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. Happy New Year

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Sources say “The ice is 10 to 12 inches from Rock Creek south. Zin the marina area we have the first fishermen here this week. We do not have as much snow as other places. We just have small drifts. The road is open. There are fishermen coming for New Years so we will see how the fishing is then.” 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
Spencer says,” I have seen 2 fishermen this week. They caught 4 trout. Between the holiday and the bad wind and weather no one was out. A lot of the South end has ice of 8 to 9 inches. People were using shacks out there. People are walking out to fish right now. It is still questionable for 4 wheelers right now. A few are catching crappies. The storm just chased the people away. The most successful time seems to be early and late in the day. “ 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
Wade says,” We do have ice, some say 8 inches. The marina was not open last weekend so I did not get out there to see how people were doing. Some people were getting minnows from the machine so someone was fishing. The weather was pretty bad for being out there. I will be open this weekend. Our hours will be 6 am to noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There will be live minnows in the machine all week. ”

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to others report, “ We have 5 to 6 inches to Lucky point and to Boy Scout. It is that depth right to the edge and then it is still open. Timber Creek and the main lake is still open. You can only use a 4 wheeler close in the bay at this time. No one has fished this week with the weather and holiday. 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
Eddie says, “We have had winds and weather. We are still open water. There is a small area in the marina bay where they have caught small walleye and a fe northern pike. In the dredge cut there have been a few fish caught. There is no ice on the lake itself. I know of someone who fished at the boat ramp area at Duck Creek. They were there 3 days fishing and got not a bite. I heard McGuire Creek has ice, 12 to 14 inches. Nelson Creek has 12 to 14 inches as well. “

Cooney Reservoir -Glennis , Mark Teynor is the new game warden at Cooney.
Mark says,” We just have 7 inches of ice. It is only walk on right now but they are catching fish. Rainbow trout are doing well. There still is a lot of snow. If you come to camp or do anything in the camping area. Bring your shovel or snow blower as we have had blowing snow and drifts . “

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob says, “ The wind and blowing snow has made some areas pretty quiet for fishing. It is just too cold and miserable. The ice on Lake Elmo is good for fishing and about 5 inches. We have quite a few fishermen out here when the weather makes it possible. The Ice is in good shape. Remember it is only walk on. They are catching rainbow trout. It is definitely cold fishing. “

Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, “ We had our first couple out fishing today (Tuesday). They are catching a few small salmon. We have lots of snow. The ice is good close to shore. ”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “ I have only heard Matinsdale is frozen over. They say there is 5 to 8 inches. No one told me they fished this week. ”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Scott says, “ Crooked Creek has good ice. Fishing has had a steady bite but slow.
On Achley it is slow fishing. Only a few tiger muskie have been caught. The East Fork and Casino Creek have 4 to 6 inches of ice. The local reservoirs also have good ice.
People are fly fishing on Spring Ceek and it has been good.
I have nt heard anything on Petrolia.
Nelson has good ice but is slow fishing they tell me.“

Crooked Creek-Grant
I was told Crooked Creek has good ice. Walk on only. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ The ice is decent. There is 6 to 7 inches in the bay towards the south end. The pond has about 8 inches for ice conservatively. They are catching perch, some nice walleye but really we had tons of rain this week so not enough fishermen to hear a lot. Make sure you call for conditions, weather and how the ice is. “ Sharon says. The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm. Except for the upcoming holiday

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Mindy says, “ Nelson has 18 inches of ice. You can drive on it. They are catching northern pike and perch . The fish are biting ,” Jim said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen.
McCahen says he has heard,” At Cooney guys say there is ice. Some have been catching rainbows and a few ling.
Most people going to Tongue are catching crappies. It is good toward the dam. A few perch and walleye are also being caught.
People are going to Crooked Creek to fish. It has 8 to 10 inches of ice by the marina. There are some places to use caution.

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
There is 8 inches of ice at Canyon Ferry by Silos many are catching rainbow trout.
Nelson has good ice. They are pulling shacks on.
The rivers around here are frozen here. The Madison has some big dams of ice right now.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Chris says, ” I am closed through Wednesday. Things are still not good for being out. Both rivers have slush and ice. It is not safe because of the shelf ice. Footing is not good. I am not recommend fishing right now. There is ice building up and this cold will make more. You can book trips now for later, just call the shop. Our hours now are 9 to 1 Monday to Saturday and 9 to 1 pm on Sunday. ”

Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Fishing is just hard with the cold and snow. I have heard the water is clearing up. Dressing warm is the key if you go. Try small midge patterns. Watch out for the shelf ice.

Steven Caldwell guide * Unable to contact. No new report this week.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Hale says, “ Due to the holiday we will be closed until January 2nd. . Normal hours after the holiday 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 tells us,” It is so very cold and snowy for fishing. If. You did go fishing in these temps you could find a midge hatch. Otherwise try nymphing and streamers. You can get in some wade fishing on the upper Madison. There is a huge ice jam near Ennis so pay attention to conditions.”

Yellowstone National Park

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

(report compiled by Carol Henckel)