The changes into fall with snow and rain weather means fishermen should stay aware. The weather and water levels have changed drastically. 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 will 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
“Bill says,” Fishing is good still. It has been good for northerns and bass. A few salmon have been caught. Some were found along the shore. We are trolling for northern in 10 feet of water. The water temperature is 56 degees. We did not get the snow and we had some very sunny days . The guys are heading to San Arroya and a 15 pounder was caught there. The docks are now pulled. As of Oct. 1 the marina is closed. You can still get gas if someone is around and we will still have cabins for rent. So some services will be available if one of us is around.”
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Spencer says,” this week it has been snowy and cold. The fish cleaning station is closed. After October 14th we will have only camper points 1 to 8 to the north and 9 to 11 open. The camp sites are now first come first serve. It looked like pretty good fishing this week. Crappies were caught this week. No walleye found this week. One really nice largemouth bass was caught probably about 5 pounds. The water is down but the fishing isn’t too bad. ”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“ There was some wind this week. On Saturday the weather was really nice. People were fishing. I think crappies were still being caught. I really was not around to see how many.”.
We are back in the marina. Stop by and see the season end inventory sales,” Wade says.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to
I heard fishing was not great this week. The weather with rain and snow made fishing difficult. There was definitely mud problems. If they fish it is best for northern pike and bass. Clint explained last week that the cats are layering at 8 to 12 feet depths. Use cranks for northerns he said. He explained the small mouth are deeper at 14 to 18 feet and you can find them in the rock piles. Walleyes seem to be unpredictable.
We are open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm now.
The park manager for Hell Creek State Park is Marina Matheson. “
Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597
Staff say, ” It has been cold and gloomy here. We did not get snow. We had a temperatures of 36 degrees. The lake has cooled down so the lake trout are starting. Salmon fishing is still good. They are snagging them. The average salmon size is about 13 to 20 pounds. The weather has brought some salmon in the bay..“
Cooney Reservoir -Glennis
Glennis explains, ” Some walleye are being caught. The water is really low. Fishing seems to be good from shore. Guys are catching trout using the usual night crawlers and power bait. We have pulled all the docks. The Marshall launch is closed. “
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, “There really has not been fishermen here. Lots of hunters. I did see one fisherman who brought his small aluminum boat. He had to go through the mud. The mud is deep like 5 to 6 inches right now because of the weather. It is just hard to get anywhere. Guys were catching a few salmon before. The water is real low. The dock has been pulled.”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “We have like 8 to 10 inches of snow so no one was heading out. The pond is really low right now and I don’t know if that will change that. It has been pretty slow fishing as no one is getting out.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “We have gotten 8 more inches of snow so it has been really nasty. The creek is blown out. It is impossible to get out. When it settles down it is going to be really muddy. Obviously no one wants to be out there.“
Crooked Creek-Grant
Spoke to someone who said the muddy conditions with the weather made fishing very difficult at Crooked Creek. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ Again the weather has made fishing difficult. If you were able to get out the trout fishing has been awesome. The trout have been 3 to 5 pounds. They are going eat towards Confederate. Some perch were caught. Walleyes not so much. We had some really high winds. I mean really huge winds. There is enough water to launch here by Silos. The water is 3 to 3 ½ foot out of the bay. Make sure you stay to the north, “ Sharon says.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“ I was at Nelson earlier in the week. Nelson is up some. Fishing is spotty. It is like this, if you happen to get there on the right day you will catch fish. You have to get there on the right day and in the right spot and use just the right bait. I was really surprised what Nelson was like. I have fished Nelson for years. This was life fishing it like never before. Some guys were in and said the ramp has water now up to the bottom of the ramp. Boats are heading to thed north end towards State park ramp to put in. The water at Nelson of course has been low. Launching is very difficult, ” Don said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” We are hearing that guys are catching sauger at Berry’s landing. They are using shiver minnow or jigging wraps on Yellowtail.
On the Yellowstone river the water is up. It is definitely muddy. The cats bite has is still happening.
Guys are still telling us that they are catching some walleye from a boat or from shore at Cooney
On the Tongue this weekend the crappie were still being caught.
At the dam at Fort Peck the lake trout are just starting. “
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ I went fishing at Fort Peck on Crooked Creek this week. It was extremely muddy. It rained for 3 days. When we fished you could not see 2 inches in the water it was so muddy. We had 3 boats and after the rain we caught one 11 inch walleye.
The rivers have come up. That’s all three of them, the Jefferson, Gallatin, and Madison. On Sunday I heard the fly fishing was good on the Gallatin.”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Chris tells us, “The weather definitely changed things. The cold and snow meant everyone stayed home. Floating on the Yellowstone was good before this snow. I still would use streamers when it warms up, just pick according to the water for color. The black bugger or the Grinch has been working. On the Stillwater fishing is pretty much just wading. The Stillwater is low and wading is the norm but it seems to be coming up a little . The Stillwater did have a little color. Try a fat Frank hopper in the middle of the day. Use a nymph like a copper john or pheasant tail. We are still doing float trips, just call the shop. Our hours now are 9 to 5 Monday to Saturday and 9 to 1 pm on Sunday. ”
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“It is still decent river fishing . The cfs went up. That caused more grass to break loose. There are still a few tricot hatches around noon. A pseudo hatch also starts around noon. Streamers are working pretty well. The cloudier weather helps. I think below the lower access it will be too muddy to fish now for a while,” Beau says.
Steven Caldwell guide
“Nymphing has been good fishing. Use the always popular San Juan worm or the favorite may fly nymph. I am seeing a baetes hatch around noon now. You can pick up fish with streamers right now and do well. Go to the dam. Head to Wolf Creek. At the bridge stay alert. The Canyon is good fishing, “ Steven explains.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Stephanie says, “Like everywhere else we had snow. Fishing was still good before the storm. The cfs is up to 2500 now. There is some grass in the water. They are still seeing trico and baetes . Nymphing is slower now. Use the thin mints and dirty hippies on the streams. Black caddis patterns are 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,” West Yellowstone and I had a strange day today. West Yellowstone did not get snow as everyone else did. I fly fished today and had to cover up more because I was getting sunburned. The Madison was pretty good. The milder weather has helped. Use dark stonefly nymphs and small blue winged olive mayflies. On sunny days or on warm, days you might see fish eating Caddis. Use dry flies and hoppers.
Yellowstone National Park
The lower elevation streams are fishing well. The recent precipitation has helped. The cloudy weather has brought out more bugs. They are mostly baetis. The rainbow and brown trout are running upstream out of Hebgen and are being landed on peacock soft hackles, small to medium sized light colored streamers and caddis nymphs. Try dry fly fishing. I have seen a lot of bear evidence and heard of many sightings so please be bear aware and carry bear spray. “