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 was not good primarily because of the weather. It was bad enough that guys could not get on the waater most of this week. We had high winds and rain an even hail. They were catching northern pike, small mouth bass and walleye before the weather hit. You just could not go out. Hopefully this week it will be good weather although it is supposed to be hot.”
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
“The crappie fishing was real good this week. The walleye have begun to bite better. The walleye have been at 6 to 9 feet. Water temp is 70 degrees. The crappie seems to be shallower. They are at 20 feet now but suspended at 10 feet. Most presentations are working. Small mouth bass are doing really well. The evening bite is very good. Guys seem to be able to catch crappies no matter what they use on the hook. Bottom bouncers and jigs are the method of choice. 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 Reservoir east to
Cody says,” Fishing has been doing quite well. Guys are heading toward snow creek, Sutherland and Crooked Creek for walleye. The pike have also been biting. The weather was a problem sometimes.. Try using a minnow and a jig. A bottom bouncer and slow death are working. Pike are also being caught especially in thee shallows. “
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, ”It has been really good fishing. Lots of walleye are being caught. You can catch a lot but you get a lot of smalls. They are catching enough that they get their limit of larger 16 t 22 inchers. You have to get on the water before the wind comes. The walleye are everywhere from Hell creek to Crooked Creek, the one between Hell Creek and here. It is really good for walleye. Anything you throw in seems to be catching. People are getting their limits. Guys are catching northern pike, lake trout and small mouth as well. Yesterday the wind came up to 20 to 30 mph and the few who dared to go out found fish in the dredge cuts out of the wind. They caught pike that were 38 to 41 inches.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
The heat is bringing people out to go swimming. The fisherman are arriving real early and catching fish but because of the heat they are gone by 8 am. They return late in the evening when the heat is less. Most people fishing are using lures or worms.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
John said,” The walleyes were starting to hit. Water temperature is 70 degrees in the heat of the day. Father’s day weekend was crazy with people recreating. Not many people fishing. The fish just did not want to come up to bite a line.”
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, ” The fish are biting. They have found fishing really, really good. They are catching, salmon and trout both from the boat and from the shore. The water is definitely going down. It was a very busy weekend.”
Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“It sounds like the fishing has picked up on Martinsdale and Deadmans . It sounds like it has gotten better from shore and boat. In boats guys are having good fishing using rapalas. They seem to be working good. ” Terry said
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “It has been good fishing but it also has been hotter than Haites. The catfish fishing is exceptional from the PM to the lake. Cut bait or crawlers are working.
Crooked Creek is picking up.
Achley is doing well. Use heavy lead line in the boat. Cranks are working for rainbow.
Spring Creek is doing well nymphing. Use an assortment of hairs ears, copper Johns an pheasant tails. Try a fly like the Adams. The Creek is clear. There is some dry fly action.”
Crooked Creek-Grant
It is good fishing at Crooked Creek. Some big ones being caught. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Right now the wind is at 30 mph right now. Fishing is good. They have headed toward the north end now for the walleye. Plenty of rainbow being caught. The walleye numbers are not huge but they are catching them toward Hole in the Wall and White Earth,” 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 very good. Crappie fishing is really good. Bring lots of worms. Lots of them.
At Nelson 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 pike are at the shoreline.”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,”
Fort Peck is doing pretty well. They have caught some nice walleye in the main lake and on points.
The Yellowstone river is clearing some. It is doing well for cats. Some bass are starting to pick up.
On the Yellowtail the bass have been easy to catch. Fishing is good.
On the Tongue river people are crappies doing well. Use fat heads and twister tails. The walleye is hit and miss.
Cooney The walleye and small mouth are doing well I am hearing.
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ I was at Fort Peck and Hell Creek. We had hail, rain and were blown off some days. In between storms the crappies were biting. You caould catch a boat load. We also went to Forchette to Crooked Cree. The walleyes were no bigger than 18 inch. We caught no bass. The storm they had there which was 80 mph winds and we found trees down and in the water at times. We did catch some northern pike.
On the rivers the water is clearing. I think the run off is over. You know what they say, the “wild roses are blooming so the high waters are over and they are blooming”.
Canyon Ferry can be good but also slow at times. People say they are biting at 8:15 pm or later. The heat of the day is really slow. “
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“ The Stillwater and Yellowstone is 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 yet. It is all floatable and is actually below normal“, 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 4000 and tomorrow is supposed to go down to 3750 . 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 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 is in great shape right now, good flows and clarity. Caddis have been seen up and down the river, with the big stoneflies mostly still in the lower river, near Ennis. Nymphing works well and when the wind quits, fish are looking for adult insects, try a dry fly! (if you need more specifics, please let me know.)
Yellowstone National Park
The west side of the park, is better fished early in the morning as the water is getting too warm in the afternoons, try Pale Morning Dun mayflies and light colored caddis patterns. It is time to start hiking into the mountains for fishing with the warmer summer temperatures.”
