Fall is here. This year we are still having very unusual weather and that means sudden changes in weather and water. Outdoor enthusiasts including fishermen need to pay attention to these changes. Storms like snow and dangerous fire 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
Linda reports,” It has been colder than hell. The wind is blowing ferociously . It has been 35 to 40 mph. Last afternoon the wind chill was 6 to 9 degrees. Today it is a little calmer. We do have a little ice on the shoreline. We have not seen any guys fishing, you have to be real brave to want to be out in this.”
If you wish to make reservations for the 2020 summer, please call Monty at 406-465-0241. If you wish information for winter ice fishing call me, Linda, at the Marina at 1-406-485-2560. I check my messages fairly often and will return your call. You can also call me on my cell phone as well 406-230-1283 to get information. The marina is closed for the season. “
Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg
Raymond reports, ” We had people here this weekend and we had nice weather. The water temperature is now 43 degrees. We are pulling the regular docks this week. I talked to some fishermen. They had caught a bass and walleye. That was the first walleye I have seen caught in quite a while. They headed north to the cliff near the dam. We only got an inch or two of snow with this storm.
The power and water are turned off. That means the dump station and fish cleaning station are off . Camping spots 1 to 11 have power but no water through the winter months. Reservations are no longer needed for the campground and it is first come first serve. “
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
The marina is closed until ice fishing.
Someone said ,“It was decent weather this week before the storm. I heard of a few guys fishing but did not hear of any success. ”
Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Layne-Kayler 1-406- 557-2345
Clint reports, ” I have had a few guys going after pike pitching spoons in 8 to 10 feet depths. They were getting some decent pike. It has been cold as hell here with a wind. People have said the lake trout are down towards the dam. I heard they are finding an occasional walleye toward Hacksbee. “
Hell Creek Marina is open 7 days a week.
Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597
Jamie reports, “ we did not get any snow. It has been cold and windy beyond tolerance. The wind has been blowing beyond 40 mph. People left early in the week before the storm hit. No one wanted to head out with the wind. Before the wind the lake trout people were saying fishing was good. Guys were using spoons and going to shallow depths of 15 to 30 feet using a crank. The salmon were moving into the marina bay, but I think that stopped with the weather change. “
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
Open Monday to Friday 11am to 9am/ Saturday and Sunday 8 am breakfast and open to 10pm Tackle Store is open 7 am to 9pm daily
Scott reports “ salmon snagging- snagging has been hit and miss again. Some guys that have been cruising the shorelines. They have been getting some, but normal areas have been sporadic.
Lake trout- Fishing was getting better until the water temps dropped and the wind picked up. . Fish are being caught in 10 to 35 feet of water. Guys are still trolling spoons and cranks.
Pike- The weed edge at the back of the bay are still producing some really good pike.
Walleye- Not many people are trying for them. Most guys are chasing lakers.
For a current fishing report give us a call at the marina 1-406-526-3442. “
The bait and tackle store are 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
A source reports ,” fishing has been okay from shore. Try a worm or a marshmallow. You can catch trout. The walleye bite seems slow. Before the weather there were lots some boats out there. They were using a jig. They were liking something with green and a white belly.”
The water has been turned off now. The electricity is also off except at Marshall Cove and Red Lodge campgrounds. The docks are pulled. Soon we will be working on dock repairs after the pre-winter maintenance is done. You no longer need reservations, so the camp sites are first come first serve. The kiosk has the reduced rate for camping listed. Remember, your dogs are welcome but don’t forget your leash.
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob reports, “ we have had a lot of wind. I have not even seen any walkers it just is too cold with the wind. We had some huge groups of migrating birds. The snow has gotten the migration going. This morning we had a skim of ice on the water. The only things fishing are the mergansers. The gulls are out in full force. ”
Deadmans Tony Stefani/ Pat
Pat says, “ We had campers, but they were hunters. I was told someone caught one fish from shore.”
I did speak to someone else who said they had a couple of guys who fished Deadmans and caught a few nice fish this week.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner bar Lavina 406-636-2261
Staff reports, “We were told that someone caught a fish at Deadmans and a Martinsdale before the storm. “
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Rick reports,” we were told with the cold weather Bair Lake was froze over. Of course it was only a thin layer and it probably will leave with the warmer weather later in the week. It was 13 below this morning. It is 16.9 degrees now. We only got a couple of inches of snow. We have seen lots of hunters.”
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
John reports , “ It has been pretty dam cold here this week. About the only place to fish is Spring Creek. I am hearing Achley is not fishing at well.
Missouri- On the Missouri there are fish, but the clarity of the water is marginalized. The wind is really blowing so that is not going to make it any easier. The snow is 6 inches in town but out of town it depends on the wind. ”
Crooked Creek Marina Winnett, Montana James (Slim) and Abbie Craig, Carri Craig 406-429-2999
The marina is open and in full swing now. We are open 7 am to 7 pm every day.
Slim says, “ We have had a lot of wind and cold. The weather has been pretty nasty. We have had guys going out in a boat to fish. They can’t get a good presentation because of the wind. They headed to Squaw Creek. They are using a minnow and a jig the wind has been blowing 40 mph. They caught a few walleye. We have no snow. The road is not bad. ”
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon reports, “we have had a lot of wind and cold. The weather has been pretty nasty. They were catching trout before the storm. No one was heading out. We have no ice. The temperature is 32 degrees and only the brave fools would go out and I have not met any. The docks have been pulled. ”
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
The Flamingo is closed.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Dan reports, “ I have no reports from Forchette this week.
Guys are catching walleye and northern pike at Nelson before the wind started blowing. We have had 4 solid days of wind. We have even had a skiff of ice in places. They were jigging with a minnow or a jig rap going to 20 feet depths. ”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Billings-Scheels Jayce, Tanner, Matt
Jayce reports, “The weather has been awful. I came back from home from hunting because the snow and the wind was miserable.
Yellowstone- On the Yellowstone they were catching walleye and sauger going east towards Custer and Hysham. They were using a jig or a jig wrap.
Fort Peck- I hear they are snagging salmon at Fort Peck mostly in the bay or at the dam.
Big Horn-I heard fishing is just okay on the Big Horn. Guys say a scud, or a sow-bug is working nymphing. “
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Fishing has been possible because of the weather. Wind has been terrible.
A few fishermen have tried fishing for ling and have a little luck for ling.
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill, Ken, Jasmine
Jim says, “the weather has been tough for fishermen. The wind has made it rough to do a presentation. Not a lot of people out there. Try different types of nymphs. It varies a lot. People were seeing blue wing olives when the weather was warmer. Just try a variation as things change often. “
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says, “ I have been fishing the Missouri this week. Fishing has been poor in the morning. It picks up and is good at noon and after. We saw a good baetes hatch or BWO. It is a pseudo hatch. It starts with a dry and nymphing is working. We were catching rainbows and brown trout. It was really windy at times. “
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rick/Stephanie/
Rick says, “ we had eight boats go out today. We have blue skies today. The river is at 3,000 CFS and 99 % of full. Fishing is slow. The water is definitely off color. We are seeing more action on streamers. The ramp project repair has been put on hold. They had some major problems, so it was stopped. You can still use the ramp itself. Try a JJ special or a thin mint. Try nymphing. Use a soft gray Ray or an orange scud. Try a San Quan worm or a two-toned red wine-colored fly. A black pheasant also works. Dries are just not working. ”
Our hours are 8 am to 12 every day.
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