Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 12.5.16
By angelamontana

Posted: December 7, 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
Sources say the wind has been blowing. We have had a skiff of snow with some drifts. Pretty cold for fishing right now. Last week the lake trout and pike were in depths of 10 to 20 feet. 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,” We haven’t seen fishermen this week. The Tongue is starting to make ice. It is forming ice in the bay and on some edges. There still is a ton of water open. I think it will be a couple of weeks before we have all ice. “ 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
Just waiting for ice right now. We are in between waiting for the ice to start and the weather to change . 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
Others report, “ Pretty cold for fishing this week. No one wants to be out in the cold and wind. We were told last week that the northern pike were biting and are in the weeds at 3 to 5 feet. Lake trout were caught at 15 to 25 feet. Head toward Crooked Creek or to Hacksbee. Only 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, ” It has been super cold here. It is making ice I think. There is a cold steam coming off the water. There is a little fishing happening. The water temperature is 44 degrees right now. We only have a skiff of snow. “

Cooney Reservoir -Glennis , Mark Teynor is the new game warden at Cooney.
Glennis explains,” We have ice . We are completely froze over. I can see no water. It is not safe yet of course. It is just an inch or so. I ca see it is pretty thin. We have an inch to an inch and a half of snow. All I can say is stay warm and wait. The docks have been pulled. The Marshall launch is closed. “
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell.

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Lake Elmo is covered by many geese. The weather and snow has meant people are not fishing. It is cold enough that no one wants to be out there fishing.

Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony’s wife says, “ We are just not seeing fishermen. We have had cold and a skiff of snow. No one is thinking of fishing right now. ”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “ It froze for the first time last night. Not hearing about ice forming. No one is talking fishing. We did not get any snow yet. ”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie explains, “ It has been pretty quiet this week.
At Achley fishing is slow and the water is low.
There is a bit of fishing on Spring Creek. The nymph fishing is okay. The water is low and clear.
Not a lot of action this week. I was at Crooked Creek to Devil’s Creek and found the water temperature was at 48 degrees. From my past history it should be at 38 degrees so we just do not have cold enough water yet. That is about all that is going on.

Crooked Creek-Grant
Lake trout fishing was still happening at Crooked Creek but it was very slow we hear. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ We don’t have ice yet. I think we could if the wind would quit. We have had wind everyday this past week. It actually is cold enough, we have around zero right now. Actually people are fishing from shore and getting some really nice trout. They are catching with anything from bait to lures to even flies and fly fishing. Surprisingly some really nice trout are being caught. No particular spot on shore pretty much anywhere. Make sure you call for conditions, weather and if we have ice, “ Sharon says.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “ We have had 5 below so the temperature is right for making ice. It has been sunny. Nelson is slowly forming ice. I think we may have enough to try the ice by the weekend. I am going to go check it out and maybe pull my ice house out on it depending upon what I find ,” Jim said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” We had some guys who headed to Deadmans on Thursday of last week in a boat. They just caught a couple fish.
People are still fishing the Yellowstone. They still are catching sauger between here (Billings) and Forsyte. The fishing was still good. Use a minnow and a jig. Last I heard the water temp had dropped to 34 degrees. We are all waiting to hear where the ice has formed.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ It is 20 degrees here. It has been cold most of the week. We only got a trace of snow overnight but it is snowing right now (Tuesday). Right now you have about a half a mile of visibility. I have heard the 3 Forks ponds are froze over.
I have heard no news on Canyon Ferry fishing .“

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Chris says, ” Things are slushy on the edges of the Yellowstone and the Stillwater right now. There is ice building up. The weather has definitely made it tougher to get out. I would say wait a couple of days and see if it warms up or if ice forms on the edges. 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 has not changed just the weather. The river is still grassy but a bit clearer. Use San Juan worms and baetes patterns. Look out for the browns as they are ready to spawn. There is some fishing if you are willing to deal with the cold and wind,” 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
Some say, “ It has been pretty cold for fishing. Fishing has been fair. The water is still grassy. It is improving so the aquatic grass is less. Try streamers. The usual olive and brown wooly buggers are best to use. There are some baetes out there. For nymphs try squids and sow bugs. “ 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 tells us,” Brrrrrrr. IF one were to go fishing this week, nymphing or streamers are the way to go. Small nymphs, like midges, should work. Try a midge off the bottom of a stonefly nymph as that will work. Streamers that imitate sculpins should move some big fish.
Brown trout are still spawning in side channels, so leave them alone and fish elsewhere.“

Yellowstone National Park

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

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