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. ***
(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“Bill says,” I am fishing right now at the dam looking for salmon. We are hearing that the salmon are biting. We just have not gotten into them yet
At Rock Creek the walleye fishing is good. The walleye are at 20 to 30 feet depths. They are catching them on leaches and worms. The best northern pike fishing seems to be at Rock Creek right now. . Some people are also catching bass.”
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
“Bob has had a busy week. The Marina had the fire and he is dealing with that. All I can say is the cleaning station has not been as busy as it was if that is an indicator,” Eric says.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“ Things have improved this week. I brought in a mobile home store. With that we do now have inventory. That means we are at full function. I have everything at the mobile store. Thankfully I had some inventory boxed in storage elsewhere. We will have the same hours we had. The fuel is on. We are trying to serve our customers. They need us and we are not giving up.
I have heard of a 20 pound northern pike being caught on Monday . The bass fishing is good as well. Today we are counting inventory so we can stock the building. The fire, which was electrical was devastating but we are making the best of what has happened,” Wade says.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Office Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to
Pike are being caught. The walleye fishing has slowed down. The pike are at 20 to 35 feet. Guys are using bottom bouncers and a few cranks. Worm harnesses are working. Heat is slowing things down. Try heading east toward Crooked Creek. Purple and pink colors are working at 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, ”Lots of people are catching salmon. It is getting better and better every day. We are seeing lots in the high teens to low 20’s in weight. I have seen a 22 and a 24 and a 27 and even a 29 pounder. They are using a flasher and squid or a flasher and a bucktail fly. Some are using Brad’s super bait cut plug. People are catching a lot of nice walleye as well. Some nice eaters, like 16 to 21 inches. Guys are using leeches , crawlers and minnows. For salmon they are heading to the dam or Hacksbee or York island. The walleye are being found going west towards Rock Creek or Spring Creek. “
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Others say fishing slowed with the heat. Come and try fishing early in the morning and late in the day. Fishermen are using power bait, lures or worms.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis-John
Some walleye are being caught. Shore fishing has seen a few fish being caught. They are catching a few small perch. The water level is down. You can still get on the water with a boat.
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, ” The lake is very low. The dock has been pulled. The end of the boat ramp is muddy. If you try fishing you are wading in the mud . Fishing has really slowed down. The water is lowering every day as they are working on the dam. The islands are showing now.“
Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“All I have heard is about Martinsdale. I was told some people are catching some decent brown trout. I was told that from a boat they are using rapelas and they are working. They said they are catching trout with them.” Terry said
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale explains, “ Hoppers are working on Spring Creek. Fishing is doing well.
There is moss building on the Missouri river but you can still catch some fish. The catfishing is doing well. Cut bait and crawlers are working.
On Fort Peck guys are heading west toward s Crooked Creek . Fish are at 16 to 18 feet . Try a worm harness with a night crawler or leech. Walleye are at 25 to 30 feet. Use a jig and a leach.
Crooked Creek-Grant
Walleye are being found by Crooked Creek . Decent size ones are being caught. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ Walleye are being caught and they are average size about 14 to 18 inches. them all over and not in one particular place. The perch are biting. Guys are finding them at 30 feet. Trout are being caught . The Camp-mak-a-dream Walleye Benefit is this weekend at Canyon Ferry . It is a family and friend friendly event. You can register at the Silos before at Silos Gazebo #3 from Wednesday evening to Friday night before the BBQ,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“ The water continues to be low on Nelson. It is below the concrete. People are going toward the north end. It is a bit tricky to get on. They are drawing down to do work.
At Forchette head toward Crooked Creek. It is good for walleye and crappies right now.” Jim 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 decent walleye. Sizes in the average of 12 to 14 inches. The perch are still biting. Some are nice size.
The rivers have cleared up some . The lake looks somewhat green. Night crawlers , spruce moths and grasshoppers are working. Don’t forget the hoot owl rules .
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Here is the latest news from FWP:
A hoot owl restrictions are still in effect on the Yellowstone River from Carter Bridge south of Livingston to the confluence with the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone east of Laurel. to 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 are still having hoot owl restrictions on both the Yellowstone and Stillwater right now.
You can float the Stillwater but it is not going to be easy on the lower half. If you are fishing get out early. The floating is better on the Yellowstone. Nymphing is okay. No 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 , “ Bill says.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“Fishing is still good. You will find tricots in the morning. Also try some black caddis. Nymphing seems to be a better presentation. The water is 60 degrees. They are slow starting. You will see 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. The caddis are out in the evening. 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,” Beau says.
Steven Caldwell guide
“ The water temp is up so it is warmer than it has been. Fighting fish in this dry weather is tough on the fish. Get the fish 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. The canyon water is grassy. The dam water is okay. Something to remember is if what you are using is not working don’t change the bug switch the depth. That seems to be working. Due to the fact that it is August fishing is decent. Juan worm and go slow and deep and alternate with shallow and fast. Just don’t expect the 30 fish day, it is still good fishing just slower and with less people. Try a San Check your bugs and nymph in the morning . The key is to try fishing right now is using the rule early on and early off. Try in the afternoon up at the dam to the Craig. “ Steven explains.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
The cfs is remains at 2200.Water temp is 56 degrees. When nymphing try tan and gray rays in size 16 to 18. Another bug to try is a soft tackle sow bugs or flashbacks size 16 to 18. Try PMD’s or a black caddis in the evening for drys or a tricot early in the day. People are also throwing hoppers. Try thin mints on the streams. We have some moss on the bottom. Black caddis are also working.
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
Madison
Alice says,”Cooler temperatures, a little rain and pulse flows are helping the bug activity and fish on the Upper Madison. Still seeing some PMD spinners in the mornings, spruce moths have been bringing in some nice fish as well. In the afternoons the hopper fishing has been great, look for flying ants in the next couple weeks. If you are nymphing, small dark caddis patterns have been the ticket.”
Yellowstone National Park
In Yellowstone Alice reminds us, “Don’t forget your bear spray on your hike to high elevation waters to find fish. Small attractor patterns and hoppers are the bait du jour. IF the water is approaching 70 degrees, please give those fish a break!”
