Central to Eastern MT Fishing Report 9.26.18
By angelamontana

Posted: September 27, 2018

Autumn is here and that means sudden changes in weather and 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 is still on us so it means we all need to be alert to be alerts 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 with fierce strength.  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, “Somebody went out yesterday for the first time with decent weather. We had a lot of rain this week. We also had lots of wind except on Monday so getting out was tough.  They did very, very well on northern pike. They headed toward McGuire Creek. They came back with 15 northern pike with a couple of 10 pounders.  They found them at 25 feet depths using bottom bouncers.  They also caught one crappie.  They were bottom bouncing.  A few salmon have been caught this week but not very big.

The season is winding down and I want to say that I feel so blessed that the patrons that left have come back. Everyone has been so good.  The customers that were regulars at the campground really helped.  I want to especially thank Tanya Leppelid and Michelle Gibbs.  They helped Linda so I could go to my son, Trase play on the Grizzly football team.  I really appreciated that.  I also want to thank Neal and Linda Willnitz for making this year possible.  They helped so much.  ”

 “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 has been hit and miss.  It has been more than normal of the last month people are saying.  The water elevation   is down a little to   3419   and the water was 65 degrees today.   There is a decent bass bite.   People are catching   a few more crappies.  Some people were using cranks.  They headed toward south Rattlesnake. There are no reservations needed for camp sites it is now first come first take. The electricity and water are still on.  The cleaning station is still open.  Frog Pond is   empty.  There is no boat access there.  “    .

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

Wade   says, “We had a good weekend of fishing.  I saw a 43 ½ inch, 17 ½ pound northern pike that was caught. They seemed to be finding s decent crappie bite.  They are catching a few walleye.  Someone caught a 7 pounder.  They are not catching their limit that is for sure.  It is raining today (Tuesday)

 Our   hours have changed.  We are now closed   Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We are open  8 to 6 on Thursday,  Friday is 8 to 9 , Saturday 7 to 9. and Sunday we are open   from 7 to 5 pm.

 Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Layne 1-406- 557-2345

Staff says,” Not many fishermen here this week.  It is tough fishing.  A few small mouth and trout were caught. “

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, “   It has been pretty slow fishing.  We have had wind and rain most of the week there have been a few salmon in the bay caught.  Not any big numbers. Not many lake trout were caught this week. A few guys went out for walleye but fishing was slow. Try a Rapala jig rap or a shiver minnow and go deep 30 plus deep. Not many were caught.”

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, “Fishing is good right now.  People are catching trout, walleye and perch

Marina explains, “. The   algae on the water are less and less each day. The water is going down.  There is definitely more mud in the shallows.  The campground is now first come first serve now as the reservation system is done taking them for the season. The boat ramps are coming out on Friday.  The Marshall Cove campground and boat dock continues to be closed until October 1st.  We are trimming trees and cleaning up the area. “

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson

Bob says,” Fishing has slowed down. I see they are using little tiny lures. They are not catching much.   The lake level is still full. I do see that the irrigation ditch is going down.”

 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 is closed the rest of the summer.  The department is working on a plan to put stability in the area and then hopefully they can get stated on that next summer some time. 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,” Bob explains

 Deadmans Tony Stefani

 There were people fishing out of boats more than from shore when the weather was decent.  Not a lot of catching going on.    The water is going down.

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

*Due to a sudden illness there is no report this week.

 Terry says “I had people tell me they went fishing at Martinsdale.  They caught rainbow trout in the 3 to 5 pounds range. They were fishing from shore and boat.   The guys went 3 to 4 times this week.  They were using cowbells and worms,”

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

 Judy says, “It was kind of a slow week for fishing.  This week we heard from a group of five people who fished at Martinsdale.  They went home with one nice trout and caught one sucker for the five of them.  They were using a variety of power bait and worms.  I did not hear any news about Sutherland.  We did have lots of rain and rain this week.  ”

Sports Center 120 2nd Ave South  Lewistown, MT   535-9308  Colby / John Tognetti

 It 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.”

 John reports, “The Missouri is fishing pretty well.  They are catching some cats, walleye and sauger. Use night crawlers and minnows…

 On Spring Creek the fall hatch is not abundant yet. So fly fishing is less productive right now.  Spin fishermen are doing good.  With the weather changing and getting cooler things will change.

 Use a night crawler or a lure. One that works is Jake’s spin a-lure.  It has been hit and miss.

At Hansen Dam you can catch trout in the morning and in the evening.”

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

Carri    explains,” We had rain and weather this week so fishing was very   slow.  We had lots of moisture and some thick fog.   People did catch   some fish a few days. It was 43 degrees last night so that changes things.  Someone did catch a 40 inch northern pike and a 20 inch walleye bottom bounces using orange at a depth of 20 feet.  Someone else caught a 38 inch northern from shore.  It seems you do not have to go far out as you can catch everything close. ”

 Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

  Sharon   reports,” Fishing is very good, It is good everywhere.  The walleye are average and they are 14 to 18 inch size.   Perch fishing was very good this week.  The alga is not as bad. “

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  

Jim   reports,”Fishing at Nelson has been good.  Go to depths of 20 to 25 feet.  They are using worm harnesses and a jig for walleyes.  Guys are also catching perch.  The perch caught have been 10 to 12 inchers.  Wedded have rain so that effected the bite as well.

I have not   heard anything about Forchette.  With the rain that had to change the fishing there I would think.  ”.

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, “My brother went to the Yellowstone going east.    He got a dozen small mouth and 5 sauger.  He was using cranks and Flicker Shads.

On Yellowtail guys are catching a few saugers on the South end.

Big Horn  The Big Horn people are telling me is pretty slow right now.

Upper Yellowstone I talked to some guys who were on the Upper Yellowstone and they were catching browns with streamers.

Cooney People are saying they are catching but not a lot on a trip.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Rich says,” I was at Crooked Creek last week.  It rained some days.  We did catch fish a few walleye and northern pike, cats, crappies, golden eye and drums.  Most were at 20 feet depths.  We caught more cats. The walleye were 15 to 17 inch size.  We used a jig and worm.  The fish seemed to like white best.  Most days the weather was 60 degrees for a high.  The water temperature was 62 degrees.

I have   heard people are still doing pretty well at Canyon Ferry.  They are catching walleye pretty much anywhere.  The alga is better.

The word at Toston Dam is they have pushed the distance to 300 feet away below the dam to fish.  That is as close as you can get.  They do have a game warden enforcing the rule. “

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill, Ken, Jasmine

Jasmine says, “The Yellowstone is fishing okay.  The cold did put a kink in the fishing a bit. Try using a Purple Haze or size12 hoppers.   If the weather stays cool   use a nymph with leg.  Try a Prince or a Hairs ear.  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 very   low so wade and walk.  We are seeing some very small bugs but it is not caddis or mayfly.  The fish are eating them.  Use anything smaller then 16.  Hoppers are not working like they were before.  People are expecting soon.  If it   comes use the  emergers   especially when it is a colder day.  The water is doing something weird.  We are seeing the water peak and then go down in the same day.  That makes fishing a challenge and you have to really watch what is happening.

The browns are not heading up the Stillwater yet.  ”

We are   open Monday to Sunday from 9 to 5 pm.”

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

*No new Report this week

Beau says,” The Big Horn I am told is a bit better.  They say the grass is a little better fishing.   I headed to the Yellowstone this week and fished.  The Yellowstone is fishing okay. If you nymph as I did you can catch white fish, rainbow and cutthroat.    Fish with grasshopper patterns or streamers as that is what is working.  I found the color pink is working well.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

Stephanie and Collette say,” Fishing is a struggle right now.  One guide just came in from fishing all day and he said the thought it had improved a little this week. Try a thin mint it has worked on some days.   There are some caddis in the evening.  You have to be in the right place at the right time.  There are some tricot but you really have to work for it.   The cfs 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

Overnight lows are below freezing, cooling off the water quite a bit. Once the sun warms up the water, caddis and blue winged olive mayflies are present. Terrestrial fishing has been great on the warm, windy afternoons.

Yellowstone Park

Higher elevation streams are fishing late in the day with mayflies and terrestrials. Bears are on the move; don’t forget your bear spray. Lower elevation streams are cooling off and fishing has been good most of the day. Caddis and some blue winged olive mayflies on the cloudy days. Remember no felt boots in Yellowstone National Park.

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