Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 3.27.17
By angelamontana

Posted: March 29, 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
Bill reports, “The ice is breaking up There is still too much ice to fish or get out there. There have been no boats getting on. No one has been up here to fish. 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 ice left on Tuesday (yesterday) . There was one boat out beyond the ice this past weekend. There are boats out there today. We had rain on Tuesday that helped the ice leave. You do need to still exercise some caution. ”
The fish cleaning station is now closed.
We still have only camper points 1 to 8 to the north and 9 to 11 open. The have electrical points . The camp sites are still first come first serve.

Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Staley
Wade says,” The ice is off now. That just happened yesterday, Tuesday. I see 5 boats out there now. The Marina is ready and will open Friday. My hours for April are Monday through Thursday 8 to 6 pm. Friday and Saturday the hours will be 8 to 8 pm in April. Sunday will be 8 to 5 pm. There are no docks in yet but boats are getting on. I will have minnows on April 1st. The marina is set up to do SP passes. Fishing licenses and OHV permits now.”
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Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to
Clint says, “The ice is off. You can bring your boat up. The bay by Hell Creek is completely open.
The wind cleared it off. Not sure how far out on the main lake it is open but I suspect it may be pretty far out. We have had only a couple of fishermen come up. They got 5 lake trout and 4 northerns. The road in is not too bad.“ 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 are still waiting for the ice to come off. There is not even any shore fishing right now. We have had some wind but not enough to break anything up. Using a plank is not even a possibility. Call for information. ”

Cooney Reservoir -Glennis, Mark is the new game warden at Cooney.
Cooney has open water. There are boaters on the water. There is no ice . Looking at the spillway we are almost at full pool. There are people fishing the shore. A few are catching.

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob says, “The water is open. There are a lot of fishermen out at Elmo fishing. Lots of them out there. I don’t know if they are catching. I just have not heard.

Winter Fish Kills noted:
Bob explains ,” staff has discovered fish kills at Lake Josephine, Broadwateer Pond, Arapooish Pond. Also a backwater slough on the Yellowstone at Gritty Stone. We also found a fish kill at Laurel Pond but have not evaluated the total number there yet. We will be stocking where we can later.”

Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, “ Fishermen are fishing from shore and catching salmon. We are seeing boats on the water. The boat fishing is real slow they are saying probably because the water is colder out there in the deeper water right now. ”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “I had guys heading to Martinsdale. They tell me the ice is off. Some guys tried to fish from the bank. They got their line out but the wind came up and blew them off. They did sy the reservoir is low. I did sell some bait this week but did not hear if anyone got anything.“

*** We would like to welcome the Checkerboard Inn to the fishing report. The owners Rick and Judy Geordge will provide information on Bair Lake and Sutherland when they hear information.

On Bair Lake the ice has only melted off. Fishing is excellent. They are catching rainbow trout that are 12 to 16 inches. Worms, marshmallows and corn are working for bait. You can only use a boat right now right along the shore. Shore fishing is good.
On Sutherland shore fishing has been excellent. They are catching some rainbows now from shore. You can throw a rod out there 12 to 15 feet, “ Rick says.“.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie says, “ The ice went off of Crooked Creek. You can launch now. Guys are finding live minnows and nightcrawlers are working.
The ice is off the Missouri river It is a slow bit using live minnows. You cannot launch at Kips landing yet. You can launch at Judith landing, though.
Spring Creek is decent fishing right now. Try the color pink or a mepps . It is not muddy.
Achley is open for fishing from shore . You can throw a line out with a worm on the rod out about 10 to 12 feet. “

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

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Our ice is gone now so almost everything is open . There maybe some floating ice way on the north end . the boats are catching some decent trout. The water is pretty cold. It is 41 degrees. The water is up some but not enough for any concern. They have set up an inspection station at the landing. Every boat will be inspected when they come out of the water. The live well needs to be empty of water. The plug needs to be removed and the live well needs to be wiped down. 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 the ice is pretty much gone. A person could probably get on with a boat. I have not heard of anyone doing it. I think the weekend will tell us more. Remember that 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
Tanner says ,” On th Stillwater you can catch fish. Try nymphs wadding near Absarokee for some success.
On the Yellowstone the mussy water conditions have stopped the bass from biting. The cats are biting. They are catching lots of cats.
Guys are saying on the Yellowtail the bite is tough. The water is real cold which is slowing things down.
On Fort Peck the ice is off. Boats can get on.
Some guys have been heading up Hel Creek for the walleye spawn but I have not heard how they did.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “
Canyon Ferry is open now. There are some people trying but I have not heard if they caught anything.
The Gallatin is up and muddy. The Madison is open but not as muddy.
Guys are fishing on the edges from the interstate to the Headwaters catching rainbow trout. ”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Bill says, “On the Stillwater it is time to try midges and blue wing teals . A float is possible. It is at mid flow right now.
Both the Yellowstone and Stillwater have opened up. The Yellowstone still has a few ice along the edges in a few places.
Both waters are off color at times. Nymph fishing has been decent. We are just waiting for the march browns now.“
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, ” Fishing is still really good. The flow is up. Try those San Juan worms. The fish are hungry and eating. Nymph fishing 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
Rick says,” Fishing is very good. The water has really been bumped up. It is 9,000 cfs . If you want a fast montana boat float this is it. Wading is really tricky. The huge amount of water pushes the water hard up on the shore. You have to use caution. The ramp area can be dangerous with take off. Nymph fishing has been decent. There is some streamer action but it is just so so depending on the day. Go deep with a sinking line. There is very little midge action. At this point we are not renting boats out. Call the shop to confirm that is still true. We will give you current daily information. The fish are holding close to shore. ”
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 had a guide trip this week. So, fishing has been okay on the non-windy days. Fish are still eating stoneflies and small midges or caddis for nymphs. Blue winged olive mayfly and midge dries are biting on cloudy days. There are a few skwalas hatching on the Madison in a few spots but that is probably the extent of the hatch we will see this spring. April should see more active fish as the days warm up a bit. Stay off the rainbow redds and be bear aware.. ”

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

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