Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 5.30.16
By angelamontana

Posted: June 2, 2016

The summer 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.

 

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560

“Fishing was not as good this week. It was slow because of the weather. No sem to get their limits. One nice walleye was caught. They were heading south looking for them. Someone caught a northern pike that was 46 inches and 21 pounds. All the fishing slowed down. It seemed to be because of the heat, “ Ryan 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

“Lots of people were doing good on crappies. They were catching walleyes. It was a nice weekend. Just a little windy. They were mixing up what they were trying. They were using everything, a jig, a bottom bouncer and cranks. There were lots of boats here this weekend. Someone almost caught a state record. It weighed 2.9 pounds and the state record is 3.1 pounds. 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 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
Clint says,” Fishing was good this week. Walleye was really good. Lots of people caught their limits. They were really biting on minnows. They found them going west from Hell Creek. After the bad weather and snow people were finding big ones heading to Timber Creek. They were catching big ones with bottom bouncers at 20 to 30 feet and then at another time of the day the majority were caught in 12 feet water or less. Like 5 to 6 foot of water using a jig. They were taking pretty much anything. Northern pike have slowed but they have been catching some nice bass. The bass fishing was better when it was sunny weather. They started pitching just about anything and they were biting. The fishing has been better than normal especially when the weather is stable. 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

Eddie and Carrie Mindt are the new owners.

Eddie says, ”The weather was not good some days this week. Walleyes are biting at Flat Lake. People were getting their limit of walleye. For lake trout head to Hakesbee and pull deep divers with a crank at 20 feet. Get northern pike are at 42 feet or off the bank right now. They are very aggressive. Use the biggest minnow you can find. People are heading to Duck Creek and using a spinner with a minnow or even a jig. Mid-day they are finding them using a crawler and a leech. I think as the weather changes they will start biting on everything. You can already see it is starting.”

Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
“Lots of kids playing and fishing this week. They are catching. Most people fishing are using lures or worms. With the kids out of school families are using Lake Elmo, “Bob said.

Cooney Reservoir Glenis
The water is up. People are seeing fish jumping so they are active. They are having success with a spoon with some pink color. Also try a worm with power bait. Some say fishing has become more active.
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon

Deadmans Tony Stefani

They were catching some trout this weekend. There were lots of people here. We had three separate storms come through. So people were on and off the water. Shore fishing has picked up some. Water level is definitely up. Campers remember it is now a pay site.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“I have heard people are saying fishing has started to pick up. At Deadmans they got in to some fish, not a limit but using worms to catch them. At Martinsdale guys are saying one day is hot and another cold for catching fish. They said they caught fish in the early morning and then late in the evening. The wind seemed to blow them off during the day. One guy had 4 by 11 am and then nothing for the rest of the day. The ones they caught were in the 2 pound range,” Terry said

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

Dale says, “the three day weekend was filled with cold, wet and muddy water. Fishing is slower right now. At Achley rainbow trout was okay along the shore line. They are throwing in a bead head prince or a pheasant tail and sometimes a shrimp. You can troll with spinners towards the bank and find some as well. The water has been pretty clear. Spring Creek right now is high and muddy. The ponds are off color. You can catch some catfish in the Missouri. The paddlefish fishing has brought some catches as the flow is up. The walleye and pike bite is soft. We have had a lot of rain.”

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
“We had a really huge holiday weekend. I saw more people on the boat ramp than I have ever seen trying to get out fishing. There was a big walleye caught. It was 34 inches and 16 pounds. Most people were having luck heading south on both sides of the pond. They were using bottom bouncers, flicker shades and trolling. Bright colors were working. It was a really busy 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, “At Nelson the catch was scattered but good at times. All the ramps are in. The water is at full pool. Walleye have been at 12 to 26 feet down. Guys are using bottom bouncers. worm harnesses or cranks. One fellow caught a 39 inch fish on a fly rod.
On Forchette use a slow presentation. People are catching using a jig with gulp for walleye. You can find the northern pike in the bays in the weed line using a spoon. Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” Yellowtail has been real good fishing. The small mouth bass were biting. Nothing wild in size. Use tube jigs.
On the Yellowstone the catfish bite has been tough. Bass fishing this weekend was not so good.
On Tongue river the crappie fishing was real good. Bass fishing was just so so we have heard. Try using a Seinko worm for results. For crappies try a jig and a minnow or a twister tail.
Martinsdale was seeing success for trout. .
Hell Creek is better fishing this week. Some nice walleye have been caught. It seemed to be doing well.
Rock Creek seems to have slowed up.
Forchette was doing well fishing this holiday weekend.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540

Rich says, “The rivers are improving this week and they are less muddy than they were. Canyon Ferry was pretty good this week. I heard fishing was good this weekend for walleye.”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

“The Yellowstone fishing has been slow. It is dirty and muddy. On the Stillwater the lower part has dropped. If you want to fish I would do it now before the predicted hot weekend. The heat will cause the runoff to start from the mountains. People need to fish now before the heat hits. Try use nymphs. Try streamers, wooley buggers, grinches. Use an attracter. A Jack Cade also might work. We are seeing no hatches as the water is so fast, “Bill says.

Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612

“I am now fishing on the Missouri. Missouri is pretty darn good. They brought the river down from 6700 to about 6200 somewhere. Try some sow bugs or BMD. Try PMDs. There is dry fly fishing on the lower part. There is more baetis up by the dam by Craig. They are feeding off the surface. On the lower water we will probably see more action on the surface in the next week. If they’re eating it’s analyn worms. With the river up, I’m working a lot of big rainbows and catching some browns,” Beau says.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

“The cfs is up to 7000 now. Rumors are that it could go up soon we are told. The water is clear. Nymphing is good. Sow bugs and scuds or San Juan worms are bringing success. Dry fly fishing has brought sporatic success. It is usually good from 1 to 4 pm. There is a hatch of baetis may fly. They say they are going to try and hold it there. You can still wade. A boat trip tends to be a quick trip,” Hale 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 is open. The Firehole and Madison had some hatches earlier in the day and that will continue to get better as we get into June. Pale Morning dun and Blue winged olive mayflies worked on the surface. Caddis soft hackles worked when you couldn’t find fish rising. Remember to carry bear spray!

All this warm sunshine is bringing more snow and cold water out of the mountains. The Madison this weekend is still very much a nymphing game, stonefly nymphs and smaller caddis patterns. Anything flashy to get the fish’s attention in the off color water. Streamers were all effective, again flashy and olive or brown seemed to work.”

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