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, “No one but a few hunters were here this week.  They took the boat across the water hoping to maybe do both.    Actually this week   there was only a little wind but it has been pretty cold at night.  It was warmer during the day. They were using a small tent at night.  They woke up this morning with the boat being iced in.  They did need help to get their boat out. They were north of the marina about 8 ½ miles away.  We do not have ice here yet but this is a reminder to pay attention to nature when you are out. It is supposed to be warmer this next week so you could fish if you wanted.”

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 had a few fishermen in boats but have seen a few fishermen fishing from shore several days this week.  It seems to be slow fishing, though.  We did have a little snow this week but any ice we did have has melted.  The warm weather is expected to be a part of this week.  The docks   are pulled.  “

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 cleaning station is closed.  The water is turned off. There is no water at the  dump site and  in the campgrounds. The   boat inspection site  is closed.

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

Wade says,” What little ice we had is gone.  We have open water right now.  The Marina is closed right now.  As soon as there is safe ice we will be open  weekends but not yet. This year   there will be no vending machine for minnows.  When we do open we will sell them.  So   bring your own worms as there are none here right now with the marina being closed.  There will be no fuel available. “

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

The water temperature is 42 degrees right now. Only a few northern pike caught.  It is pretty good for lakers.  We are pulling docks today.  I left the field dock in. ”

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, “We have had a small handful of fishermen this week.  They are going after walleye with a jig and a minnow but the bite is slow.  It has warmed up nicely.   They are   catching   lake trout. The lake trout are still shallow.  There is no activity of lake trout at the dam.  The weather has been pretty different.  I came one day and the temperature was only 2 degrees.  The next day I came to work at 5:45 am and it was already 50 degrees.  At 3 pm that day it had dropped to 37 degrees.  We have no ice.  Today there is no ice on the dredge cut as the wind blew it off. You just have to stay alert with this kind of weather. ”

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

Cooney Reservoir – Mark is the   game warden at Cooney.

There ice has left at  Fisherman’s Point. The weather is changing It in the inlet side. There are fishermen going out to fish.   The bite seems to be   slow.

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson

Staff reports,”The water is open on Elmo.  There are no skims of ice anymore.   I see some cars den there but do not know if they are fishing right now. “

Deadmans  Tony Stefani

Pat says, “We are not seeing   fisherman this week.  There is no ice or snow on the road. ”

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

Terry says,” Fishing just ain’t doing very well.  I just am not hearing that any one is catching. ”

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

Judy says, “The roads and highway are great.  There was a skim of ice just starting on Bair but the changing temperatures may have changed that.  I have not heard of anyone trying to fish. ”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

Charlie said, “The only place to fish is at Spring Creek. Use red bead heads.   Other places the ice is too thin to walk on and too hard to cast on. ”

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

James   says, “I have seen one car load of fishermen this week who brought their boat only to find the bay is froze as far as you can see.  It is not thick. It is just not fit to be on. I did pull the docks.  I won’t have minnows here this winter just don’t have a way to keep them alive right now. “

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,” I have seen one   boat out on the water this week.  We have had 60 degree weather. Not much wind here and you can still get in. We did pull the docks. “

The inspection station at the landing has closed.

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

Don says,” There is ice fishing in the bay going on at Nelson.  It has been five degrees at times this week.  There have been some brave anglers who are taking their portable pop up sheds on the ice.   We do have minnows here if guys need them. “

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

Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan, Matt

Matt says:

Yellowstone: A few guys have hit the Yellowstone to fish.  They are   catching sauger using minnows going east.”

Yellowtail:  I am still hearing they are catching sauger at Yellowtail close to the state line.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Rich says, “ Some guys came in and said  they were going to Hauser  as guys were catching kokanees. The wind has been bad at  Canyon Ferry so guys are not going out. No one is going out on the rivers.  It just has not been nice weather to go out this last week.  ”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977  ,Bill

It   has warmed up.  The Yellowstone is opening up right now.  With the wind be careful if you go out and wade. People have been catching   You  can fish but watch the weather conditions. For fishing  from  shore try streamers.”

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

Beau says,” There has been   a blue wing hatch at times.  Try dry flies on the Big Horn as they are working.  The grass is almost gone.  People are catching some fish.  ”

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

Josh  said,” The water is at 4000 CSF so it is down a little.  The grass  in the water is pretty much gone.  If you had asked me 2 days ago I would have said the   water   clarity is  good.  But now I would say yesterday the clarity was off color and today it looks the same.     Streamers are working real well.  Using dry flies was fair.  Nymphs were also only working fair.  If it is cloudy and calm the dry works.

We   are open   8 am to noon now all week.

Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698

Madison River

Alice says,” Madison
With above freezing temperatures and  calm days we still have some fish looking at  blue winged olive mayflies. Try nymphing if you haven’t seen any rising fish. Streamers are also effective for those hungry, territorial fish. Remember, dark days, dark flies, bright days, light flies.

Be careful where you are wading and try to stay off the redds.

Yellowstone National Park    

Yellowstone National Park  is closed for the season until May.