Happy 4th of July please stay safe.
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.
(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“Linda says,” fishing has been good for some. One fellow just came in and had caught a 20 inch walleye, another small walleye and one northern pike that was a keeper. People are heading south to fish and then a little north. Going south the water temperature is 55 degrees and going north is 68 degrees. The biggest issue is wind. We have had so much wind the last 2 weeks really the whole month and it has not helped fishing. The other night we had trees come down. We actually had a trailer that flipped at Nelson. So we are spending the day today doing clean up after the winds. ”
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
“The crappie fishing has been good. I’ve been told that the fishermen have caught a few bass and walleye. Not many northern pike being caught right now. The water is high and just spilled over the dam recently,” Bob says.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“ Today some guys targeting bass out there caught 40 bass, threw back 30 and kept 10 nice ones. Not a bad day fishing. Some fishermen are getting their limit of walleye today. The crappie are almost at the shore. They are at 5 to 20 feet. Using a tub jig or crawlers are working from both boat and shore. The water temperature is 72 degrees. One fellow mentioned black jigs were working for walleye,” Wade says.
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 east to
Staff says,” Fishing has been good. On the ladies tournament last weekend the big win was 27 and a half pounds. We did see 27 and 28 inchers. We had wind those days and 4 to 6 foot tall waves. Lots of 24 inch walleyes. Several people got their limits. Every king of bait is working right now.”
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, ”Fishing is still good. The walleye bite is really good. The water temperature is 65 to 70 degrees. Guys are going west to the pines. In the evening they are catching at Bear Creek and Duck Creek. Lots of walleye are being caught. You can catch a lot but you get a lot of smalls. The Lake trout are doing good too. Try targeting them with flashers with a squid and a spoon going 70 to 120 feet.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Lots of people swimming. Fish real early and you can catch fish. Due to the heat the fishing is done by 8 am. They return late in the evening when the heat is less. Try using lures or worms.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
John said,” The fishing has been pretty good. They are catching rainbows, walleye and even a couple of burbot. They are using spinners for trout and worms are working for walleye. I will say the fishermen are going really , really early . The boaters are so active the rest of the day and into the night that the fish are hiding. Just a reminder it is illegal to drink and boat. “ The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, ” The fishing has been decent I hear. The water level is going down but not dangerous just the normal lowering. The weather has been hot and it has been dry here. They are catching, salmon and trout both from the boat and from the shore.”
Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“I’m hearing fishing picked up on Martinsdale and Deadmans . Deadmans seems to have picked up more this week. Use a shiny spinner with a worm. A few are using a worm and marshmallow from shore. On Martinsdale guys are using cowbells and getting some fish. I hear a few kokanee were caught, ” Terry said
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie explains, “ Spring Creek is good for fishing. Use bright spinners like chartreuse in color. Try bead heads, pheasant tails or prince nymphs.
The river catfish fishing is good from the PM to the lake Cut bait or crawlers are working.
Crooked Creek finds people catching crappies and walleye. Try going to 20 to 40 feet depths using gold and silver cranks.
Achley is doing well. Try a spinner on the hook for the walleye. Try a pink lightening, black slippers or a mosquito fly. Use heavy lead line in the boat.”
Crooked Creek-Grant
It is very good fishing at Crooked Creek right now. Some big ones being caught. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ There are still fish left in the ocean or Canyon Ferry. Fishing is good. Head to the north end. Head to White Earth and North of Goose Bay now for the walleye. The rainbow are all over. The water temperature is headed to 70 degrees,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “ Forchette is still good fishing.
The bite is good on Nelson. They are finding them at 18 to 25 feet. Guys are catching 16 to 18 inch walleye. Try pink and chartreuse and bright colors. The pike are at the shoreline.
I was at Canyon Ferry this past week. I found fish at the pre fishing. I caught a 7 and a 9. The natural colors seemed to be working but of course the days I needed the fish it did not happen for me.”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,”
Fort Peck is doing really well. Guys are heading to Snow Creek. On the main lake fish the points. Go shallow using a night crawler at 8 feet. They are catching at the dam.
The Yellowstone river is clearing more. Cats are doing well. The bass are starting to pick up.
On the Tongue river crappies are still being caught. The walleye are hit and miss. Just hard to find.
On Cooney the walleye are being caught on night crawlers and using cranks.
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “On Canyon Ferry it was real windy this week. Try worms and foam floaters for the best results using a bottom bouncer.
The rivers are cleared. On all three of them they are catching some nice trout. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“ The Stillwater and Yellowstone are clear. They are still doing good. Try using a Chernobyl for dry fly action on the Stillwater. Or drop an attractor off the back using a PMD. Try a yellow Sally. Seeing caddis in the evening. They are catching lots with nymphs.
On the Yellowstone try a Jack Cabe or chubbies. People are using a lot of girdle bugs and large nymphs. Also try batman, princes and copper Johns. The Stillwater is a 1300. It was 2,000 last week so it has dropped. The only concern is from Cliff swallow to Johnson Brige tends to be rocky. It is a little thin. Guys are putting in a White Bird. “, Ed says.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“ On the Missouri the fishing is good. They river is down. The fish are feeding on the surface. Seeing some caddis and PMD’s. Try some sow bugs or a PMD. I’m getting a lot of big rainbows and catching a few browns. You will need your rain gear as rain shows off and on. Drink lots of water, hydrate,” Beau says.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
“The cfs is 2500 today. We are seeing hatches, some PMD action. Wading spots have improved and are more noticeable. Water temp is 52 degrees. Nymphing is good. For nymphing try an orange scud 16,14, Gray Ray in 16 or 18, a BP3 or zebra midge are working. Some are having success with a two tone worm sow. Dry fly fishing try midges or baetes. Parachute Adams in 18 to 20 also are working. The water has good clarity and is fishing well. For streamers go slow and deep and try zonkers,” 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 says, “
The Madison is fishing great. It is in great shape now. You will see salmon flies on a float. There are May flies and caddis throughout the float. There are good flows and clarity on the water. Nymphing works well right now.
YNP
The fishing is doing well. I would head higher to fish. Not seeing any hatches. The high streams would be better fishing as the lower water is too hot for action. ”