Summer is slowly winding down 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 Henkel)
Rock Creek Marina- Monty LeTexier , Wyatt 1-406-485-2560
Monty says, “ this week the fish seem to be not as deep. People have been getting nice bass. Some people are getting nice size ones, just shy of 5 pounds. Guys are finding walleye between here and McGuire Creek in the weeds at 20 to 25 feet. They have been mostly eater size this week. Lake Trout are at 120 feet with a downrigger at 92 to 95 feet toward the dam. Water visibility is pretty good. The kitchen continues to be open and our hours have not changed yet. ”
“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,” Fishing seemed to be picking up. We had beautiful weather. The water elevation is 3421 and the water is 69 degrees. Frog Pond is about empty. That means no boat access here. . I heard of people catching some crappies, bass and walleye. Some people said they caught crappie using cranks. Bass fishing people said has been pretty good. Not many northern pike caught people say. Someone caught a huge cat fish. Guys caught very few walleye. “ .
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie, Greg /Warden Jordan Staley
Wade says fishing was good this week. One couple caught 40 crappies pulling cranks at 2 mph in a depth of 15 to 20 feet depths. They had the most success. Others got less but did well on crappies as well. One lady caught a 7 pound walleye at a depth of 12 to 15 feet. She was using a bottom bouncers.Someone else caught a nice catfish on a frog. It was a 12 ½ pounder. 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
Staff says,” Fishing has been slow. They have caught some small mouth and trout.“
The Marina is open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm.
Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597
Eddie says, “ Salmon has been slow this last week . If you put in the time you can come in with one fish a day. They are at 50 to 95 feet depths over a canyon ball at 110 to 170 feet of water. Lake trout fishing is still good. Lots are being caught pulling spoons at 90 to 125 feet of water. Use a jig or troll with a downrigger. Walleye fishing is good. Use a Rapala jig rap or a shiver minnow and go deep 30 plus deep. They are catching nice size walleye. You can find small mouth bass off of the face of the dam at the rocks right now. Some are going down lake to the pines and the rock piles and catching walleye as well. ”
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, “ It was not very busy over the weekend. The fish have not been biting well. It has been pretty quiet. The algae on the water seems to be less with the cooler weather.. We have gained 10 feet of shore line now. The water has lowered 20 feet.
I want to remind everyone on the leash law for Cooney, We want everyone to enjoy their visit to Cooney. Make sure your dog is on a leash to protect yourself and others. Camp reservation system ends this Sunday for the year. “
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob says,” Early this morning someone was out in a boat fishing. With school during the week it is pretty quiet during the day. The water temperature has definitely changed with the cooler days. The lake level is the same. People are catching perch and catchable rainbow trout. Those fish we put in earlier are getting bigger.”
Yellowstone County still has fire restrictions which will affect all fishing access sites. If you have a question call FWP for information, Please be careful.
The Indian Fort Access at Reed point 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.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Pat reports, “The other day there were 5 boats out there and today I see three maybe four. So people are out there trying but no one is saying they caught anything. The water is going down. Not as many campers for fishing more there for hunting.”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says “I talked to a group that went to the waters around here. They tried Newland, Bair and Sutherland and came back with one fish a piece. So it sounds like it was slow. ”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Judy says, “We heard from people who went to Bair and Martinsdale caught fish. They thought it was good fishing. Of course, with hunting season starting we are seeing not as many people are fishing . ”
Sports Center 120 2nd Ave South Lewistown, MT 535-9308 Colby / John Tognetti
Colby says, “We are all moved in. find the store at 120 2nd Ave. South in Lewistown. The building is the old Don’s Sporting Goods building. A bigger store with lots more product. Our hours are 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 4pm on Sunday.”
Colby reports, “ On Spring Creek they are finding hoppers work. They have not froze out yet. Some are seeing some caddis. It is fishing well. Use small flies and spinners .. Use the Panther Martin, the blue fox and the caddis fly.
Achley : On Achley trout fishing is piss poor right now .I talked to people who went Thursday through Sunday and did not catch a thing. Many came back with not a fish. Muskie fishing people are catching a few. It has been hit and miss. They are using cranks for Muskies. The Muskie are at 12 to 15 feet depths. My advice is change things up. Do something different.
Crooked Creek: I hear Crooked Creek has been turned on for walleye. The water has cooled.
The river water has cooled. Try jigs and plastics like the Berkley ripple shad or Paddle Tails.
East Fork : On the East Fork they are getting small mouth and perch. Guys are catching a pike or two.
Nelson: On Nelson fishing is okay. They are catching perch and some walleye.”
Crooked Creek Marina Winnett, Montana James (Slim) and Abbie Craig, Carri Craig 406-429-2999
No report this week.
Carri explains,” Lots of hunters and fisherman here this week. Fishing started off slow on Thursday and Friday but picked up part of the day on Friday. Someone caught some crappies, perch and lots of drum. Saturday people caught some nice walleye. They were 19 and 29 inches in size. People caught cats, crappies and one boy caught a 20 pound pike. He was using a bottom bouncer pulling a plug jig. Monday there were a lot of crappies and walleyes caught at depths of 27 feet depths. I saw people catch their limit. No salmon or lake trout were caught. ”
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon reports,” Fishing is good if the wind is not blowing. Some nice perch have been caught. At White Earth they are catching northern pike. Going East walleye fishing has been good at Confederate and Snaggy. The algae is not as bad. It is improving. “
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
The Flamingo has closed for the season.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Staff reports, ”Fish are biting at Nelson. Walleye fishing is good. They are catching walleye at depths of 17 to 22 foot depths.
Guys are now heading to Forchette. Cranks are working. ”
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
Jayce said, “ I am hearing from guys who are catching walleye and bass at the After Bay on the Big Horn. It is right where the water dumps into the river..
I hear the lower Yellowstone by Custer and Terry has been good for bass and sauger. They are finding them with a jig and a minnow in the holes.
On the Yellowstone at Miles City the catfish fishing has been good. Some nice ones caught.
People say Fort Peck has dropped. They are shotting with a soft minnow at depths of 20 to 25 foot depths.
We just got in a lot of minnows if you need them.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says,” the rivers have come up, not a lot. Right now there is not much irrigation going on. It is mossy in places. People are telling me they are catching trout. Spin casting is not good because of the mossy areas. About all that you can use is a bobber and a worm. Fly fishermen are using grasshopper imitations.
I hear people are doing pretty good at Canyon Ferry for walleye. The algae guys say is not as bad. It definitely is not as bad as it usually has been in past years.”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill, Ken, Jasmine
Jasmine says , “The Yellowstone is fishing very well. Try using a Purple Haze or hoppers . Use a nymph with legs when it is cooler. Try dries on days when it is warmer. Look for caddis. Flies and hoppers in peach and tan are working now. The water clarity is 4 to 6 feet deep. The Indian Fort is still closed.
The Stillwater is so low it is too bony to float. It is good to wade and walk. Try dries as they are working. Use hoppers in size 12 and 14. Try using a Jack Cabe, , PMX, and flies in yellow, orange and olive. People are catching a lot of browns and some rainbows and whitefish.”
We are open Monday to Sunday from 9 to 5 pm.”
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says,” The Big Horn is not good fishing. I have canceled trips as it is that bad. I did not want to but I don’t want people here if the fishing is this bad. IYou see the hatch but the fish are just not hungry. You see the hatch on the surface or sub surface and yet the fish are just not eating. The water is green.“
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Rick reports,” Fishing is not real good. Nymphing is slow. There are some bugs . Try dries on the top three miles. Fishing on the 3 to 13 is spotty. The good news is that streamers are picking up. Try the thin mint as it is starting to work. Try black bunny leaches in a 10 and 14 The cs is 3,000 and it is 96 percent full. ”
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
No report available.
