Summer has arrived 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. The fire season also means we all need to be alert to be actions and conditions. 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 can come 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- Monty LeTexier , Wyatt 1-406-485-2560
Wyatt reports, “ The small mouth are fishing pretty good right now. The walleye bite is slow. It is tough bite. People are finding them in the early morning and just as the sun goes down. They are catching more salmon and lake trout. You have to use a downrigger at 80 feet to get them. The water is 75 degrees in the bays, They are finding them heading to San Arroyo going north. It hasn’t flipped yet but it could be coming soon. ”
“Our hours are Sunday to Thursday 7 am to 9 pm. Friday to Sunday 7 am to 11pm. We are willing to open early or later than these hours depending on the need. We are excited to get people fishing and hear their fishing stories , “Monty says.
Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg
Raymond says,” I have a few northern pike caught and people say they have caught walleye . Crappie and bass. They still are mainly catching bass. People are saying the fish are heading to the shallows. . The water temperature is warm, 75 today. The water is going down slowly. I know because we have had to adjust the dock. The water has good clarity.”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie, Greg /Warden Jordan Staley
Wade reports, “They are catching crappies at 30 feet. The guys are saying they are suspended at 15 feet off the bottom. They are a decent size. People are finding lots of small mouth bass and also some large mouth. Head to all the structures to find them. The walleye have been hit and miss. They seem to be at 15 to 25 feet. Use live bait jigging to get them. ”
The Marina is now open every day. Our hours are 8 to 5 Monday to Thursday and Friday and Saturday 7 to 9. On Sunday we will be open from 7 to 5 pm.
Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Layne 1-406- 557-2345
Tyler says, “ Fishing has been just alright. Guys are catching bass mostly from anywhere from 10 to 15 mile from the bay. Try bottom bouncers at 24 feet down. They were catching walleye and bass. I haven’t heard of anyone catching northern poke. Try slow death with just one bead is working in blue and gold. With the water being warm at 75 to 80 degrees some of the time fishing is hit and miss. Lake trout are towards the dam at depths of 50 to 70 feet. The thermal climb is 12 feet.
The Marina is open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm.
Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597
Carrie says, “ Fishing is just maintaining. The salmon fishing is picking up. They are small ones, 6 to 8 pounds. They are using Brad bait cup and blue Hot Collars and down riggers. The walleye bite is consistent. . They are mostly catching them on leeches and crawlers. Some are using a mixed revel. They are fishing the main lake towards the pines for walleye. Not any pike being caught. There is plenty of catching of lake trout. They are being caught at 90 to 115 feet. ”
We do have minnows, suckers, fatheads, Smelt, night crawlers, hooks, floaters, full suckers, wax and meal worms and white and pink maggots here for the guys to use. Our hours are 7am-6 pm Monday through Sunday. ”
Cooney Reservoir – Marina Matheson. Shauni, Cynthia
Marina reports, “ The water is receding. People seem to be catching walleye and perch. They are using worms and night crawlers. It seems to be good fishing. The fish cleaning station has been busy. All campgrounds fully open. The boat ramp is now open as well. I want to remind people to be prepared when you go to the boat ramp. You should have everything you need in the boat already before you get there. “
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob reports, “The heat has slowed fishing. During the day a number of paddlers and swimmers are out during the middle of the day. The fishermen are coming early in the morning and late in the day. They are catching. The lake is still full Guys are catching trout, perch and some bass.
I hear they are catching bass at Big Horn Reservoir.
On Friday, August 10th the Yellowstone County will begin fire restrictions. .”
The Indian Fort Access at Reedpoint will be closed the rest of the summer. It is restricted to walk in only. There has been some damage to the road which has narrowed the road and is dangerous. That has to be repaired
The East Bridge Lockwood fishing access is closed as there is construction going on,” Bob explains
Grant marsh fishing access washed out on the Big Horn so it is walk in only. The Wildlife access area is completely open.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Pat reports.” We have seen a number of fishermen this week. They have not been catching. We had a great deal of rain last night which also changes conditions. The water is going down but very slowly. .”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says “Lots of people have tried to catch fish. I hear they caught a few at Newland but that was all. They tried at Martinsdale, Checkerboard, Bair and Sutherlan and had very little success. I have had people come in for worms.”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Judy says, “I heard from some people who went to Martinsdale and caught fish. Right now it is typical summer fishing. A few told me they were catching a few fish on Bair. They say they caught trout very early in the morning and late in the day. I did not hear from anyone who went to Bair this week.”
Sports Center 320 West Main Street, Lewistown, MT 535-9308 Colby / John Tognetti
John says, “ At Achley the fishing is okay in the early morning. What is working best is live bait, night crawlers and leeches.
Spring Creek is clear and is fishing well. They are seeing a small caddis hatch. The grasshoppers are also working. Use the Panther Martin and the blue fox. Those are bringing good results.
Cats are being caught on the Missouri right now. Use night crawlers or cut bait as they are working. The mosquitos are bad. Bring your bug spray.
On Crooked Creek at Forchette fishermen are saying it is fishing well. They are using crawlers and leeches. Try using cranks for northern pike. Guys are catching walleye and crappies.“
Crooked Creek Marina Winnett, Montana James (Slim) and Abbie Craig, Carri Craig 406-429-2999
Abby explains,” It was rough fishing this week. People had a harder time catching fish this week. What worked last week did not work this week. The fish were in completely different places. The water is going down pretty fast and that maybe part of it. The bass came into shore. People were just tossing a line in from shore and catching bass with just a worm and a bobber. They were getting one almost every time. They are catching walleye next to the marina instead of out further like last week. Just not as many. Some cats are being caught. I have seen some crappie and perch being caught just not in the regular places. The water is 80 degrees. It just was weird how everything changed. Maybe the water is ready to flip. I can’t explain it.”
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon reports,” Fishing has picked up this week. They are getting quantities of perch and trout. The walleye are a bit more in size. I did see one 10 ½ pounds. People are going in all directions. Trout fishing is good as is the perch. They are catching pretty much everything. The trout have been 3 to 4 pounders.
The Camp-mak-a-dream walleye benefit is this Saturday. You can register on Friday night at Gazebo3 with Carol. All are welcome. ”
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
The Flamingo is now open.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
The perch bite this week was pretty good. Fishing at Nelson has picked up. They are at depths of 25 to 35 feet. Use a jig with a minnow or a leech or a rap. Try worm harness for walleye. It is still weedy from shore so you have to go deep. Bring lots of worms you will need them. The bugs are bad so bring bug spray.
Forchette was better fishing this week. The bigger fish are at 40 foot depths.
Stop by the store. We do have minnows here if you need them.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday”
Billings-Scheels Jayce, Tanner, Matt
Matt said, “I am hearing the rivers are good. The Yellowstone has improved. The Stillwater and the Boulder are good fishing right now. On the Yellowstone they are catching a lot of walleye.
The Salmon and lake trout are doing well at the damn.
The walleye, pike and bass are about a month being/ so the action is still going on.
The Big Horn is pretty good and people are catching.
Really pay attention to the water temperature right now. “
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says ,” Canyon Ferry seems to be pretty good fishing. Guys have caught some good size ones. I have heard of three over 30 inches. They are also catching some good size perch in sizes of 12 to 13 inches.
The rivers have cleared and are down a little. There are fly fishermen out there and I have heard that both flies and spinners are working. They are catching fish.”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill, Ken
Chris says, “ On the Stillwater use a dropper with a bead head. Use a chubby, a purple Haze or Jack Cabe which are definitely working. The cfs has gone down. The Stillwater is clear.
The Yellowstone is coming around. It is still dropping a little. Realize the river is different. Many channels have been blown. Purple Haze is starting to work. Try some dry flies now. With the cooler weather right now and that will help fishing. Use the Chubbie there as well. The Grinch is working. Visibility is not there yet. Water clarity needs to improve more. You can nymph fish as well. Try a Prince, a hairs ear, pheasant tail or the Batman. ”
We are open Monday to Sunday from 9 to 5 pm.”
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Bea says,” I fished the Big Horn again. Tricots are okay in the morning. Streamers are working okay. The cfs is around 4300. Try black caddis patterns in the evening. It is not as good as the tricots. I still think the river is in rough shape. You can catch fish but you have to work it. Nymph fishing is not good right now. The water is coming down slowly. The water is greenish, brownish. Try using cray fish, sow bugs or a size 12 pheasant tail “ Beau explains.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Rick reports,” Right now there are more places to wade. You can get to the islands . It is easier floating. The cfs is at 3500 cfs right now. There are tricots out there in the early hours. People are starting to fish at 5:30 am. As they are out there. Dries are working better, nymphing is about normal. The Black caddis is out in the evening. For dry flies there is a tricot hatch in the morning and a caddis hatch in the evening. It is also a nymphing bite. Try a gray or tan ray, a zebra, black pheasant tail, olive pheasant tail , caddis or an emergent. Try streamers like. The thin mint, dirty hippy, vanilla wafer or a sinking tip. The water is a little off color, like a brownish wash. You can see into it. There is not a lot of grass or weeds yet.”
Our summer hours are 8 am to 5 every day.
Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698.
Madison River
Alice reports, “We still have a great water level on the Madison and the fish are eating terrestrials! Hoppers, beetles and ants are working right now. Pale morning dun mayflies are out early in the day and caddis are still around early and late.
Yellowstone National Park
Don’t forget your bear spray, patience and rubber soled wading boots. The higher elevation streams are seeing good numbers of PMDs. Fish are also eating ants and hoppers. These higher elevation streams are running higher than average for this time of year, great for the fish and the hatches!”
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