
The new park manager for Hell Creek State Park is Marina Matheson. “
Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597
Lake Ridge is under new management. Please welcome new owners Eddie and Carrie Mindt. I would like to thank Gene for all of his support and help with the fishing report. Good luck in your life adventures ahead as you leave the state and head to be with family.
Eddie says,” Walleyes have turned on at Flat ake. If you got out before the wind came up pulling nightcrawlers. For lake trout pull deep divers with a crank at 20 feet. Try at Hacksbee. They are deep diving and on the face of the dam they are shallow. Get northern pike off the bank right now. Use the biggest minnow or smelt you can find. I do have leeches in now. ”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
“Fishing has been good this week. Fishermen have been catching. Most people fishing are using lures or worms. The osprey have been fun to watch as they catch fish, “Bob said.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
Glennis said, ”The water is up this week. M4 and MN at Marshal Cove are flooded. This morning I saw a ton of fish jumping so they are active. The one person I talked to said try a spoon with a pink flasher and a worm with power bait. One fisherman caught their limit of trout. “
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Boat fishing has been slow. They were catching a few small trout. Rain and and wind have been factors this weekShore fishing has picked up. Water level is up. Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“People are saying fishing has been okay. Nothing special. They say Deadmans is starting to pick up from shore. Mostly telling me somedays are hot ad some days are not,” Terry said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “Fishing is slower right now. At Achley rainbow trout are starting to pick up along the shore line. Some are getting a few from the boats. On the Missouri river at the PN to the lake the paddlefish have been fair. Cat fishing is okay. Nymphing is the best possibility. The other rivers are blown out right now because of all the rain. It has been raining every day. Just look at your watch at 4 pm and the rain has started again.”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Fishing has been picking up at Crooked Creek. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Weather has been awful. We have had rain, wind and hail. You just could not get out so fishing wasn’t happening. Hopefully the weather will get better this week,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “At Nelson walleye have been at 12 to 26 feet down. Use worms, bottom bouncers or a worm harnesses. On the gravely shores try 6 to 15 feet down in the evening. They seem to be feeding at night
On Forchette use a slow presentation. People are catching using a jig with gulp 6 to 10 feet down for walleye. You can find the northern pike in the bays in the weedline using a spoon. We will see how it goes with the rain forecasted for the weekend. “
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in any time.
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
Dan says,” We went to Yellowtail yesterday. We caught a ton of small mouth using tube jigs. They were mostly eater size with a few bigger ones.
At Cooney the walleye fishing is starting to be good.
On the Yellowstone the catfish are biting on live bait at Huntley to Pompeii.
Bass fishing on the Tongue river was real good. Try using a Seinko worm for results. For crappies try a jig and a minnow or a twister tail.
At Cooney the walleye fishing is just steady I hear. Walleye fishing is slow.
We heard Martinsdale is doing well for trout according to one fisherman. .
Hell Creek is start to heat up. Some guys have come in saying they got their limits. Fish in the shallows in the evening. The paddlefish I hear has picked up at Glendive.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “With all the rain things have stopped. It rained all night long and then all day so far today. The rivers are higher than last week and they are muddier than they were. Not much action on Canyon Ferry this week. I have heard fishing was good this weekend for walleye.”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“The Yellowstone is dirty and high. On the Stillwater the lower part has dropped and gone down some. The tributaries are still where to try fishing.. Try the river buggers and the San Juan worm. The Yellowstone is a mess with all of the rain. We are seeing no hatches as the water is so fast. All you can do is nymphing with a San Juan worm on the edges. We are going to have to wait to see what happens, “Chris says.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“I am now fishing the Missouri. Missouri is pretty darn good.They brought the river up today from about 53 to somewhere near 65 or so. Anyway, the fishing is pretty good. They’re eating so it’s analyn worms. With the river up, I’m working a lot of big rainbows and catching some big browns. That is pretty good . Andalright,” Beau says.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
“The cfs is up to 7000 now. They say they are going to try and hold it there. You can still wade. A boat trip tends to be a quick trip. They are going up and making another trip. We are not seeing hatches as the water is just too fast right now. Try streamers with black and blond buggers, scuds or a midge pupa. The grass is clearing because of the high water,” Stephanie 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, “Yellowstone National Park fishing opens this Memorial Day weekend. The Madison is in full runoff mode. It is off color. There are very few bugs around right now with weather changes. We have had rain and snow often. If a day has clearer water for a time the fish will be looking up to eat. It seems to be clearing more for short times on cooler days. Later in the day the water is more off color. There is just not much bug activity. You might see some action using streamers and nymphs. Only a few blue winged olive mayflies hatching. In the cloudy skies try BWO and March browns. Try nymphing early in the day and late evening.”
