Spring is here and that means sudden changes in weather and water. 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 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.

(report compiled by Carol Henckel)

Rock Creek Marina- Monty LeTexier , Wyatt 1-406-230-1283 for Linda

Marina number is less reliable in winter. 1-406-485-2560

Staff reports,” today is a lovely day. Someone went fishing off the dock and just caught a nice walleye off the dock. The weekend was rough because of the weather. We had lots of wind and rain so not many could get out. That made the road rough. Today it is dried out and the people came in this morning said it was okay but a slow drive as it dries. People who went out in boats are finding the walleye in the weeds. The walleye and the pike are pretty shallow still. They are using cranks with minnows and worms.

Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg

Raymond report, ” Fishing has been improving. Someone caught a nice pike at the frog pond. People are starting to find and catch more fish. From shore guys are catching small mouth bass and a few large mouths. We have seen more walleye caught as well. The water was 65 degrees this morning. It is clearing some. The level is a little lower. The walleye is being at 6 to 10 depths using jigs and leeches. The campground below the dam was opened Friday. It is open and fully operational. ”

**The reservation system is now in effect . We are part of a new pilot program that allows you to make a reservation one day ahead. We are hoping that this brings in people who have been unable to use the campground on short notice. Other spots like Campers Point, Sandpoint, Peewee, Rattlesnake, Peewee North, and River view below the dam are open to first come, first serve. They have no electrical. The docks are in.

Remember to check your regulations for the information for this region about what minnows you may use on Tongue. “ .

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

Stephanie reports , “ fishing is a little better. We are not seeing may walleye. We did see a 29-inch walleye caught by a jig and a minnow. The people fishing from shores caught some perch and bass from shore. People are jigging. The water temperature was 62 to 65 degrees. The water clarity is a little better. We had a couple of storms this week. It also was cooler as well. “

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

Clint reports, ” we had 3 days early last week that were good. People were catching walleye, bass and some nice pike. The weather changed and the lady’s tournament ended up being changed to Sunday. They caught walleye were 8 to 14 inches long. Not many big but they were deep. The pike are being caught at 3 to 4 feet to 14 feet. People were pitching spoons. The walleye bite has been good after the storm and they are pitching cranks from 1 to 10 to 12 feet. A few are vertical jigging. You can get a bite from Hell Creek clear to Crooked Creek. What we are finding is the walleye bite is better in the morning to Crooked Creek and in the afternoon evening the walleye bite is better at Hell Creek. ”

Hell Creek Marina is open 7 days a week. ­­­­­­­

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

Justin reports, “ walleye fishing is pretty good. The fish are at depths of 10 feet using crawlers and heading toward the Pines. Lake trout fishing has been good. They are heading toward York Island and Hacksbee at 70 to 100 feet depths. Guys are using down riggers and spoons. They are getting pike with cranks. Someone got a 15 pounder. Weather was a factor last weekend with lots of wind and rain. The water is really stirred but it is clearing today. “

We can cover all your needs and if you want to charter a boat, we can help with that too. Our hours are 7am-6 pm Monday through Sunday.

Fort Peck Marina Jessica & Scott Collinsworth 1-406-565-6283

Thursday, Friday and Monday 9am to noon/ Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 9pm

Scott reports, “ fishing had a low period on the weekend because of weather. There was wind and rain. It stirred the water. Since then things have picked up. People have been doing well fairly close in. The fish have been shallow. They have been fairly close to shore. Use a crawler or a leach. Now people again are catching nice fish. . There have been lots of walleye caught. It also has been good for northern pike. The lake trout are to depths of 110 feet. They continue to do well for them,“

The bait and tackle store is open Thursday thru Monday, and we have everything you need for chasing fish on Fort Peck. We also have campsites available with power for anyone that wants to bring your camper to the lake. The spots are on concrete and right on the lake shore. You can access the lake right from your camper. “

Cooney Reservoir – Marina Matheson. Shauni, Cynthia, Jake

Cynthia reports,” the north shore boat ramp is the only dock open right now. . The boat dock at Red Lodge is not open The Overlook and most of Red Lodge campground are open. The water clarity is slightly better. People fishing this week were using a crawler or a leach. The water is a little bit clearer. The guys have been going towards the east more . Fishermen Point, Cottonwood and Marshal Cove continue to be closed.

The walleye bite has been pretty good. They say they are using leaches. The trout are hitting a little this week. They are catching some crappie on the north end.

If wanting to make reservations or have made a reservation check because they may have been cancelled as the spots closed at Cooney have been extended. ”

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson

It is summer and a lot of people have been out there fishing. They are catching some nice bass .

We see more fishermen in the morning. The recreation people are coming out in mid-morning.

Deadmans Tony Stefani/ Pat

Pat says,” I talked to some fishermen who had caught 4 trout and a carp from shore yesterday. They said it was decent fishing. We have seen fishermen out at Deadman’s both in boats and from shore. The water is definitely higher we have no beach. The water is clear.

The Broadview pond area has seen lots of people fishing early in the day. People are fishing from the bank. ”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner bar Lavina 406-636-2261

Terry explains, “ No one has talked about going fishing at Martinsdale. If they are going, they are not saying if they got anything. I hear they are catching fish at Broadview pond. They say that it has slowed down a little. The usually caught 4 to 5-pound rainbow trout using powerbait there.”

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

Rick says,” people are saying fishing was pretty fair this week. They were catching some at Bair, Sutherlan and Martinsdale. The guys who went to Martinsdale said it was slower fishing. Some days crawlers and pulling cow bells were working. Guys tried that on Bair. Some guys decided to try Newlan and caught a few salmon. ”

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 , “ I went to Canyon Ferry this weekend. The weather was definitely not great. We caught one fish a 30 incher. Not much action.

Achley- The Achley Tiger Muskie Fishing Derby was June 22nd. Someone caught one the day before the tournament, but no one caught any during the tournament. The water is clear.

Spring Creek is off color . It is doing alright for streamers. Some spinners are working. Try a nymph or a panther marten.

Petrolia- I heard guys caught walleye but mostly small ones.

Crooked Creek- I hear guys at Crooked Creek are heading to Forchette. . You can use just about anything to catch walleye and pike. People have talked of jigging with a minnow and a spoon. Everything is shallow at around 15 feet the walleye, bass and pike.

Missouri- On the Missouri the catfish are being caught. It is high and dirty. Not many walleyes caught . Make sure you bring bug spray they are starting.

Hanson Dam- Try using a bobber with a worm. They have caught some rainbow trout in the 12 to 14-inch side. Some fly fishermen are catching some fish also.

Forchette- People are putting in at Crooked Creek and going to Forchette it is a long way, but it is worth it. People say fishing is pretty dang good heading toward Forchette still.”

We do have smelt, worms, meal worms, maggots and wax worms. We have live minnows.

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

Slim says, “The fishing has been awesome. The fishermen are using bottom bouncers and worm harnesses. Look for the walleye at depths of 4 to 18 feet depths. It doesn’t seem to matter any color is working. We are seeing walleye that are 20 to 22 inches and most are around 14 inches. You do not have to go far to get them. Many of the fishermen are running towards Forchette and the narrows right at the mudline but they don’t have to as close is working well also. The mudline clears up at 5miles or so. They are blading road for the first time. The water level is going up. The shore is starting to diminish. ”

When you come to Crooked Creek, I suggest you bring minnows if you have them. I do have some bait but not a lot, so I suggest people bring minnows.

The campground and marina are open 7am to 7 pm Wednesday to Monday. He will be closed on Tuesday. If you have questions call Slim at 406-366-6313 and leave a message.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

Sharon says,” fishing has been good all over. Not many places where you are not going to catch fish. You can’t find one place that is better than another. Some nice ones have been caught. The guys have been catching walleye, trout, perch and northern pike. The walleye fishing has been good. Many have been 14 to 18 and some even bigger.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Canyon Ferry Walleye Sunrise Tournament which is this week. June 22nd and 23. Call the bar at 266-5000 for further information.”

The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

The Flamingo is closed.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611

Jim reports,” there was a lot of rain and wind this week. It has been a long week. At Nelson they are catching northern pike, crappie and perch. Walleye have been 17 to 24 inches. Go to depths of 17 to 28 feet depths. Occasionally a large crappie has been caught. Many used slow death and worm harnesses. I talked to a few people who were cranking as well.

I have heard from people who went to Forchette and it was really good. The one guy I talked to was using worm harnesses. This week guys were catching mostly smaller ones. ”

Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels Jayce, Tanner, Matt

Bailey reports, “ Cooney -People are telling me that they are catching a few walleyes. It is not a strong bite, but it should be better in the morning and evening. .

Elmo- Lots of fishermen have been fishing Elmo and catching some nice small and large mouth bass. They say use topwaters and Wacky rigs.

Fort Peck – At Fort Peck people are telling me that they are getting a few walleye and some nice bass. People say they are mostly jigging. They say they feel the walleye bite is slower.

Stillwater- People are trying copper johns and olive streamers on the upper portion.“

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540

Rich says,” It has been very rainy and windy this week so that slowed down the fishing. The Jefferson is surprisingly has gone down. The Madison seems to be less muddy. I think the Gallatin is down about 18 inches. There is a lot of new snow in the mountains. Often daily, so when the runoff comes it is going to be big.

At Canyon Ferry guys are saying they caught walleye. Lots were in the 8 to 11 pounder size this week.”

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

Nicole states,” The Yellowstone is really high, moving very fast and off color. The fishing is just too dangerous. With the warmer weather it will have more runoff. Search out small tributaries and lakes away from the Yellowstone.

The Stillwater is fluctuating every day, so conditions are also changing. We suggest you search out water that is slower. Try fishing offshore with nymphs like Grinch or pheasant tail. Try a black bug like the girdle bugs. “

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

Beau reports,” fishing on the Missouri River this week was again good . The Canyon has cleared up. There are some PMD ‘s hatching. Dry flies are working okay. You can fish from the dam to Deerborn and have some luck nymphing. Try a sow bug there. The river is full of mud. Not seeing hatches. Nymphing is good using a brown drake. You can also use a San Quan worm. A sow bug is working also. After noon there is a gray brown hatch. It is pretty dam good then. “

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rick

“Rick says, “ The water CFS has jumped up to 1050 and the Army Corp says they are lowering it to 1000 tomorrow (Wednesday). . The water is still spilling over the dam. The water is clearer. We are catching fish that is for sure. Nymphing has been decent from the boat. Try a tan or gray Ray or a Zebra soft tackle. Orange and pink sows are also working. Shinners are showing up now. Zebra and San Quan worms are also working. The water temperature was 53 degrees and today it is 51 degrees.

We are using a pink and gray scuds that we tie at the shop. There is no hatch most days, so dries are not working. The upper three is fishing better than the lower nine. Many guys are doing double runs. On the lake they are getting carp and some small bass.

If you plan on wading to fish, I suggest you call to check to see how high the water is. If you come with a boat, you can pick places to wade so there is no problem there.

The reds are out and there are a lot of them. They are late this year. So, beware and stay off of their beds.“

Our hours are 8 am to 12 every day.

Madison River Outfitters- West Yellowstone – Tom Forsberg. Open 730am-9pm 406-646-9644.
Madison River , Hebgen and Yellowstone National Park waters
West Yellowstone Area Fishing Report

Tom reports,”

West Yellowstone Area Fishing Report 6/18/19

Montana

Upper Madison: Water levels are dropping each day as the flows coming out of the dam continue to be decreased. Once the lake is full, we should see flows come back up again. Fishing subsurface with nymphs and streamers remains the best way of catching fish for the time being, though with a nicer extended forecast in store we can hope for some bugs to get going here within the next week or two. Hopefully this time next week we’ll have a good idea of when salmonflies might get rolling! If you’re looking to fish dries, your best bet will be looking for baetis during cloudy days. Another option is to head down in the evening hours, when we have been seeing a good amount of caddis, albeit not very consistently.

Flies: #8-10 Sili-legs, #12-14 Biot Golden Stone, San Juan Worm, #14 Lake Prince, #14-16 Frenchie, #14-16 Red Neck, #16 Green/Black Lightning Bug, #16 Guide Dip/$3 Dip, #16-18 Soft Hackle Hares Ear, #16 Orange Mary, #16-18 DOA Baetis Cripple, #16-18 Baetis Cripple, #14-16 X-Caddis

Hebgen: Hebgen has still been a little inconsistent from day to day, but when it’s been good it’s been really good. Chironomid and callibaetis nymphs under an indicator has been the most effective method but stripping some leeches and buggers has provided some decent action also. There’s been a good amount of callibaetis that have been bringing some fish up, but it has still been a lot of “one-and-done” risers without tracking very well.

Flies: #12 Sno Cone, #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Parachute, #10 Simi Seal Leech, #8 Jig Bugger

Gallatin: The Gallatin below the Taylor Fork has cleared up to a nice green hue over the last few days. Nymphing a large rubber legs with a worm or smaller hot-spot trail fly and finding any soft spots along the banks or behind rocks will be your best bet. Salmonflies should be getting primed up and ready to go. Hopefully the water will clear to coincide with the arrival of big bugs. In the park stretch, attractor dries, and nymphs should be productive. As always for this time of year, make sure to bring your bear spray in this stretch.

Yellowstone National Park

Firehole/Madison: The cooler weather and cold overnight temps of late have helped to keep the Firehole running nice and cool. The soft hackle fishing continues to be fantastic and you could easily make a day of swinging them. Look for PMD’s and caddis to provide you with a chance to fish dries.

Flies: #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #16 PMD Hairwing Dun, #16 PMD Foam Emerger, #17 Green Iris Caddis, #16 Tan X-Caddis, #12 Partridge & Green, #12-14 Partridge & PT, #14 Tan/Olive Diving Caddis, #10 Simi Seal Leech

—