Central to Eastern MT Fishing Report 12.24.18
By angelamontana

Posted: December 24, 2018

Winter   is  here and that means sudden changes in weather and water or ice  conditions.  Outdoor enthusiasts including fishermen need to pay attention to these changes.   Storms can  come on  quickly so fishermen or fisherwomen need to   keep in touch with the weather service and let others know where they  are for safety sake when  out and about.  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.

 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

 Rock Creek Marina- Monty LeTexier Marina number is less reliable in winter.  1-406-485-2560

Clint says, “Someone flew over and said there is ice at Rock Creek but it is 20 to 30 feet from shore.  After that it  is still is wide open,

  The past weeks have been difficult for Neil and Linda as Neil had triple bypass heart surgery.  Due to the emergency they will not be up at Rock Creek.  Linda says that you can still make reservations for spring by calling 1-406-230-1283 and she can set you up.  She has the book with her.  At this point she has no idea when things will change. So there are no services there.  Neil is mending and following doctor’s orders.  We at the Montana Outdoor Radio Show wish him well as do all of their fishing   friends.

“We have closed the Marina as of October 1st. We still have limited services.  Linda and Neal sadly will not be at Rock Creek.   Call this number 1-406-230-1283 for any questions or news.  The  Marina number  will probably not bring much result. With the other number Linda   will help you.  “Monty says.

Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg

Raymond says, “We have not seen many people this week.  The River is frozen.  The ice   depth is three to 6 inches.  The people fishing at Rattlesnake point and Campers Point were catching fish. They were catching crappies, pike and some perch.  One fellow told me they were using minnows.”

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 explains, “ We  are opening the Marina on Friday, December 28th. We   will be stocked with multiple size minnows.

I hear   Rattlesnake has 6 inches of ice. Campers Point has  3 to 4 inches.  Some nice walleye and northern pike   have been caught.”

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

Clint said,” We   have no  ice.  We need a cold snap to make ice and it has not happened yet.”

The Marina is open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm.  ­­­­­­­

Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597

Milly says, “There is no ice yet. We again have had a lot of wind which makes fishing not possible. We have had no   fishermen out this week here.  There is ice in the dredges  and  some people are braving walking on it.  Feel free to call for conditions.   ”

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, “ We did  have ice at Red Lodge and Willow Creek   Campgrounds but  the  wind  and warm weather has deteriorated  it.    It is dangerous and   not recommended to get on  . ”

The fish cleaning station is still open .  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 reports,” we are only seeing a skiff of  ice  now on Elmo.   The wind and warm temps  has changed things.  You cannot even fish from shore right now because of unsafe conditions. “

 Deadmans Tony Stefani/ Pat

A skiff of thin ice is now  out there.  With a lot of wind  it does not seem to thicken.  We have had 2 to 3    fishermen   out yesterday.  We have   no  idea if those few shore fishermen have caught anything.  ” Tony tells us.

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

 Terry explains, “People  have   headed to Sutherland as they said there is good ice there.  They say they are catching a few. “

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

 Rick says, “There is  6 to 8 inches of   ice on Bair. There have been  people out there fishing.    There has been one hut on the ice.  Sutherland also has ice and there are three  hard sided huts on it.  ”

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

Our hours are 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 4pm on Sunday.”

 Colby   reports, “The East Fork, Hanson and Casino Creek have ice. The   East fork has 6 to 8  inches of ice.  Hanson Dam has 8 inches of ice.  I hear Crooked Creek has turned on and has   ice.  It is good for walleye people have said.

 Nelson also has good fishing.  You can catch some perch and walleye.

Achley has very thin ice.  It has been really windy and that is moving the ice skiffs. Nothing you can get on.  “

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

 Abbie says, “We have 8 inches of ice. People have been catching walleye, pike, perch and crappies.  Use a minnow and a jig.  It is frozen as far as the eye can see.  We have no snow. Slim is now  at the marina full time.  If you have questions call Slim at 406-366-6313 and leave a message.  “

 Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

(no new report this week)

Staff   says,” It has been blowing a lot in the last 3 days.  The wind makes fishing hard.  We have no ice.    Feel free to call if you want to know how conditions are.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the last week in January for the annual Lions perch tournament.”

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,” Nelson is iced over and has 8 inches.  There is plenty of ice. They are getting fish.

On Forchette it is icing up but it is definitely not ready yet. It is too thin. “

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, “Cooney has less ice.  It may be gone by now. Lots if wind and warm temps so are careful as things are changing.

I hear Crooked Creek has ice and people are catching.

 One of the guys heard of people fishing on Deadman but definitely not safe enough for him to go out on. “

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Rich says,” People have said they were heading to Harrison but they found the ice not safe.  There is no one at the Ponds and wasn’t yesterday so I think the ice is not good any more. We have had 40 degree temperatures and lots of wind. ”

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

A few people who headed out said   it was slow.  There is ice on the edge of the water in places but for how long I don’t know. It is supposed to be getting colder. Small streamers may work.”

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

Beau says,” The Big Horn some say is picking up but the wind has made it difficult to fish.  Streamers have worked. ”

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

 They have had lots   of wind this week.  A few   fishermen   were out there.  Streamers are working.  Use ones that look like a silhouette or water color. “

Our hours   are   8 am to 12 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

There  is lots of wind so fishing is slow.  If no wind   there should be midges hatching in the middle of the day.  Small nymphs are a good guess  especially midges or flashy streamers.

Merry Christmas!

 Yellowstone Park

All fishing in Yellowstone is closed until 2019.

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