Fall is  here  and with it comes sudden changes in weather and  changes in  water  conditions.  Outdoor enthusiasts including fishermen need to pay attention to these changes.   Storms  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

Linda  reports, “The wind blew way too much  this week so getting out on the water was impossible.  The first two days we had a couple of guys try fishing but they did not catch anything. We even got a skiff of snow.  ”

We have closed the Marina.  There will be no services.  We do have some clothing, oil and some tackle for sale  but bring your own bait if you are coming.  The docks   have been   pulled.  We will have some fuel if you can find someone to help you with it.  There will be people here when ice fishing starts.  “

Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg

Raymond said,” We have had a hint of snow and some rain.  We have had   only a few fishermen.  I don’t know that they caught.

There is no ice yet but the temperature this morning is 18 degrees so it is getting colder.  Everything is now in winter mode.  The cleaning station is closed.  Both boat docks are still in right now.  That is weather dependent.  As soon as the weather conditions change   they will be pulled.  The water is turned off. There is no water at the  dump site and  in the campgrounds.   Some of the campgrounds have been shut down of  electricity.  Campers point north  has electricity.  That is the camp site closest to the marina.  The   boat inspection site  is closed.

Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie, Greg /Warden Jordan Staley

Only a few fishermen out and   have caught only a few  bass.  They did also catch a bass despite the wind that came up.  The Marina is closed.  Wade says, “ bring your own worms as there will not be any here right now.  There will be no fuel available. “

Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Tyler 1-406- 557-2345  Marina Matheson-Park  personnel

Lane says,” We only had 2 to 3 fishermen here.  Most people are hunting. There were some northern pike caught this week. The fish have been deep.  For Northern pike guys have been   using cranks.  The rest of the fishing has been just dead.”

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

Millie says, “ I did hear fishermen are catching  lake trout. The lake trout are shallow,15 to 20 feet.

The salmon  snagging is still really slow.  “

Our hours are  6am-8pm Monday through Saturday, 6 am to 7 pm on Sunday. ”

Cooney Reservoir – Mark is the   game warden at Cooney.

We   are hearing people are catching walleye late in the day.  Trout are also  being caught at fisherman’s point  and Red Lodge  campground. “ All the docks are out” , Aaron explains.

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson

A few fishermen  are fishing  at Lake Elmo.  A few trout are  being caught.  Elmo is pretty full.

Deadmans  Tony Stefani

“ A few salmon are being  caught.  They are  only about 12 to 15 inches. They are not very big.  The water continues   at normal depths.  Not many people have come here.”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22

Terry says, ”It was again windy this week.  Anybody I talked to did not even try to go out fishing. ”

Checkerboard Inn   Checkerboard, MT   Rick and Judy Geordge  406-572-3373

Judy   says, “I had a small group who went to   fish at Bair.  It was really cold and they did not stay long.   They caught   a few fish but the wind was not good. They had plans to go again but cancelled. ”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

Charlie   said, “I am hearing Peck is real slow.  They have not been having good luck.

At Spring Creek  try silver, copper and gold spinners.   Spring Creek is  fishing pretty  well.   Use  a San Juan worm or a bead head or a bloody Mary.  Try a copper John or a pheasant tail as well.

No one has said they fished anywhere else.”

Crooked Creek Marina Winnett, Montana   James  (Slim) and Abbie Craig  406-429-2999

Staff   says, “ The fishing has been very slow. They have been catching mainly northern pike.  They are small 5 to 6 pounders. The guys are using frozen smelt and dead minnows. Mostly it has been hunters trying their hand at fishing after the hunt from shore.  We have seen a lot of hunters. “

The Marina’s hours are Monday to Sunday  7 am to 7pm

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  have wind  this week.  If they get out  they are catching some walleye.  The trout bite seems to have slowed. “

The   inspection station at the landing has closed as of October 15.

The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm. We still are making and selling sandwiches at the Marina.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611

Jim  says,” Forchette fishing they are telling me is slow.  They are catching small walleyes using jigs and minnows.  Guys are catching  a few walleye  at Nelson if you can get past the wind. “

Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday

Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan, Matt

Matt  says ,”Yellowtail:  Guys are fishing well at   Yellowtail and are getting  sauger. They used a jig and a minnow. The water temperature is dropping.

Yellowstone: I hear they   are catching bass, walleye  and sauger on  the  Yellowstone.  They are using cranks and jigging.

Cooney-At Cooney  the water temperature is dropping so fishing is picking up a bit . “

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Rich says, “  I talked to three groups of fishermen who headed to  Canyon Ferry.  They had very poor success.  Of the 3 boats only one fish was caught and these are guys who fish there a lot.

On the Missouri river some guys say they are catching trout.  Most of them were spinning.  Only a few fly fishing.  Get your gear ready for ice fishing. ”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977  ,Bill

Chris reports,“  We had some wind and cold.  The Stillwater and the Yellowstone   are  clear.   Fishing has slowed down.  Try the purple haze it is working.   For dries try  pheasant  tails.  Some guys are using a girdle bug with a nymph behind.  For streamers try black and olive or the electric   goldfish.

On the Yellowstone if there was no wind you could catch something .  Try a dry fly after it warms up after noon.    Try streamers and dropper nymphs.  They are catching trout and some whitefish.”

Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith  Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612

Beau says,” The water level has fluctuated. There is less grass. Streamers are your best option. They are your best option.  Nymph  fishing is tough.  The  wind has been a challenge.  You   have to work at fishing. ”

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

Josh  said ,” The  water  is  at 4700 CSF so it is down a little.  The water is off color.  It is still grassy  but clearing up.  Use streamers.  Boat fishing is better than wading.

Nymph fishing is difficult.  On cloudy days a streamer works better.  You could try a red Ray Charles, zebra midge, orange scuds, soft tackle  and black Pheasant tails  or San Juan worm. ”

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, Yellowstone National  Park

Madison River

Blue winged olive mayflies have been hatching after noon. Small mayfly nymphs and dark streamers work until the hatch. Watch where you walk so as to not to step on the  redds in the upper river.

Yellowstone National Park

There are good hatches on the Firehole with good numbers of fish rising. There are several species of caddis on the river most of the day with blue winged olives hatching in the middle of the day.  Use streamers to fish on the Madison in the park.  Try smaller nymphs and soft hackles. Please be respectful and share the river with the other anglers. Carry Bear Spray and check often for changing road conditions. Snow is predicted.”