COMPILED BY Carol Henckel

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.

***Please be aware that there are many waters that have been placed on hoot owl restrictions. Check the FWP site for further information as waters may be placed on or off restrictions after this report is submitted. ***

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

“Linda says,” fishing has been picking up. They are catching bass, walleye, and northern pike. The bass fishing has been good. Pink seems to be the popular color but others say anything is working. Try a jig and a worm. The heat have had an effect as well as the storms we had at night early in the week. We even had a hail dtorm last Saturday. Things seemed to change in the middle of the week. The last three days the fish have really been biting, anywhere from 15 to 40 feet. It seems every day is a different place. The fish are active at the dam someone caught a huge trout. Lots of fish are being caught there as well.

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
“ We have had a busy week. We had a dry lightning strike fire at the Rosebud battlefield. It is out now but it kept us busy. The other news is that the Marina had a fire. It is now closed. The park facilities are open. People are coming and catching some nice fish. I talked to a fisherman who fishes really early and he caught a walleye that was really big. It looked like it was about 12 pounds ,” Bob says.

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

“ We have had a rough week. We had a fire in the marina. We closed at 6pm on Thursday. A fire was found at 8:30 p.m. in the marina. We waited for firefighters from Hardin. It took quite a while as they are a distance away. At this point they think it was an electrical fire. We had been doing inventory this week and had a lot more. I had actually told my guys how we had kicked butt and now we were starting to make a little profit. I have not ever had to deal with something like this. We are just shut down. We have no power and have to wait for the final word from the insurance. I am looking for a concession trailer to lease so we can get something up and going. If you know of one please call . That would help a lot.
I can’t tell you a lot about the fishing. I can say I was up there earlier today and there was a long line waiting to use the cleaning station. So they must be still biting. Fishing was really good before all of this. I saw a northern pike that was 41 inches and 20 pounds,” Wade says.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Office Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to
Cody explains,” There have been quite a few pike being caught. Walleye fishing has slowed down. The pike are a bit small and at 20 to 35 feet. You can get into them. They are using bottom bouncers and a few cranks. Worm harnesses are working. Pink was the color two weeks ago but I have not heard if it is still now. is pretty good. The heat is slowing things down a little. The tournament was won by 53 pounds. I don’t have the winners names but know it was a 17 and 19 year old from Billings. Guys are going east of Crooked Creek. It seems to be good there. Purple and pink are colors that are working but others say just about anything is working. Try depths of 25 to 35 feet.”
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 says, ”People are catching lots of fish. The lake trout are biting. You can catch lake trout and salmon. The lake trout are at 100 to 105 feet depths. The salmon are at 60 to 80 feet depths. Some guys are getting their limits. Use the usual flashers and squids. We got 5 salmon with sizes from 19.6 to 14. We also got 7 lake trout. Lots of fishing going on. I do have herring here now. “

Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
The hot heat has slowed fishing and made swimming the thing to do. The guys who want to fish are trying early morning and late in the day fishing. Fishermen are using power bait, lures or worms.

Cooney Reservoir Glenis-John
John said,” we had a busy weekend especially Sunday. There were lots of recreational boats. Fishing has been slow. The fish are just not biting. I have seen a few fish caught from shore. They are catching a few small perch and a few walleye. Water level is going down. You can still get on the water with a boat. The water is getting pretty warm with 90 degree air temperatures. ”
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon.

Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, ” Fishing has really slowed down. The heat is making the fish go lower. I would if I could. The water is going down. “
Campers remember it is now a pay site.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“It is just too hot to fish. If they are fishing they are fishing deep. Those who do fish I hear are getting one here and one there nothing the same in technique. The heat has made fishing talk not happening, ” Terry said

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale explains, “ On Spring Creek fishing is doing well. They are taking them on hoppers.

The Missouri river is now mossy. It is starting to build. The catfishing is doing well. Use cut bait and crawlers when you find a hole.
On Fort Peck guys are going west toward s to Crooked Creek and Devils Creek. Fish are at 15 to 18 feet . Use a worm harness with a night crawler or leech. For walleye head to 25 to 30 feet deep with a jig and a leach”, Dale says.

Crooked Creek-Grant
Word is that guys are catching walleye out at Crooked Creek . Nice ones are being caught. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ Lots of numbers of walleye being caught. The average size is 14 to 18 inches. They catching them all over and not in one particular place. Fishing has been good for perch as well . Guys are finding them at 30 feet or so. A 12 “ was caught. Trout that are being caught are 2 to 3 pounds. So that makes fishing good. Don’t forget the Camp-mak-a-dream Walleye Benefit is at Canyon Ferry on August 13th. It is a family and friend friendly event. You can register at the Silos before or from Wednesday evening to Friday night before the BBQ. Call Carol at 406- 633-2598 for information,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611

“ The water is low on Nelson. It is below the concrete. It is a bit tricky to get on. They are drawing down to do some work. Fishing is good for walleye. Use a bottom bouncer or a crank bait. Pretty much any color is working. Bottom bouncers with worms or leaches are working.

At Forchette they are catching crappies, walleye and northerners. I have seen an 8 and a 10 pound walleye being caught,.” Rocky said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” There are Stillwater and Yellowstone fishing restrictions because of low water.
Spin fishing has been working on Yellowtail for bass.

On Tongue we are hearing a lot of bass are being caught as well as pike. They are catching them late in the evening.

Fort Peck is fishing real well. Try depths of 15 to 25 feet for finding fish. The walleye are scattered. Use spinners and worm harnesses. For bigger fish try cranks using orange colors.

For Yellowtail bass fishing is good. Use tube jigs. The walleye fishing is slow.

The Yellowstone river is doing well for bass and catfish. “

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ Fishermen at Canyon Ferry are catching lots of walleye. Sizes in the average of 10 to 12 inches. The perch are biting and they are good size.
The rivers are all cleared up. There is not as much moss. Night crawlers , spruce moths and grasshoppers are working. Don’t forget the three rivers are in hoot owl at this time. ”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

Here is the latest news from FWP:
A hoot owl restrictions will apply on the Yellowstone River from Carter Bridge south of Livingston to the confluence with the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone east of Laurel. wo southern Montana tributaries to the Yellowstone River already are under hoot-owl restrictions, They are the Stillwater River downstream of Cliff Swallow fishing access site and the Boulder River downstream from the Natural Bridge.

“ We have hoot owl restrictions on both the Yellowstone and Stillwater right now.
If you are fishing get out early. The floating is good on the Yellowstone. Nymphing is not bad. Fry flies are also also doing well. We are not seeing any specific hatches. Stay on the bottom or in shady spots in the heat . The Yellowstone is fishing okay. On the Stillwater get on early because of the hoot hour restrictions. The floating is pretty tight in places. Some places are tough to get on , “ Chris says.

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

“ The water is 60 degrees. The tricot are out in the morning. They are slow starting. There are some hopper action. The float is grassy from 3 mile down . There is still so much grass you have to clean the line if you are trying to nymph fish. You really just can’t nymph right now. The caddis are out in the evening. Beginner fishermen find that really frustrating and difficult. For dry fly action use black cadis and grasshoppers. After that use nymphs and grasshoppers. We are attracting some big browns and lots of rainbows. Remember to hydrate by drinking water,” Beau says.

Steven Caldwell guide
There is no hoot owl restrictions on the Missouri. The water is warmer and is 66 to 67 degrees. Remember these things when fishing with the heat. On a hot day don’t fight. Force them in fast. Fighting in this dry weather and water is tough on the fish. Bring them in faster and get them back in the water soon. Even if doing that means dropping the fish it is better for the fish. The tricot and hopper vary daily. Try the tricot in the morning and watch for the spinner at 9 to 10:30 am. There is moss right now. Check your bugs and nymph in the morning . The key to fishing right now is early on and early off. The other way is to start fishing at 4 pm and get off the water after dark. Caddis fishing is not the best. Try in the afternoon up at the dam to the Craig. At the canyon it is weedy., “ Stephen explains.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

“The cfs is still at 2200. They are telling us it will change very little. Water temp is 56 degrees. For nymphs use gray and tan rays size 16 to 18 or soft tackles sow bugs or flashbacks size 16 to 18. For dries use a PMD , a black caddis in the evening and a tricot early in the day. People are throwing hoppers. The fish are looking for them and not seeing many jumping hoppers so they are taking the bait. Try thin mints on the streams. We have moss on the bottom but do not have the grass we had on the top of the water like we had last year. black caddis are working,” 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, “Luckily we have cold water on the Upper Madison but I would still say fish early. Still seeing some mayfly spinners in the mornings and fishing terrestrials once the heat of the day hits. Keep fish in the water as long as possible and let ’em go.
Yellowstone National Park,

It is all about fishing early in the day and hiking to cooler water up in the elevations. Beetles, ants and hoppers are all winners this week. Get those fish back in the water as quick as possible and be bear aware on all rivers and streams in Yellowstone National Park.