Report 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 still a few waters that have been placed on hoot owl restrictions and the Yellowstone is open in some places but is still closed in areas in the Livingston area. 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,” The weather changed the Labor Day weekend fishing. Not many fishermen here as they came but left early because of the wind and downpour of rain this week. If they stayed and fished they found it slow for walleye. The pike they found to be very aggressive biting through steel leaders . At this point there is no problem getting in and out on the road.”

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Bob says,” Pretty amazing fishing this week. The cleaning station is up and running now. They were catching a lot of fish and pretty much all the species. They were catching from shore or boat. I saw people catching lots of bass, northern pike, walleye and some crappies. Really, I would say pretty much no species of fish not caught this week. ”

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

“The fishing never slowed up this week. People were catching some nice walleye in the 2 to 3 pound size. They are finding some walleye at 8 to 15 feet depths dragging a jig with a twister tail. I saw a really nice crappie. I couldn’t weigh it because the scale burned up in the fire but it was the biggest one I have seen this year. They are also catching bass as well. I am open. Stop in and pick of your supplies. I have fuel, bait, ice, beer, pop and groceries,” Wade says.

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 not too bad this week. Some fishermen were catching northern pike bass and a few walleye. The walleye fishing has been slow. They are heading west and east which seem to be where they are finding them. Try cranks for northern pike with blue and silver. Use fire tigers. A little success is found jigging. We did get 1 ½ inche of rain over the weekend. “
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, ” Guys are still catching salmon and fishing remains good. Salmon sizes range from 8 to 25 pounds. Most of them are 12 to 20 pounds. Use flashers and squids. The guys are heading to the dam and toward Hacksbee Point . Find them in depths from 115 feet to 180 feet. For walleyes the guys are going 25 to 35 feet. A few guys are catching them on minnows and crawlers but spinners are working right now. “

Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
“ When I look out at Elmo today I see people fishing and the fishermen are catching fish. The cooler weather is helping the fishing. The water level is good. The ospreys are catching fish as well, “ Bob says.

Minnow Bucket
Catfish tournament sponsored by the Minnow bucket is this weekend. Call to get more information.
Fishing on the Yellowstone is good for catfish and some bass toward Hysham. The Yellowstone River is NOT TOTALLY closed. It is open toward Hysham. From Laurel to the East (Billings, Huntley, Custer, on to North Dakota) the river is OPEN TO ALL RECREATION! Bass fishing has been great, catfish and sauger are picking up.

Cooney Reservoir Jennifer
Jennifer explains, ” The water level is very low and is still dropping. You can only get small boats in. The Red Lodge dock has been pulled. The North Shore Marshall Cove dock is closed. You can get in on the the arm of Red Lodge but it is not recommended. The parking lot on the North shore is closed to the 8th of September because of sealing. It is a temporary inconvenience. I did see two different groups fishing from shore. One man got one trout and the other had 3 trout. “
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon.

Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, ” Friday we had weather that was windy and rainy. Even with Labor day it was pretty quiet this week. Fishermen are catching some trout and salmon. Big boats can NOT get in. The shore is muddy. You must walk through the mud to get to your boat in the water. The lake is very low. The dock has been pulled. The water is still dropping and will be until November . DNRC is still working on the dam. “
Campers remember it is now a pay site.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Low waters have made fishing difficult at Martinsdale. I have heard that fishing is not good as waters are low.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie explains, “ At Achley the water is clear and is fishing is well . You can still launch. Troll in 20 feet of water. They are catching tiger muskies. Try cranks and spinners and troll 2 to 2 ½ mph. The tigers are 18 to 26 inches. Rainbows are being caught in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Spring Creek is slow and fishing well. Fall patterns are working. Bead head nymphs, princes and the chartreuse colors are working.

The Missouri has too much moss to fish right now around here. “

Crooked Creek-Grant
Walleye are being caught at Crooked Creek . Eater size are being caught. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“You can still find walleye on the reervior. They are pretty much all over the lake. Most are at 12 to 20 feet deep. Find the perch at 30 feet depths, “ Sharon says.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

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

“ Nelson’s fishing is slow . Launching can be done on the north end off the island. They have stopped drawing off the water. A few walleye and perch are being caught. .

At Forchette the fish are deeper now. Go to depths of 25 to 35 feet. Some are catching walleye right now, just not hammering them. No one was catching their limits. Not a run away for fish right now. One guy was trying cranks. He caught 4 in a whole day measuring 24 to 31 inches. Big but not many ” Jim said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
Dan says,” On the Tongue guys are catching bass, crappies and walleyes. It is doing fairly well.
On the Yellowstone going East the bass fishing has been hot. Catfish are being caught all over. The sauger fishing is picking up. Due to the rain in the last two days it is cloudy but it should clear up quickly.
For Yellowtail bass fishing remains strong. Use tube jigs.
The Stillwater has been good fly fishing people are saying.
At Cooney some guys are catching some perch and trout.
The two day Catfish tournament sponsored by the Minnow Bucket is this weekend . The entry amount is $200. Call 406-696-1281 for information. “

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “At Canyon Ferry walleye are being caught. Some bigger ones are being caught. One person caught a nice perch right off of Silos and not in very deep water. One guy I know caught 3 walleye over 10 pounds and caught them in 45 minutes in 8 feet of water. He would not tell where he caught them on or on what. A fisherman’s secret I guess.
The rivers are open except the Jefferson. The rivers are awfully low. I hear they are not fishing very well.”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Bill says, “ We are now fishing on the Yellowstone as they lifted the restriction here . Fireman’s Point and Whitebird are fishing well. We are seeing hoppers coming on at around 3 pm. On the Stillwater the flow is low and so floating is not good. You can just wade to fish.”

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

“Fishing is the same it is still good. It is not quite as busy. There is still a good tricot hatch. It is not as prolific. It used to be at 7:30 am in the morning but now it is showing up at 9:30 am or so. I think it is because of the cooler weather. Nymphing is also a good presentation. There is some hopper action. For hoppers you have got to work at it. Sow bugs and worms are there some tall grass pushing the water up. It is changing the fast water some. For dry flies use black cadis and grasshoppers. After that use nymphs and grasshoppers , ” Beau says.

Steven Caldwell guide
Unable to contact last week’s report.
“ Fishing is good. The tricot and hopper bite varies daily. The canyon water is grassy. The dam water is clearer. The fishing is decent use San Juan worms. Go slow and deep. Then alternate with shallow and fast. Just don’t expect the numbers . it is still good fishing just slower and with less people. Check your bugs and nymph in the morning , “ Steven explains.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

Rick says, “ The tricot hatch has been good. The cfs is 2200 and the water is 58 to 59 degrees. For spinners try size 18 to 22 and duns at 16 to 20 sizes. On cloudy days try the black caddis in the evening. The nymphs are not so good. Try the San Juan worm and the black pheasant tail or Gray or tan Rays. Try thin mints on the streams. For streamers try a dirty hippy or something really colorful. Try bigger bugs after 3 mile as the bugs are bigger. ”
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 weather and rained has helped all our rivers in SW Montana and Yellowstone National Park. The Madison is still fishing well with nymphs and some dries on warmer afternoons. Start to look for Blue Winged Olive Mayflies on the surface mid day. Warm windy afternoons should still have trout looking for terrestrials down in the valley.

Yellowstone National Park
Lower elevation streams are beginning to fish well again with the cooler evenings. Caddis and mayfly nymphs have provided the action this past week. High elevation streams and lake are also productive with fish still looking for ants and hoppers in the afternoons. Remember to read the most update to date information on current road conditions in the park and carry your bear spray!