Central to Eastern Montana Fishing Report 10.17.18
By angelamontana

Posted: October 18, 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.  

(reports compiled by Carol Henckel)

 Rock Creek Marina- Monty LeTexier , Wyatt  For winter call 1-406-230-1283  for Linda  Marina number is less reliable in winter.  1-406-485-2560

Linda  says, “ We really have not seen any people fishing this week.  No one has come out.  We had really nasty cold weather with lots and lots of wind. We have pulled the docks. “

We have closed the Marina as of October 1st. We still have limited services.  Linda and Neal will still be at Rock Creek.  We still have cabins for rent.  Call this number 1-406-230-1283 .  The  Marina number  will probably not bring much result. With the other number  Linda or Neal will help you.  If you call and come up we can provide food.  Speak to Linda about that.  The fuel docks are pulled but we do have fuel by the Marina should you need it.

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, “Monty says.

Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg

Raymond ays,” We had snow start on Friday and fall off and on  all weekend.   Not many people came to fish.  There is one boat   out today but I have not heard how they are doing. The weather is beautiful today.   There are no reservations needed for camp sites it is now first come first take. Everything is shut down like the electricity and water.  The cleaning station has been closed.  There are sites still open at Campers Point #1 to 11 and have electric hookups on year round.   “    .

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

Wade   says, “I was up on Saturday for a little while  and the weather was  pretty ugly.  There were  no boats  out that day  fishing. In Dayton we got 5 inches of snow  last weekend.  The docks are still in so you could hit the autumn fishing which can be good.  I bet   you could catch some nice fish if the weather gets better.

  We have now closed the Marina until there is a need   during ice fishing season.  Our   hours have changed.  We are now closed

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

Staff  says,” The fishing for  this week  was really tough.  There were few people out fishing  but they did not get many bites for  northern pike and walleye.   Last week  some  guys got  pike but hey were pretty shallow. “

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, “The lake trout have moved shallow to 30 to 60 feet.  Spoons are working  with banana weights going 1.7 mph  to 2 mph   Walleye fishing is really slow. They are going to depths of 28 feet with cranks.  Northern pike is also a slow bite right now.  The salmon activity is real slow.  The few they are finding  are close in by the Marina.  They are using cranks.. ”

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, “There have been people fishing but they are coming early and staying late so I have not heard how they are doing.  The fish cleaning station is still open but I hear not much activity there.   The algae is gone.  We had a dusting of snow this morning.   The duck hunters are having success. The campground is now first come first serve now as the reservation system is done taking them for the season. The boat ramps are out.  The Marshall Cove campground is now open. The drinking water has been shut down for the winter.  Our electric is on year around.  The North shore campground is now closed. “

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson

Bob  says,” There is  fishing going on.  Of course the weather has changed things.  The wind today is really blowing and there are only a few out  there.  The lake level is still full  I know  the ditch has been shut down now.”

 The Indian Fort Access at Reed point is closed the rest of the season

 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 be repaired,” Bob explains

 Deadmans Tony Stefani/ Pat

“We only have one   boat this week.  They did take the dock out.   We did not hear any report from anyone that they caught anything.  Lots of wind and some snow this week,” Pat tells us.

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

 Terry says “I have seen no fishermen this week.  The weather was just not nice.   We have only had antelope hunters coming through.  .”

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

 Judy  says, “It was so cold not anyone out fishing this weekend.  This week I did   hear from a small group of people who caught walleye and trout at Bair early in the week..  They did catch their limit.  They were using worms and they said it was pretty cool and windy. I did not hear anything about Sutherland.”

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

 We have lots more products now for fishing and hunting needs.  Our hours are 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 4pm on Sunday.”

 John reports, “Not much word on fishing this week. We saw more hunters than fishermen come in.

 On the Missouri river  people are catching some  nice walleye and sauger. They are using minnows with a jig.

On Achley with the cooler weather  guys are catching  trout.  They are using night crawlers that seem to be what is working this week.

At Spring Creek guys have not caught much.  The fly fishermen are finding it only turned on for a few hours.  With the 60 degree temps  I  predict  better fishing. Try Mepps and Panther Martins.”

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

Carry    explains,”  We had more hunters than fishermen.  There was a lot of wind.  Two boats braved the water and caught a few fish.  They used a bottom bouncer at 20 to 35 feet and caught some walleye.  One fellow caught a nice big pike  in 50 feet of water.  Our docks are still in.”

Carrie explains, ”Some people have said they have trouble getting us. This is our time to get things done outside before winter hits so we may not be sitting next to the phone.  Please leave a message as we will call you back.  We will make sure you hear from us. ”

 Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

  Sharon   reports,” Actually, fishing has been pretty good when  you could get on the water when the wind died down.  Lots of walleye have been caught.  Some big perch were caught this week.  If you are into trout you can catch them as well.  “

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,” On Nelson people are fishing with Mepps.  They are going 20 feet or deeper.  It is decent fishing right now for walleye.  It has been rainy this week.  Go to depths of 25 feet or deeper to catch them.  They are using jigging wraps and minnows with bottom bouncers.

On Forchette this week I hear they are catching cats.  They are using jigs and catching some nice big ones.  I hear of only a few walleye being caught.   ”

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   reports, “On the Yellowstone around Forsyte guys are catching sauger, walleye and bass.  They are using jigs with minnows.

On Yellowtail things are starting to heat up. On the south end the bite is good for sauger.   They said they were catching a few walleye.

I talked to someone who fished Tongue.  It has been really slow they say.  He fished all day and caught nothing.

Some people headed to Cooney and caught a couple of walleye.  He said it was a real slow bite.

We have put out   the ice fishing products.  Come check out   our shelves. The weather is changing and Ice fishing   is coming soon. ”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Rich says,” I did not hear anything from Canyon Ferry.  It was pretty and we had wind and snow so no one even tried to go out.  My only customers were guys coming in to get parts to make things. The warm weather this week may change things but on the other hand it is opening day for rifle season so their mind is on other things.”

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

Chris says, “I was out on Thursday. The Yellowstone was fishing okay until the weather hit.  Use streamers.   No particular streamer at this time. I also used some dries and caught some fish on a blue wing.   We are seeing a hatch at about 1 to 2 pm.  out there.

 The Stillwater is very   low.  I have not heard of anyone wading or walking to fish. ”

  The Indian Fort is still closed.

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,” I am heading to the Missouri this week.  I have heard the Big Horn is a little bit better some days. They say the way to go on the Big Horn is to use a dry fly.  Try a pseudo hatch and go after the cream mayflies out there. Nymphing is slow working.  “

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

 Stephanie says,” Everything is about the same out here.  The cfs is still 3,200.  The water temperature is 58 degrees.  The fishing on the upper spring portion is better.  Use a dry out there right now.  Try the pseudo patterns.    The grass and moss is blowing off now.  The water is murky but clearing. Try a thin mint or something white.

With the warm temperature predicted this week and next.  We love having walk ins so come in and go fishing.  ”

Our hours   are   8 am to 5 every day.

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

Fishes Madison River and Yellowstone National Park waters

Madison

Cloudy afternoons have seen better hatches of blue winged olive mayflies but fish are still looking for them in any light. Nymph fishing is quite good until the water warms up. Streamer fishing is good most days, pick your favorite pattern and stick with it.

Yellowstone Park

Rainbow and brown trout continue to move upstream from Hebgen Lake into the Madison River drainage. They are willing to eat swung soft hackles and streamers with regularity. Blue wings olive mayflies are hatching on the Firehole River most afternoons and the fishing has been good. Higher elevation streams in the park fish well on the warmer afternoons. Please be courteous to your fellow angler, wear vibram and carry your bear spray.  Check current road and weather conditions this time of year before heading into the park.

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing