Fall is on its way and with it comes sudden changes in weather and changes in water conditions. Outdoor enthusiasts including fishermen need to pay attention to these changes. Flooding can happen quickly so fishermen or fisherwomen need to keep in touch with the weather service. 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.
(Compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Bill reports, “ I am actually on the water fishing right now. The walleye and northern pike bites are slow. We have not found anything yet. Look for them at 30 to 45 feet depths. We have used cranks and bottom bouncers with a worms. The big ones have gone deep. We are not finding any fish but yesterday there was a man who caught a 46 !/4 inch pike and a 33 inch walleye. He obviously has figured it out. He was using a bottom bouncers with a bottom bouncer at 35 feet depths.
Guys are catching small mouth bass around the marina. If you find them they can be big. One fellow caught a 4 pound bass. Pulling cranks works just reeling in and then toss it back out again. The water temperature is 70 degrees. “
We are open 7 to 9 during the week and 7 to 11 on the weekend. We do have cabins for rent. Services are available .
Tongue River Reservoir /Spencer
Raymond reports,” The campers thinned out this past weekend. The fishing I am being told has increased. People are catching more. They have been catching some bass . I have seen more crappies caught this week. Fishermen seem to be heading more toward the north end of the lake. We are now in Stage 1 fire restrictions.”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie /Warden Jordan Staley
Wade says,” fishing for pike have been decent. They are trolling 3 mph at depths of 10 to 15 feet depths using a crank. That is the thing to do. When they do that they are catching an occasional walleye. . We have seen more crappies but they have gone deeper to 10 to 30 feet. Trail a tube jig letting it suspend above the bottom to catch them. The bass are at the structures. In the boats they are pitching a top water rapalla or a spin bait and having luck. .“
My hours are Monday through Thursday 8 to 6 pm. Friday and Saturday the hours will be 8 to 8 pm in May. Sunday will be 8 to 5 pm.”
Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Tyler 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park personnel
Tyler says, “ Hell Creek fishing has not been too bad. It definitely has slowed down for northern pike and small mouth. The smoke has meant there have not been very many people out. So it has been slow. The fish are at depths of 16 to 30 feet depths. People are using cranks at 16 to 18 feet depths for northerns at the points. ”
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, “The salmon bite has slowed. The salmon are not running. Someone caught a 22 pounder. The water surface temperature is 68 degrees. The walleye bite has stopped but that can turn on suddenly. Lake trout and northerns have slowed way down right now.”
We are doing guided trips. Check us out at Howes fishing. We have 4 very qualified licensed guides to serve you. We have a full line of bait, crawlers and minnows.
Our hours are now 7am to 7pm Sunday and Monday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday we are open 7 am to 7 pm. ”
Cooney Reservoir -Glennis, Mark is the game warden at Cooney.
“It has been slow here. People have been catching rainbow trout. The water is down. It is better fishing like an hour before dusk.. The walleye and northern pike bite is slow. “ Sources say .
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
People say,” Fishing is still pretty good. With the 7 to 9 inch rainbow trout the hatchery dropped last week people are catching. . The fish are deep. Corn is bringing good results. “
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Pat says,” fishing has been slow this week. Partly because there have not had many people here fishing. The shore fishermen are catching trout. Some have been good eater size. The water is going down some. We did have someone in a pickup truck do some vandalism to the dock. We got it fixed yesterday. Someone got pictures and notified Tip Mont so hopefully we will catch them. ”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “ I am hearing fishing is real slow. I have heard Basin and Martinson have decent water. But not hearing of anyone getting something. ”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Judy says, “ A few people have caught fish at Bair and Sutherland this week. I did not hear anything from Martinsdale. It is real smoky here so people are not wanting to go out. Some are using power bait to catch fish at Bair. “
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie said, “ The river fishing this week has been slow. Spring Creek fishing is still definitely good. The water is clear. Standard lures and flies are working . Try using the immersion method as it is working. Nymph fishing with a bead head is bringing success.
Achley : The tiger muskeye have gone deeper. They are trolling at 20 to 25 feet and at 2 and a half miles per hour using a rapela..
On Crooked Creek try fishing at 20 to 25 feet depths. Use a worm harness. Walleye and northern pike are being caught. Fishing seems to be okay people say. “
Crooked Creek Crooked Creek Marina Craig and Abby James 406-429-2999
Ron says, “ I was out fishing yesterday. It was very good. I caught walleye and northern pike. Go to depths of 7 to 15 feet depths. Use a bottom bouncer or cranks with a worm harness. The crappie bite is also good. Fishing is pretty much good all over. People are getting their limits. I found blue and red colors were working yesterday. Now on the weekend copper and gold were what was really working. So it is really changing from day to day. “
The Marina’s hours are Monday to Thursday 7 am to 7pm and Friday to Sunday 6am to 9pm
There is full service at the Marina with non-ethanol fuel, bait, minnows, worms, leaches and fishing lures. We also have some rods and reels. There are cabins to rent. We hope to be open year round.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ Sharon says,” Fishing has slowed but pretty much because there were fewer people out. The smoke has been heavier. They are catching 12 to 16 inch walleye. The perch bite this week has been really , really good.
Trout fishing was good. I have been sending people to the east side toward Confederate and Duck Creek. “
There continues to be an inspection station at the landing. Every boat will be inspected when they come out of the water. It is halfway between the landing and the highway. 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. They are now setting up a water cleaning station up from the ramp. The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says,” I have not heard a word about Forchette. No one seems to be fishing there this week.
Nelson’s water is still going up. People are catching fish on leeches so look for something that imitates them as leeches are going to be harder to find now. The walleye fishing is good. G to 14 to 22 feet depths using a worm.”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday
Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan
Matt Cowen says ,”Fort Peck: The lake trout are hitting at Fort Peck but are slower . Try cranking 144 feet deep. Walleye fishing is slow some say.
Yellowstone: The Yellowstone River has been fly fishing well. People are using hopper droppers.
The river is heating up. There have been bass being caught. Try 20 to 30 feet depths using cranks. Troll 2 mph for best results.
Yellowtail: I hear at Yellowtail by Berry’s Landing a few sauger have been caught.
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ Even though there is smoke the walleye are biting on Canyon Ferry if people go out. Guys are catching rainbows, walleyes and some perch using bottom bouncers and a few cranks.
Rivers: All three rivers here are on Hoot own rules. Fishing can only be done from early morning to 2 pm because of the low water and heat. The West Gallatin looks really low. People have said the little creeks are fishing okay . They are saying they are getting brookies or cut throat.”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 , Bill, Jasmine
Bill reports,“ . Hopper Droppers are still working wel in the evening. The trout have been an average of 12 to 16 inches in size and both rainbow and browns are being caught. l. Both rivers are fishing well. The upper Stillwater is still wading well. The lower section is good for floaters. We are seeing tricot and mahogany hatches in the afternoon. Try large dries. Try a Jack Cabe, PMX, Chernobyl’s,, Yeti hopper, Water Walkers and Fat Franks. For nymphs try a beadhead Prince, hairs ear, flashback or pheasant tails. On the Yellowstone try Copper John, a Pheasant Tails, Princes or a Batman. Drift a streamer. Try a black or olive wooly bugger in the evening. FWP says there is no plan for hoot owl right now. The water temperature is 68 degrees today. “
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says,” The water is about 3600 cfs. The water temperature is 60 degrees. The tricot hatch is really good in the morning. It is definitely harder fishing after the tricot hatch. After that hoppers may work. They are very good. Streamers are working as well. Try a sow bug. Fishing is okay. The water is not as grassy as it has been.”
Steven Caldwell guide,
Steven says,” Put the nymphs away unless you go to the dam. Try and throw dries.
Better yourself…throw at a rising fish .
And get to the Missouri to fish.
Try a fly that is dead drifted. Drop it in. Reach cast, feed the line with no drag and set the hook and repeat.
And again get out early during the heat. Make sure you stay hydrated. Heat exhaustion or heat stoke are bad and once you experience it can return easier. , Treat the fish with care. If they come unhooked before the net that’s a bonus! Keep em wet.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Tom and Stephanie say ,” The water has stayed at 3250 cfs. There are nice tricot hatching in the morning. Use a dun size 20 or a spinner at 22. The fishing is good.
For nymph fishing. try a gray Ray Charles size 18, soft tackle ,orange sow bug, zebra midge, black PT or San Juan worm. Use a black caddis as it works.
Streamer fishing is still good. Try a vanilla wafer or a dirty hippy. A pseudo spinner size 18 is also working.
The aquatic grass is not bad on the Upper 3 .in the water. It is better down lower on the river. Compared to 3 years ago it is better. You just have to change your equipment. A lighter line works better. The grass is only on the edges in some places. The Big Horn down to Mallard landing is better for grass.”
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
Madison River
The Madison has been good fishing. . The fish are looking for hoppers, ants and beetles .on warm days. We have had 10 days of cool lately. Later in the day after noon for Nymphs use blue winged olives and small caddis nymphs Keep those fish wet and cool.
Yellowstone National Park
The lower rivers in the park are too warm to fish. Look for cooler water in higher elevations. High elevations are fishing the best, mostly with terrestrials. Cooler days will bring some hatches of mayflies to rivers in the Yellowstone River drainage. At the Lamar and Yellowstone River drainage we have seen PMD’s in the mornings, It also was good terrestrials fishing. Carry bear spray!
