Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 3.20.17
By angelamontana

Posted: March 22, 2017

Spring is here and with it comes sudden changes in weather and High water. Outdoor enthusiasts including fishermen need to pay attention with these changes. Flooding can happen quickly so fishermen or women need to keep in touch with the weather service. Some water depths are at June levels already so everyone should stay alert. 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 including snow can come on in fierce strength very fast. 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
No report available as of this posting. 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, “ There still is an ice cap still on the water. No boat can fish out there as of yet. There are only a few places of availability to shore fish right now. The water is 15 to 20 feet out in places. ”
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,” There is still ice. It is totally unsafe to get on. There just is no fishing. The ice is coming off really slowly this year. I am thinking one to two weeks before it will be open. I am thinking this may be because there was so much. In some places there were reports of 22 to 24 inch thick ice. I will not have minnows in the machine until April 1st. Check the facebook page for any change. “ The marina is set up to do SP passes. Fishing licenses and OHV permits now.”

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to
Clint says, “We still have rotten ice. I think possibly in 4 to 5 days you might have open shore where you could shore fish. We have lots of wind actually terrible wind. People think that the wind would open things up but there is no place for waves which is what really causes the ice to open up. The water level is the same and okay. The lake turned over last week. 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
Eddie says, “The ice is rotten and going off. There is no fishing. Using a plank is not even a possibility. Call for information. ”

Cooney Reservoir -Glennis, Mark Teynor is the new game warden at Cooney.
Glennis says, “ Cooney has open water. We have boaters on the water, two right now (Wed.) There is a big chunk of ice but boats can mve around it. It would do damage if a boat hit it. Looking at the spillway we are almost at full pool. There have been people fishing the shore. ”

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob says, “The water was open on Friday when I was there. The geese and gulls were flying around like crazy and are real active.”

Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, “There is one boat out there right now. There are ice chunks still out there. It has been really windy and cold this past week. You could fish from shore. ”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “I did hear of some guys going to Martinsdale. I did hear the ice is not totally off. I know that they caught a couple of browns. I have bait now so you can pick some up here . “

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “ The Missouri river is open and is running mostly off color.
Achley is open. Try nymphing like a prince or a bead head.
We have had a lot of wind. “

Crooked Creek-Grant
Crooked Creek is somewhat open.
Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Our ice is between ice and going out. It is just not safe to fish. The shore is decent fishing. The wind has been blowing a lot this week. I would say call to find out changes in the conditions. With the warm weather maybe we could see things open this weekend. 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, “On Nelson and Forchette it maybe a couple of weeks before it is fishable. Some of the ice is off now. At Nelson they have started filling so the lake is rising. “
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan
Mike says ,” On the Yellowstone the ice has . They are catching small mouth , cats and sauger . Before going out check the clarity of the water as it changes according to run off .
On the Yellowtail they are finding the bite slow. The water is real cold.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “I am hearing that Canyon Ferry is not fishable on the water because there is still ice still on. There are some people trying from shore.”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Bill says, “Basically fishing is ok now wading. Both the Yellowstone and Stillwater have opened up. The float is at 600cfn. Both waters are off color. Nymph fishing is decent. Try a flexy girdle bug dropping a zebra, size 18, medium off the back. With dry fishing try a purple haze and Griffith’s gnat. For streamers use a Grinch sculpin in olive.“
You can book trips now for later, just call the shop. We are now in Spring hours. We are closed Monday and open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 to 5pm and open 9 to 1 pm on Sunday.

Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says, ” I was out fishing and it is fantastic. The flow went up again to 8,000. Try nymph fishing it is okay right now. Use pink sows, worms and scuds right now. Streamers are also okay for fishing.”

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

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Hale says,” I The water has really been bumped up. It is 8,000 cfs . They are trying to bring the lake down in preparation of Spring runoff. There is not much wading to be done. It is a quick float. Fishing has been good. Nymph fishing is good right now. The fish are holding close to shore. Use a bigger orange or pink scuds in size 12, 14. Orange is working better. Streamers are working fair. Dry fishing is poor right now. ”
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,” I have been on the water myself recently and fishing has been great. First big trip is this Friday!
So fishing has been good. There are a few midges and fish looking up to eat them when it isn’t windy. Otherwise fish will eat medium olive stoneflies and smaller baetis nymphs or small dark midges. Madison is clear and fishing well but there is still snow on the banks and ramps. Stay off the redds and check current conditions before you go. ”

Yellowstone National Park
Alice explains, “Fishing in the park is still closed for the season.”

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