Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 7.4.16
By angelamontana

Posted: July 7, 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

“Linda says,” Someone caught a nice walleye this week that was in 20 to 25 feet.   Fishing has been good. Small mouth   have been biting in shallow water like 4 to 6 feet.  Any color seems to be working.  They are using bottom bouncers in the 70 degree water.  The pike caught have been small.  They have found them in 8 to 18 feet of water.   ”

 

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob

“The  fishing seems to be good all around.  Saturday was a great day for catching.  The cleaning station was busier than ever and people had lots to clean.  Lots of crappies being caught. A few walleye and bass caught but mostly crappies ,” Bob says.

 

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

“ Crappie fishing has been real good.  They are in the shallows at 5 to 20 feet depths.  Lots of people catching their limits.  Some fishermen are getting   walleye.  The crappie   are almost at the shore around structures. A tub jig or crawlers seem to be working the best either from   boat or shore.  The small mouth bass fishing has been good.  Only a few northern have been caught.   The water temperature is   70  degrees.  ,” 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

clint says,” Fishing has been decent.  On the fourth pike and bass seemed to be what peple were catching.  The walleye was slow. The east wind has been blowing and that seems to slow the bite for walleye.  Thursday was awesome.  It was all over not just in one place.  They were 15 to 22 feet using bottom bouncers with a crawler or a leech.  The bass have been shallow on top of humps .  Try the usual blue and silver.  For pike try something brown with a crawdad.   ”

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, ”We had a very busy fishing weekend. We had a nice weather week.  The walleye bite brought lots of little ones. One guy did catch a 34 inch walleye .They were catching lots of northerns.  The pike seem to be shallow.   The water temperature is 65 to 70 degrees.  Many are heading west to the pines.  In the evening they are catching at Bear Creek and Duck Creek.   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

Most people are   fishing  real early. and you can catch fish.  Most guys are going home  by 8 am. They return late in the evening when the heat is less.  Try   lures, power bait  or worms.

 

Cooney Reservoir  Glenis-John

John said,”  There were lots of boats on Cooney this week with the holiday.    They are catching walleye from the boat.  The  fishing   has been pretty good but slowed a bit.  One fellow today caught a rainbow trout that was 7 pounds.  He was using worms and leeches.   Worms are working for walleye.   “  The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon.

I also received another report from someone else who said cow bells were working.  He said the big walleye seem to be slow in biting but lots of little ones were caught at 8 to 19 feet. He was headed toward  Rock Creek.”

 

Deadmans  Tony Stefani

Tony says, ”  Lots and lots of people were here this week.  We were packed. The recreational boaters were everywhere and so the fish were less active   They are catching a few  salmon  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

Dale   explains, “   Spring Creek is clear and  is fishing well.  Use nymphs and dry flies.

On the Missouri river   the  catfish fishing is hot from the PM to the lake    Use cut bait or crawlers.

Achley is doing well early in the morning and late evening.   The boat fishing is good and they are doing well for walleye.  People seem to be using just about anything to catch them”

 

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

“  Fishing is good. Head to the north end  to White Earth and North of Goose Bay   now for the walleye.  Use bright colors.  Crank baits and bottom bouncers. The rainbow  are all over and people are catching them everywhere. They are 2 to 3 pounds.   The water temperature is   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, “ Crappie fishing  on Forchette  is furious.  You are too busy taking crappies and putting worms on the line to try for any other type of fish.  It is just crazy fishing.

The bite is good to excellent on Nelson.  Perch are really active.  They are finding   walleye   at 18 to 22 feet.  Guys are catching    some nice walleye.”

Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

 

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen

Mike says,” Fort Peck has been decent fishing.  Try bottom bouncers or troll with cranks.

The Yellowstone river is clearer. Cats are doing well.   The   bass are also biting.

On the Tongue river the crappie bite is okay I hear.  Quite a few bass being caught.  Only a few walleye are being caught .

The Yellowtail has been pretty good for small mouth right now.

 

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Rich says, “On Canyon Ferry they were catching lots of little walleye.   Try worms and foam floaters for the best results using a bottom bouncer.  Bring lots of worms.

The rivers are getting mossy and are definitely lower.  On the Madison hoot  owl  rules are in effect. Check your rules before going as other places also have some hoot owl restrictions.   On all three of them they are catching some nice trout.

I heard Dailey  is doing pretty good. ”

 

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

“ The flows are stable.  Stillwater and Yellowstone are clear.  Really watch the water temperature.  Geton the water early and get off early so as not to stress the fish.    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 above Absarokee is getting bonny so floating will not work as well.   Guys are putting in a White Bird. “, Chris  says.

 

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

“  On the Missouri the fishing is good.  The tricot are now showing up.  The fish are feeding on the surface.  Seeing some caddis and PMD’s. Use a big pheasant tail to catch them.  Some beadheads are working.  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 water and more water because of the heat,” Beau says.

 

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

“Fishing is very good.  The cfs is  still  2500 today. The hatches are mostly PMDs .  Wading spots have improved and are more noticeable. 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. For streamers   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 Upper Madison is fishing great right now, plenty of cool water being released from the Hebgen Dam. Caddis, PMD’s and small stoneflies are throughout the upper river, with Salmonflies still bringing up some big fish in the wade stretch above Lyons Bridge. Please remember the Hoot Owl Hour restrictions in the Lower Madison, from the Ennis dam down to the mouth.  This means a mandatory closure from 2pm to midnight on the lower Madison from the Ennis dam to the mouth.

 

Yellowstone National Park:

High elevation streams are shaping up well, although these passing thunderstorms can blow them out quick, have a Plan B.  Larger rivers in the park have stonefly hatches right now and smaller streams should see caddis and PMD’s this week.

Carry your raincoat and bear spray! . ”

 

 

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