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
“The fishing was good this week even with some rain. Someone caught a big walleye on a jig and a minnow. Someone caught a 40 inch pike from the dock. The smallmouth bass are hitting on the points in 8 to 15 feet. Try using just a minnow and a bobber going south of Rock Creek. The water temp here is 52 right now,“ Bill said. The marina, cabins and campground are open.
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Bob says,” the fishing has picked up. It has been fair for walleye. They are getting some good size ones. Half the guys are getting limits out of boats that I talked to. It seems to be just turning on. Water depths seem to be 8 to 15 feet. A few small moths being caught. ”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday it was good fishing. Someone caught a 13 pound walleye. Then it turned off because of weather. You could catch just about anything before. It was phenomenal. You just need to keep checking depth and moving around. Depths were 8 to 15 feet using a jig and a minnow or bottom bouncer with a worm harness. I saw people with 30 crappies, 15 walleye and a few northern pike. The crappie were not at the shoreline yet. The water temperature has picked up to 59 to 60 degrees. Then the cold came on and that may slow things down. We suddenly had wind. 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 said.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Office Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Cody says,” fishing slowed up with the rain. They were catching northern pike in Hell Creek going shallow as low as 6 feet. We have only seen a few smallmouth, just not many yet. They were finding some walleye going west toward Timber Creek. When fishing for walleye they are finding them on the other side of Snow Creek. Still a few King salmon being caught. Water temperature most of the week before the rain was 45 to 50 degrees. We are open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm now.”
The new park manager for Hell Creek State Park will be 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,” Walleye fishing has picked up on the Dry Arm. They are fishing at depths of 15 to 33 feet, I hear. Lake trout and salmon are being caught at Hacksbee and on the face of the dam at anywhere from 8 feet for Lake Trout and 33feet for salmon. So they are real scattered right now. We got 4 inches of rain so it is nice and soggy here.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
“Fishing was good when the weather was sunny. The dock had quite a few fishermen. They were catching before the weather change. Most people fishing are using a lures or worms, “Bob said.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
The water level is up. The water temperature had warmed up before the weather change up. They are catching some walleye from boats now. The shore fishing is decent for rainbow trout.
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” The water has not been clear. It is snowing right now. It is not sticking though. We saw boats out for recreation this weekend. Water level is up. Fishing still seems to be slow, very little catching happening. ” Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“Heard some catching going on at Martinsdale and Sutherland. Mostly catching rainbows. Try using powerbait and marshmallows with worms,” staff said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie says, “We have snow. We have snow 1 foot deep right now and I will bet it is getting close to 1 ½ foot high. Spring Creek is blown out. Paddlefish fishing slowing down because of the snow. They had just grated the road so it might be a mess because of the moisture. They were catching some walleye and sauger. ”
Crooked Creek-Grant
They are catching pike 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 was good before the weather change. They are catching small walleye in shallow water by the ponds. Some are catching walleye at Hole In the Wall in 40 feet depths. The rainbow fishing is excellent and you can find them all over. I did see 2 ling this week and a couple of 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 has picked up fishing wise. The water level is rising. Guys are finding walleye at 8 feet down using bottom bouncers and jigging. Some crappie and pike caught were caught. A few perch being caught. At Forchette the crappie is scattered. They are catching some walleye and northern pike.“
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in any time.
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” The dry arm has been hit and miss especially with the wind. Some smallmouth and pike being caught.
Fort Peck I haven’t heard much from there.
Crappie fishing on the Tongue river has been picked up I hear. I hear they are doing well.
Catfish fishing has been okay on the Yellowstone. Bass fishing is tough right now.
The Big Horn was good fishing this week a few have told me.
At Cooney the walleye fishing is producing but it is not crazy. For walleye try power bait.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “It is pretty cold and rainy right now. Yo will have snow on the stick right now. The bite was good this week. Canyon Ferry had water that was cold. The waters are murky.
The rivers are still very high and muddy.
Flicker Shads have been working.”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“It has been raining off and on. The Yellowstone is dirty and high. On the Stillwater it is cloudy water. Some caddis have showed up. The ditmo is still a factor. We were seeing more March brown action before the rain. We are going to have to wait to see what happens after the rain. Try the upper tributaries if you really want to try fishing right now or just wait it out, “Chris says.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“The jumped the flows from 32 and went up to 3500. That kicked up more grass. They are not eating in the morning which makes it real slow. From 12 to 1 pm the nymph fishing is out. Only a few dry flies are working. For the last 3 days there has not been a hatch. If you are nymphing pheasant tails and pink or gray sow bugs are working. It has been raining off and on. You are going to have to wait until the rain stops and clears some,” Beau says.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
“The cfs is 3500 today and it is supposed to go up. The water temperature is still 40 degrees. The fishing earlier in the week was good. We were seeing mayflies. It is clear above 3 mile. There is some runoff. There is moss below 3 mil. We are not seeing any caddis yet. The midge hatch continues to happen all day if it is cloudy. When trying streamers use deep buggers and zonkers. Nymphs are 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. Try small baetis in size 20 to 22, students, and parachute Adams.” 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, “It is wintery. Winter has come back. With that cold the water will be slow. The runoff is muddy. The ice is off Hebegan and flow has changed. The creek is starting to muddy. In the cloudy skies look for the BWO, March browns, to use. We need perfect weather for that. Nymphing should be good. Try nymphing early in the day and late evening. Yellowstone National Park fishing opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.”
