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
“Bill says,” fishing was good this week. They are catching northern pike, small mouth bass and walleye. You can find northern pike shallow right now. There seem to be more than earlier. I fished the Pikemasters tournament and got 4th place. I lost to 3rd place by 2 ounces. We got very few the first ay Guys are finding them at Sanarryo but I am calling it the “dead sea” because I can’t find even one. The lake trout are biting and guys are doing well finding them at Hacksbee and at the dam. They are finding them at 60 to 65 feet. One guy today caught a 15 pound salmon. He said he caught it at 60 feet. The water is at full pool.”
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
It seems that the crappie fishing is not too bad. Walleye have been slow. Some other fishermen are finding some nice bass these days as well. It was busy this weekend.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“Crappie fishing continues to be good. The walleye have been at 6 to 9 feet. Temperature of the water is 70 degrees. The crappie seems to be shallower. They are at 20 feet now but suspended at 10 feet. Just about any presentation is working. Some people are targeting small mouth basss and doing really well. The bite is really good in the evening. It seems to be good fishing no matter what you use on the hook. Guys are using bottom bouncers or jigs. Live bait is really working.
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 Reservoireast to
Clint says,” Fishing was pretty good. For walleye people are heading toward snow creek and Sutherland creek. Lots of people are limiting out. Try using a minnow and a jig. The bottom bouncers are catching at 10 to 12 feet until the noonheat. In the morning pitch into 3 to 4 feet. For northern pike go to 3 to 4 feet. They are laying on the bank just waiting for food. For those of you wondering about the tornado we were not affected. It took power lines down between here and Jordon.
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 fishing is really good for walleye. Anything you throw in seems to be catching. They are catching on everything from cranks to jigging using spinners or minnows. People are getting their limits. Lake trout are going crazy. Go deep, 80 to 100 feet deep. People are heading to East York island or Bear Creek by the dam trolling. Walleye and northern pike are finding them anywhere. Someone caught an 18 incher. Finding lots of fish all over. Lots of little ones but bringing in their limits. Guys are able to weed out the little ones , throw them back and still find big ones.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Lots of people swimming. People are catching fish but because of the heat early morning and late evening. Often they are done fishing by 8am to beat the heat. Many kayaks and paddle boats out. Most people fishing are using lures or worms.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
Jara said,” The walleyes are hitting. They are heading to the north shore on the point. The fishermen seem to be having luck there. The water is up one foot about. One guy said the water temperature was 70 degrees yesterday during the day.” . Someone caught a 10 pound rainbow. They are mostly using worms or night crawlers. They are using spinners for walleyes. The water is warm. The water is slowly going down. People seem to be fishing toward Willow Creek and toward Red Lodge. They are having success with a spoon with some pink color.”
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Pat says, ”They are catching trout from the boat and from the shore. They were biting. People were catching trout, salmon, carp and suckers. People seemed to be doing good. The water is definitely going down. It was a busy weekend.”
Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“A few more people say they were catching fish at Deadmans. Most of them are small. They are catching from shore mostly. Spoons seem to be working. Some are catching a few from a boat. At Martinsdale people are also saying they are starting to catch some fish. Toward the dam fishing is pretty good. On Broadview pond it seems to be pretty mossy right now,” Terry said
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Scott says, “the catfish fishing is exceptional. Cut bait or crawlers are working.
Crooked Creek is picking up.
At Achley you can do well from a boat for rainbow. Use speed trolling with a leaded line.
Spring Creek is doing well. Nymphing is good. The Creek is clear. There is some dry fly action.
West of Fort Peck is doing well. Walleye are in 6 to 15 feet of water. Some are finding the bigger ones at 20 to 25 feet. Try cranks and jigs. A few people are using bottom bouncers with luck.”
Crooked Creek-Grant
The pike fishing is good at Crooked Creek. Some big ones being caught. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Good fishing toward the south end of the pond. Lots of rainbow trout, perch and walleye being caught. Mostly 2 to 4 pounds. They are mostly 12 to 14 inchers. The water is 68 degrees. Bright colors were working,” Staff 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 bite is good. They are catching walleye, northerns and small mouth bass. Try worm harnesses. Throw poppers in the shallows. The walleye are at 18 to 26 inches. The northern pike can be found at the shoreline .
At Frrchette the bite is on. It is real good early morning and late evening. The crappie bite has been outstanding. Worms are working. For walleye use a jig or a crank at varying depths. Some big pike being caught.”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,”
Fort Peck is doing well. Head to Forchette. Head to Sutherland as fishing is good there.
Crooked Creek has picked up.
The Yellowstone river is high and wild but doing well for cats.
On the Yellowtail the bass have been easy to catch. Fishing is good.
On the Tongue river people are finding it slower for the crappie. The walleye is here and there.
Fort Peck at Hell Creek is good. The walleye they tell me has turned on.
Forchette was doing well I heard.
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich’s wife says, “If the saying is right the “wild roses are blooming so the high waters are over”.
The Gallatin river is high and muddy and really fast still.
The Madison is clearer and not as high. They are catching browns above Ennis dam.
The Jefferson is more muddy. Visibility is less in the water. They are catching some nice rainbow trout.
Canyon Ferry was pretty good this week. Some nice walleye are being caught. One fellow told me you catch 50 of them and can keep 14. There have been some big walleye caught like 27 to 33 inch . Night crawlers or spinners trolling are working.
Holter is doing well at the Gates of the mountains. Rainbows and walleye are being caught. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“ The Stillwater is coming around. It is going down and clearing. It looks good. Use big dry flies. Use nymphs off the bank. It should be fishable throughout. The Yellowstone at Livingston is coming around. Watch for the water to turn from brown to bluish green. I would say in 2 to 3 days it should really improve as long as we don’t get more weather. We are seeing no hatches ye. Soon we should start seeing golden stones and yellow Sally’s “, Chris says.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“ On the Missouri the fishing is still improving. Missouri is pretty darn good. They brought the river down to 5200. The water temp is pretty cool. 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. Don’t forget your sunscreen as the sun is pretty rough. Bring your rain gear as occasional rain is happening. Hydrate as well, bring water,” Beau says.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
“The cfs is still 6500. The water is supposed to go down another 500 tomorrow (Wed.) and then again Thursday. The water is clear and temp is 52 degrees. Nymphing is good. For nymphing try an orange scud 16,14, Gray Ray in 16 or 18 or zebra midge are working. Dry fly fishing try midges or baetes. Parachute Adams in 18 to 20 also are working. The water has good clarity. For streamers go slow and deep and try zonkers,” 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 says, “ The Madison outside of the park is dropping and the water is starting to clear so fishing is improving big bug dry flyfishing is right around the corner there are a few Caddis down there so fishing has been good on most days, both nymphing and with dry flies on the cloudy calm days.
Low elevation streams in Yellowstone National Park are warming quickly with the end of snow melt. Higher elevation streams have more cold water right now and are more productive for catching trout.
It’s all about to POP! around here!”
