The changes of winter with snowy weather means fishermen should stay aware. The weather and ice 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.
*** AT THIS POINT THE CHANGES IN WEATHER MAKES ICE CONDITIONS VULNERABLE IN SOME LOCATIONS PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CHECK WITH THOSE IN THE KNOW IN THE LOCATIONS OFTEN TO FIND OUT CHANGING ICE CONDITIONS***
(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Bill says, “People are catching fish. It is still good. We still have good ice, 2 to 3 feet. The shore is a little iffy. It is softer. We had one 4 wheeler that broke through but it wasn’t deep at that edge. . The lake level is up a little, about a half a foot. Guys are catching northern pike and lake trout. I did drive the road and the back bay toward south Rock Creek is breaking up in some places. The weather that is supposed change may change things. . 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 /Spencer
Spencer says “ The edges are still changing and getting softer. There is about 6 toot on the edge of rotten ice in places. The reservoir is up. If you can get on past We did have a kid this week who caught a 30 inch walleye. With the cold weather coming that could cause some refreezing at night. Use caution and just be aware of changes in ice conditions.”
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.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Staley
Wade says,” This weekend we had an 8 year old that caught a 11 pound 11 ounces . The edges are obviously soft. Our days of ice fishing are limited I think. There is ice by the marina yet but I am not sure what is happening with it. (Wednesday) When they were out there this week they were catching more perch than anything else.. I am checking ice conditions daily so check the facebook page for conditions and minnow supply. “ The marina is set up to do SP passes. Fishing licenses and OHV permits now. I will be open weekends. Our hours will be 6 am to noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”
Minnow Bucket Eddie White Shepherd, MT
Eddie says, “The river has broken up by Huntley. It is extremely muddy, and there is quite a bit of ice left on the shore. “
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to
Clint says, “ People are still fishing. We still have ice. Guys are using a 4 wheeler in the first half of the bay. I would not recommend it unless you stay close. The shore line is losing ice and it is hard to get on. We are using ramps to get on and if the weather stays cold like they say then we might have more time for ice fishing. If not soon the ramps are going to be too short. The weather will decide if we have a couple more weeks of fishing or if we are done. I have pulled 3 guys out in the last couple of days. Some guys ignore the suggestions of where to go and some just catch a soft spot and that is it. The vehicles each were in different places. At McQuire to Rock Creek they are running 4 wheelers but there are lots of bad spots. The water is up a half a foot. The best advice is to call to get information. “ 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 scored by the shaft houses. Lots of fish being caught. They are northern pike and lake trout. At the shore you could be walking through some water. Some guys have gone to Bear Creek and across flat lake and did well. It has been in the teens at night. Someone had a side by side that got in trouble. You have got to be extremely careful. Use extreme caution.”
Cooney Reservoir -Glennis, Mark Teynor is the new game warden at Cooney.
Mark says, “ We did some practice rescue exercises yesterday and found ice conditions unsafe. We cut blocks out and found snow ice for the first 2 to 3 inches. That makes the ice brittle and unstable. The ice color is also changing as well and that tells you the ice is not stable. It has been quiet here the last couple of days. There is 25 to 30 feet of water on the shore before you can get on the ice. Just remember that ice is always changing even when you think it is safe. Keep a real close eye on conditions and changes with our warmer weather. “
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob says, “We still have Ice. There is 8 to 10 inches. Some fisherman are pulling out perch. One fellow had his boots crash through. The ice is bad around the edges. With the wind we are having and the warm weather I would not go out there. The guy who went out there had to go through water and then climb on the ice shelf to get out there. I can see that the ice is a darker color now from earlier today.”
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Pat says, “The ice is done. There is 10 to 20 feet of water at the edge. There are no fishermen right now. ”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
The warm weather and the low water leveI means you need to watch out. The cold weather is supposed to be coming so Martinsdale conditions could change.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “The ice is real punky around here. Spring Creek is blown out. It is 50 degrees today. (Tuesday) Crooked Creek by Lewistown and Crooked Creek by Winnett both are all water. They are also blown out. “
Crooked Creek-Grant
Crooked Creek is blown out. It was gone by Sunday.
Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Our ice is still decent . (Wednesday ) There are actually a lot of people out there fishing right now. The edges are a little soft but there is not but a few places where there is water. Pretty much it is just soft. The trout and perch fishing is good . Walleye is a medium bite. There are still two pressure ridges and you just have to stay away from it. Stop to hear where both are and avoid them. We do have plenty of bait here. “ Sharon says. The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “Nelson has ice. It is good fishing still. Plenty of good fish. They are catching perch. Some brave souls were driving on it but I would not recommend it.
Forchette still has 2 feet of ice. They are definitely catching fish.”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan
John says ,” Crooked Creek this past weekend had the ice blow off.
The Big Horn is really fishing well. Some guys are catching 20 to 30 fish a day. The rainbow warrior is doing well
On Cooney the ice is softening up.
The ice fishing all over is wrapping up. The local lakes are slowing up for the season as well.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says,” The wind is blowing like crazy that should change the ice. I have not heard how Canyon Ferry is fishing. No one stopped in this week that was going there.
Some people floated the open north road going north to about the last fishing access on the Madison by Cobblestone.
Early in the week I heard from a couple of guys that fished for ling below the dam at Canyon Ferry and caught a ling about every 20 minutes. They were fishing at night.”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Chris says, “ Both the Yellowstone and Stillwater have opened up some. On the Stillwater you can find a few places you can fish. There still are big chunks out there. You could do some nymph fishing. The Yellowstone is a little less fishable from shore. Neither of them should you think you can float yet. I just drove by the Yellowstone earlier today (Wednesday) and it is looking dirty. I can’t say I am going out much yet. “
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
Beau says,” Nymph fishing is good right now. The water has gone down and it is clear. Streamers work on some days.”
Steven Caldwell guide * Unable to contact. No new report this week.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Rick says,” The water has come down the cfs is 3620. It has been pretty windy today. On sunny days nymphing is working. Streamers seem to work on days. Wading is good at 3 mile. With the warm weather the ramps are clear of ice and good. A small midge hatch can be found if there is no wind.”
Our normal hours are we are closed Sunday and Monday. We are open 9 am to 2 pm now Tuesday to Saturday.
Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
Madison
Alice says,” Seems like winter has returned to South west Montana. Fishing has been good on the Madison on the days when it is pleasant to be on the water. Standard nymph patterns for blue winged olive mayflies and midges are working with mid-sized olive stoneflies. Streamers have also produced some nice fish, switch to black when the clouds are rolling in. .”
”Yellowstone National Park
Alice explains, “Fishing in the park is now closed for the season.”