Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 6.6.16
By angelamontana

Posted: June 9, 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.

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

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

“This past week they had the 2016 rock Creek walleye tournament.  Fishing seemed to be pretty good.   The 1st place team of Norman Sillerud and J.R. Rasmusan from Glasgow won with 41.92 pounds of walleye.  2nd place was won by Todd Dooley and Same Syth from Sidney with 39.44 pounds of walleye.    Some fishermen were heading south looking for walleye. The walleye seem to be deep right now.  The water temperature is 55 degrees or warmer, “ Staff said.

 

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob

Spencer says,”fishing has been pretty good.  The crappie and walleye have been good. Some are pretty big. A fair amount of walleye have been caught.  The water is at full pool.  The water temperature is prabaably close to 60 degrees. Lots of people seem to be catching.”

 

Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley

“The crappie fishing is good right now. The crappie seem to be moving, heading to  shore and the shallows. People are finding them anywhere from 10 to 25 feet of water. The bite is really good in the evening. It seems to be good fishing no matter what you use on the hook. The water temperature is 72 degrees this afternoon.   The walleye bite is slow right now. The bass bite is on fire. Mostly small mouth with a few large mouth.  It was a nice weekend.  They were mixing up what they are trying.  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

Cody says,” Fishing was fairly decent this week. Walleye are good heading toward snow creek and Timber creek.  The walleye are decent size, eater size of 6 to 8 pounders. People are catching their limits. They are really biting on minnows. For northern pike head East to Crooked Creek.  They are finding them shallow. The walleye htry a jig and a minnow or leach and pull real slow less than one mph.

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.  They are catching on everything from cranks to jigging using spinners or minnows.  Lake trout are really doing good.  Go deep, 80 to 110 feet deep.  Some are coming back with salmon when going for lake trout.  One guy came in with 5 salmon.  One was 10-11 pounds and the others were 6 to 7 pounds.  They are heading to Bear Creek and York island.  The water temp is in the 60’s and some are saying they are finding 70 degrees on the surface in places.  They are heading to Duck Creek, Bear Creek, the Pines, Gilbert Creek and Shaft House for walleye. The northern pike are close to the bank and they are catching big ones off the shore.  At Duck Creek there are lots of perch off the bank. I am stocked well now and have all the bait you need to catch the fish.”

 

Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson

“Right now lots of kids are swimming.  People have their kayaks and paddle boats out.  School is out and there are probably 250 people using Elmo today. If they fished this week they caught fish. Most people fishing are using lures or worms, “Bob said.

 

Cooney Reservoir  Glenis

John said,” The water is up. The fish are jumping on the surface.  They are catching rainbows or walleyes.  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

Tony’s wife says, ”The trout are starting to bite for some.  They are using suckers.  Some people have caught a few salmon.  The water is definitely going down.  It was a busy weekend.  It was mainly boats.”

Shore fishing has picked up some? Campers remember it is now a pay site.

 

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22

“I have heard people are catching at basin. Some say it is more hit and miss off shore. At Deadmans the guys I talked to  said the fish they caught were keepers but not big in size.  At Martinsdale guys are saying one day is in spurts.  I am not hearing much from boat fishermen mostly shore fishing.  Broadview pond is looking mossy,” Terry said

 

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

Scott says, “the fish are biting.  Crooked Creek is picking up for walleye and crappies. Rock Creek is not too bad.

At Nelson and McGuire is good fishing right now.  Go real deep.

At Achley rainbow trout are good. Use speed trolling with a repalla.  People are using power bait a lot.

Spring Creek is murky and the bite is slow.

The East Fork the pike are biting.  It is picking up for bass.  Head toward Dry Blood. Going north to Winnet.  Use a crawler on the top of the water.”

 

Crooked Creek-Grant

The pike fishing has been picked up at Crooked Creek. Some nice ones being caught. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

 

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

“The are having good luck toward the south end of the pond. Lots of rainbow trout, perch and walleye being caught.  They are mostly 12 to 14 inchers. The water is 62 degrees. They were using bottom bouncers, flicker shades and trolling.  Bright colors were working,” 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 bite is picking up. The water is at full pool.  Walleye have been at 15 to 26 feet down. Use bottom bouncers. worm harnesses or cranks.  If the wind blows pick the cranks close to shore.

On Forchette use a slow presentation.  People are catching using a jig  with gulp for walleye. Look for 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.

 

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen

McCahen says,”

The Yellowstone river is really flowing hard.  The catfish fishing I hear is good. No particular place is better than another just in the 10 mile area right outside of Billings.

On the Tongue river people are hammering the crappie. The fishing was real good. Bass fishing was good this week but the walleye is hit and miss.

Fort Peck at Hell Creek is good. The walleye they tell me has turned on.

Rock Creek seems to have slowed up.

Forchette was doing well fishing I heard.

At Nelson a few northerns are being caught. ”

 

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Rich says, “The Gallatin river is high and muddy and really fast.  They got rain high in the mountains so that will make it stay that way.

The Madison is clear and not as high.  They are catching browns above Ennis dam.

The Jefferson is good.  There is visibility for 2 feet down 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 inches.  Night crawlers or spinners trolling are working.

Holter is doing pretty well at the Gates of the mountains.  Some perch, rainbows and walleye are being caught.  Pretty much a little of everything. ”

 

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

“It is just way too warm. The Stillwater is way up.  It is turning.  It started turning on Sunday.  The Yellowstone fishing is muddy and trashy.  There may be places for the diehard fisherman to try but not the novice.  But everything is pretty muddy.  With this heat there will be more snow melt runoff for sure.    It is dirty and muddy.  Try using a nymph.    We are seeing no hatches as the water is so fast.  The bridge at Columbus has some water at the edge of the bank so it is definitely going up.  Mystic, Diamond and the Rose Bud would be a better place to fish, “Bill 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 7000. The water is clear. The water temp is 52 degrees.    Nymphing is good.  For nymphing try an orange scud 16,14, Gray Ray in 18 or 14, Black midge Pupa, two ton worm  or tan soft tackle 16, 14.  are bringing success. Dry fly fishing try midges or baetes.  For streamers try black and blond and some say real white,” 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, “Yellowstone National Park fishing is open.

Warm temperatures and sunshine equal more snowmelt and high off color water on the Madison. Nymphing has been good, fish are eating stonefly patterns and flashy small nymphs. As the water clears the dry fly fishing should pick up.  In YNP, the Firehole river has fished well earlier in the day on pale morning dun dries and caddis throughout the afternoon. At the Firehole in the Park we are seeing some salmon flies right now.

Remember to carry bear spray!”

 

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