Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 11.21.16
By angelamontana

Posted: November 23, 2016

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,” I went fishing this week and it was good. The lake trout are biting. The northern pike were taking the bit on cranks. Both the lake trout and pike were in depths of 10 to 20 feet. We fished for four hours and got 10 fish, six lake trout and four northerns. Water temperature is 47 degrees. The marina is closed. We will still have cabins for rent. So some services will be available if one of us is around.”

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Bob says,” Not many fishermen out there. One very experienced fisherman and his buddy put in their boat. He said they say lots of fish being marked on the monitor. They fished in the cold and came out shivering after 6 hours empty handed. Another fisherman who fished and caught one lonely crappie with his hours o the water. Just sounds like it is slow right now. The weather we had seem to have been thinking. The fish cleaning station is now closed. We now have only camper points 1 to 8 to the north and 9 to 11 open. The camp sites are now first come first serve. The water is down but fishing is still possible. ”

Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Staley
There has been a few fishermen out there. No one is saying they are catching. . We did have weather so things definitely did change. There is less water but you can get a boat in. The marina is closed but we will be ready when ice fishing gets going,”

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east
Clint reports, “ We have had more hunters than fishermen here this week. The northern pike are biting the guys who went out said. The pike are in the weeds at 3 to 5 feet. Lake trout are still being caught at 15 to 25 feet. They are finding them from Crooked Creek to Hacksbee. Some bass are being caught at the pines. Try depths of 8 to 10 feet down with a jig. The walleye are really slow. A few walleye caught towards Timber Creek. 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
Carrie says, ” We are busier with hunters. Just not many fishing. The lake trout are still being caught. I hear walleye fishing is picking up a little up the river side. The water temp is 50 degrees now . If walleye are being caught it is with a jig and a minnow. Mostly guys are just looking to fill their tags. “

Cooney Reservoir -Glennis
Mark Teynor is the new game warden at Cooney. He’ll be helping Glennis with Cooney’s waters. Some people are catching rainbow trout. Few walleyes being caught. Try power bait, marshmallows and night crawlers. ” The water is up. The docks have been pulled. The Marshall launch is closed. “
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell.

Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, “ Pretty quiet here. Only a few fishermen are catching little salmon from shore. They are small, 1 to 1 ½ pounds. ”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “ No one is getting out The weather has been bad it needs to straighten out. Martinsdale fishing I was told was not good. ”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
At Achley fishing is slow and the water is low.
Spring Creek is nymphing well. The water is low and clear.
On the Missouri river guys are heading to the PN and catching some walleye on cranks.
Going west to Crooked Creekto Devil’s Creek fishing has been slow. Walleye fishing is slow. You can catch northern pike. It is only a fair bite.

Crooked Creek-Grant
Lake trout fishing at Crooked Creek is very slow. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ We again had a lot of wind this week. Not many fishermen could get out this week. Last week some nice perch were being caught. The weather did change things. There is enough water to launch here by Silos. The water is 3 to 3 ½ feet out of the bay, “ Jodie says.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“The few guys that went to Nelson were catching . Try jigs and a minnow to catch sauger. Walleye and perch have been productive. The water has come up some. Not many guys heading to Forchette. They are finding fishing is hit and miss. Still hearing that Fort Peck has lake trout being caught,” Jim said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” Still hearing that on the Yellowstone guys are catching sauger with a minnow and a jig. . The water temp has dropped.
At Yellowtail the sauger bite is still happening . They are catching some nice fish. The guys are using a minnow and a jig .
At Cooney the water temperature and gone down and people say the fishing is slower. .

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ Not much talk of fishing happening here. No news on Canyon Ferry fishing just wind. The rivers seems to be up quite a bit and clearer. It looks like the Gallatin River is up some more I believe. The weather changed some things “

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Chris says, ” The weather has definitely made getting out harder. The water seems to be clearer. If you go try nymphs or girdle bugs to catch fish. It was all right fishing. Some nice rainbow were being caught before the storm. The Stillwater is up. I am still booking 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
“I heard from a friend the river is still off color and grassy but seems to be getting a bit clearer. Use the usual San Juan worms and baetes patterns. The fall hatches are done. The browns are getting ready to spawn. There is some fishing if you are willing to work for the fish,” Beau says.

Steven Caldwell guide * Unable to contact. No new report this week.
“ Nymphing has been good fishing. Use San Juan worms or the favorite may fly nymphTry fishing with streamers right now and you will 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
The cfs is 2750 right now. The water is still grassy. Dries are not working. Nymphs are what is working. Try using dirty hippies or thin mints. There was wind this week along with weather. The water clarity seems to be improving. “ Our shop hours have changed. We are closed Sunday and Monday. We are open 9 am to 2 pm now Tuesday to Saturday in November.

Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
Madison
Alice says,” On the upper Madison we had some bright and sunny days. We did get 16 inches of snow but still had sunny days. The sunshine makes the fish spooky which means there is less dry fly action. If you’re going to streamer fish pick your favorites. Right now it is more of a challenge to get to the water but it can be done. Use pretty small flies this time of year. Use lots of midges and blue winged olive mayflies in sizes 18 and 20s. I would remind folks to stay off the brown trout redds in the shallower water,.“

Yellowstone National Park

Alice says, “ Fishing in the park is now closed for the season.”

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing