Fall is on its way and with it comes sudden changes in weather and changes in water and drought fire 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, fire 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, “ No fishermen during the week. The water temperature is 54 degrees. The northern pike and bass are shallow right now. Only have a few walleye caught. We are closing the Marina after Saturday. There will be no services. We plan on pulling the docks Monday or Tuesday. There will be no food. We will have some fuel if you can find someone to help you with it. “
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 Raymond /Spencer/ Greg
Spencer reports ,” It has been cold and rainy pretty much almost all week. Today is only the second day of no rain. It was cold every day in the 40’s. We have gotten 2 inches of rain in the last 2 weeks. The number of fishermen have been down because of the weather. Only a couple of boats each day. Saw some people have a few crappie and a walleye or two. “
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie, Greg /Warden Jordan Staley
Stephanie says,” Have not seen fishermen this week. I have not heard anything. I know a few went out they just did not stop here. Our last day for the Marina to be open is Saturday. We will be closed as of Sunday.“
Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Tyler 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park personnel
Megan reports, “walleye have been hit and miss this week. Pretty much they are finding them here and there. For the northerns guys are pitching spoons or cranks. They are working fairly well. We had the bass tournament this past weekend and guys did very well. They headed East all the way to Crooked Creek and all the way to west of Forchette. They were finding them at 30 to 40 feet depths. One fellow caught a big bass during the tournament. We weighed it on two scales and got 4 signatures as it weighed 7.51. If approved it may be a new state record. They released it . ”
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 pretty slow fishing for walleye. They are doing well in the dredges. Salmon fishing is picking up a little. I know of four caught in the bay. The water temperature is down so that should change things. The levels are down. It has been cold and nasty for 3 days. “
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.
“The water is still at full pool. It has turning but there still is algae in the water. The fishing has been good this week. I am hearing and seeing browns being caught. So the browns are starting to be more active as fall is here. Not many walleye being called. There is more algae on the south west shore. That is where it is the heaviest. Two of the three docks have been pulled and the third is partly under water. You can use it though. Just make sure you bring tall boots or waders for getting the boat in, “Mark explains.
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Fishing is still going on at Lake Elmo and they are still catching. With the weather changing and the rain the number of fishermen were fewer this week. “
Deadmans Tony Stefaniwe did have snow this week but it is gone now. We now have mud. Right now there are 2 or 3 boats out there fishing. Don’t know if they are catching, “ Tony says,“
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “Guys were still talking this week about fishing on Martinsdale from shore. It was again good this week. The guys have done quite well. The water cooled down and the fish seem to be more active. Most were 2 ½ to 5 pounds. The guys were using colored marshmallows in green and yellow. ”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Judy says, “at Bair the guys say they were catching some fair size fish. They are using worms or powerbait. The colors seem to vary day by day of what works. I also heard Martinsdale picked up some. ”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie said, “ Spring Creek is fishing well using flies. It is good fall fishing. You can use dries like midges. Nymphs are also working.
On the western end of Fort Peck they are catching some walleye at 20 to 35 depths. The water has gotten hotter and that has helped.
On Achley the water is pretty low. You can fish from shore.
Lakes and ponds : The small lakes and ponds are pretty mossed up. “
Crooked Creek Crooked Creek Marina Craig and Abby James 406-429-2999
Carrie says, “ It was really slow this last weekend. Many are saying the water was turning over this weekend. After that the bite was on. Now they are catching walleye, sauger and northern pike. The water temperature is getting better. It is 58 to 61 degrees. The pike are shallow right now. The sauger and walleye are at 15 feet. Try chartreuse colors using a bottom bouncer or worm harness either jigging or using cranks. The water is clearing now after turning over. The worm and minnow bite is definitely tuning on. We have seen two rattlers sunning themselves in the last 2 days so keep your eyes open. “
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,” we did not have many fishermen this week. I think they are all out hunting. Fishing has been good for the few that did come. They did catch walleye in thee 12 to 16 inch size. It is not raining or windy today. It is sort of sunny today. “
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,”They are still finding fish at Nelson. They are catching walleye and perch. People are trying a jig and finding them deeper. The water is lower than full pool. You can use the state park ramp and still drive off of it. ”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday
Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan,Matt
Matt says ,” The Yellowstone is still murky. I have heard it has been good for cats. It should start to fish better for sauger and walleye as it clears .
On Yellowtail they are starting to catch sauger down there.
Guys are saying the salmon on Fort Peck at the dam is picking up a little. Use a lead core 30 to 40 feet depths over 60 foot of water. You can use a banana style crank.
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ I heard FWP did their netting on Canyon Ferry. They found more walleyes than past years.. The south end is where they found the small walleye. On the north end they found walleye in the 16 to 20 pound size.
On the river the fly fishermen are getting some fish. The rivers are up. The water is clear today.
I heard that on Holter they are catching some nice perch. One was a 12 incher. The guys I talked to were using a wom and a jig. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill
Bill reports,“ Fishing has been good this week.. The Stillwater has cleared up well. Purple haze are working. For dries try pheasant tails. Some guys are using a girdle bug with a nymph behind it is working. For streamers try black and olive or the electric goldfish.
On the Yellowstone it has cleared some. It is a little off but it is still fishing well. Try streamers and dropper nymphs. The cfs is up some. Floating from the Pelican to Columbus is fishing good.”
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says,” Fishing is a little better. The tricot hatch is still going on in the morning from 9 to 11 am. The fall wind slowed the fishing some days. Nymphing is okay. Streamers are also okay. The water was raised today (Tuesday). So there was lots of grass. Use normal fall techniques. Focus on the shallow areas and in the ripples. ”
Steven Caldwell guide,
Unable to contact
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.
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
Stephanie said ,” The water is at 3750 csf. There are tricots hatching in the morning starting at 6 am and now ending earlier. .
For nymph fishing try it in the shallows. You should know where you are going. Don’t use much weight. You could 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 tougher with the grass. You can try a vanilla wafer, a dirty hippy or a pseudo spinner . The water is a bit cloudy. ”
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,” Madison below Quake Lake,
Madison River
Blue winged olives have been hatching along with midges in the afternoons. Until the hatch starts throw smaller standard nymphs. Lighter colored streamers have also been working for the territorial trout all over the river.
Yellowstone National Park
Higher elevation streams are seeing some bug activity late on warmer afternoons, there are still a few hoppers clicking around grassy meadows.
The Madison has been fishing well with light colored caddis and large dark streamers. The Firehole has several caddis species hatching along with the blue winged olives in the afternoons. Swing a soft hackle until the hatch starts and then look for rising fish in the flat water. With 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone to enjoy please give your fellow anglers space. Bears are on the move, carry your spray!