Central to Eastern MT Fishing Report 5.27.20
By angelamontana

Posted: May 28, 2020
REPORT COMPILED BY Carol Henckel

Spring is still here. The unusual weather and sudden changes in weather temperatures, ice conditions, wind and water mean everyone needs to be vigilant when being outside. 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.

Rock Creek Marina- Monty LeTexier , Wyatt /1-406-230-1283 for Linda & Neil Marina number is 1-406-485-2560

Linda reports, “ Fishing was slow this past week. People described it as hit and miss. We had rain at night over the weekend. The water is clear right now. Someone caught a big fish that FWP came and looked at and called it a large mouth carp. It was huge. It was just shy of a state record and weighed a little over 43 pounds. I heard some people were bottom bouncing with worms and leaches or jigging with minnows. Stop in the Marina and we will give you what fishing tips we have heard. All our services are fully functioning. The electricity and water are on. “

Monty explains, ”We are limiting the number of people into the Marina for the 6-foot social distance mandate and hope everyone will use common sense while recreating. We want you to be able to relax and fish.

To make reservations for the 2020 summer, please call Monty at 406-465-0241.

Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg

Raymond reports,” We were busy and pretty full this Memorial Day weekend. We got a little bit of rain, so it was not bad weather like some places. We are starting to see more people who caught fish. We were seeing more bass than anything else. They were catching a few walleyes, and northern pike. I heard of a few cats and people said the crappies were not eating yet so only a couple were caught. The water temperature was 59 degrees today. The water is rising and almost at the spillway. It came up 6 inches overnight. The fish cleaning station is up and running. The restrooms are open, the docks are in and the water is on. Please follow the distancing directions given by the Governor. ”

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

Fletcher explained, “ Our week was busy with lots of people. People are saying leeches and minnows are working. Lots of them are coming in to resupply their bait. There were lots of bass being caught right now. Saturday, someone caught a large 10-pound catfish. We had many shore fishermen here as well.

Our hours are Monday to Thursday 8-5, Friday Saturday 6 to 9 and Sunday 7 to 5. ”

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

Clint reports, ” We did not have as many people here for Memorial Day but overall they had a good time. Guys were catching walleye heading to the J marker towards Timber Creek. Between Snow Creek and Timber Creek if they found fish, they were getting their limits. People were catching bass every day. The northern pike are being found in the bay. Some people headed to Duck Creek and Sutherlan and there they were catching pretty much anything at 12 to 16 feet. All the fish seemed to be at the same depth

We just ask that you follow the Governor’s orders on distancing. Come on up and fish.”

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

Eddie reports, “ the bite was slower this week. Mostly because the weather was rainy and windy. Friday was real good fishing. People were having good results for northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, and lake trout. Saturday and Sunday had some weather, so it was slow. Monday the lake trout bite was good. They were being found at depths of 10 feet using a jig. Not many walleye caught. The water is coming up and it is 52 to 53 degrees. For northern pike guys were pitching jigs. That bite was a mix, some people were finding them in the shallows using spoons and cranks. I went out and we used down riggers and finding lake trout at 60 to 80 feet depths.

We do have Jumbo sucker, shiners, fatheads’ minnows, smelt and herring We also have RV spaces available. ”

Our hours are 7am-6 pm Monday through Sunday.

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

Scott reports “ the bar and restaurant hours are as follows: open 7 days a week. Monday to Thursday 11am to 9 pm, Friday 11am to 10 pm. Saturday and Sunday 8am to 10 pm.

Please be aware we are practicing social distancing. That means only 6 people at a table and your table must be 6 feet from another table. There is no standing or sitting at the bar.

The tackle store is open 7 days a week as well. Monday through Thursday 7 to 9, Friday through Sunday 6 to 10.

Walleye fishing- Fishing has been great this week. Our best bite has been between 2 ft and 15 feet of water. We have been doing best on jigs and minnows or swim baits, but I’ve been hearing good reports with guys catching fish on crawlers. The fish seem to be holding on main lake points and secondary points as of now.

Northern Pike – fishing has been really heating up this week with the warmer temps they are back of the bays along weed edges and rocky points with guys pitching jigs, cranks and spoons up shallow for best result.

Lake trout- Fishing has been steady with guys finding fish up shallow to really deep. Some great fish have been coming out of 25 to 50 feet of water trolling cranks and flashers and apex spoons or flies behind down riggers. Some guys are still getting decent limits of fish in 80-100 feet of water with guys trolling spoons and cranks behind flashers. Gold, silver, brown and blue have been the best colors.

Have a great week everyone. I hope to see you at the lake. “

Cooney Reservoir – Marina Matheson, Jake, Cynthia

Jake reports, ” This week the water has stayed clear, with a little off colored water around the inlets. Surface water temperatures dropped this week to 50 degrees around the inlets in the morning to 54 on the north shore. With the bad weather we didn’t see a lot of people recreating. The boats that did make it out did well trolling cowbell’s for trout. A group did good from shore catching perch and a Ling using worms and leaches. Walleye seem to be moving to deeper water to target leaches and worms. People are still able to pick up a couple with Rapalas. The best reports I heard were parties that were trolling worm harnesses.

Cynthia reports,” we had a lot of rain all weekend. We did see a fair number on Memorial Day for day use. Marshal Cove is flooding beyond the two campgrounds from last week. The upper loop is all that is open there. The water is now over the spillway. We did see people fishing in the rain. Mud on the road was definitely an issue in places. “

We are asking people to follow pack in, pack out garbage. We have less garbage receptacles.”

Remember your dogs are welcome but, do not forget your leash.

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson

Bob says,” We had a lot of people here at Elmo this week. People are catching fish. There are lots of eagles flying for bird watchers. The river is up. It is really up. They are out in boats and on the pier as well. People are catching fish by using bait on the bottom. The lake is full. Our office remains closed.

At Voyagers Rest access by Worden there is some flooding from the weather and high water, so it is now walk in only.

DES wants to remind people that no matter what you are coming to do in Montana from another state, whether it to be to shop, to fish, visit or picnic you must quarantine for 14 days as has been directed. They also hope you will remember to continue to follow the distancing guidelines whether you are at Elmo or anywhere else .”

Deadmans Tony and Pat Stefani

Pat reports,” the water has come up. We had people off and on because of the rain. Half of the campground was full. They were catching trout. They say the fish were not bad size. We ask that you are respectful of the rules the Governor has laid out.

Broadview pond was being well used again this week. The fishing appears to be good. ”

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

Terry reports, “ I talked to a guy who went to Bair and fished on Friday and did well. He took his family on Saturday and everybody got their limit. So he got his limit both days.

The fishing at Broadview Pond must be good there are lots of cars there every day. So fishing must be good. ”

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

Rick reports, “ Bair was okay fishing this week people said. It was not a runaway. Also heard Sutherlan was okay fishing as well. Both Bair and Sutherlan are going over the spillway. ”

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 , “ Spring Creek remained clear this week. People were doing well with flies and also with spinners and bait.

Achley- Achley was slow for tiger muskies this week. Some guys are still catching a few.

Missouri- The paddlefish are still running on the Missouri. Guys are also catching cats as the bite has picked up.

Musselshell – is running off color right now. “

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

Carri says,” We had a busy week. Fishing was good. It was great out on the water. The shore fishing was slow this week. I don’t know why the northern pike aren’t biting off shore. Some have spawned and some have not. On Saturday it was really cold. The guys have done well on the lake. The crappies are just starting. The walleye they were catching were eater size. People were using bottom bouncers or pulling jigs in the 10 to 17 feet depths. The bite is not hot, hot right now. The water has cleared right at Lost Creek.

Our hours are 7 to 7 now 7 days a week. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone. Please just remember social distancing. “

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

Sharon reports,” trout fishing has still been good heading north. The fishing for walleye has slowed a little. It was spotty fishing going to Confederate. The water is still coming up and the temperature is 58 degrees. Stop in at the shop and I will give you any information you need.

The BOR campground is open. Please remember when at the campground to distance as you camp. ”

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

The Flamingo is now open. Come and enjoy the new food menu and some of the old favorites.

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540 Rich

Rich says, “ Come on over to the shop I am open. I ask, because of the virus that you come in with a mask.

I did not hear of people heading to Canyon Ferry. I know some fisherman headed to Fort Peck, but I did not hear how they did.

The rivers are high and really muddy. The Jefferson really dropped, at least a foot and it is really muddy. ”

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

Chris says, “the shop will be open May 27th with the Governor’s order. We will offer curb side pickup if you need it. The Stillwater and Yellowstone are both still really blown out. They are really high as well. If you decide to try fishing offshore, I would try dark flies. Try a rubber leg or San Quan worm. Use nymphs if you fish the edges. We are taking appointments for guiding now. “

Montana Adventures and Angling Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612

Beau reports,” the fishing on the Missouri has been a decent bite. The Missouri run off is starting. It is off color down to Deerborn. BWD are out in the afternoon but it is started to transition to summer bugs. You can still come on some baetes. Last week I was nymphing with a pheasant tail , sow bugs and San Juan worms. “

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rick/Hale/Stephanie

Rick explains,” We saw mostly locals this Memorial Day weekend. The lake is still shut down. The After Bay is open and all access points are open. We will have our official opening on June 15th for out of state visitors. We want to have everything ready to comply with the rules and work with the reservation decisions. Check with the shops down here. Call and talk to the shops to get the information.

The fishing is getting better and better. The CFS is 1900 as of today (Tuesday). It is great wade fishing right now. The dry fly fishing has been getting better and better. All camping has opened up. The cloudy days bring out a good baetes and midge hatch in the afternoon. We are suggesting fishermen try the zebra, a BP3, or a Ju Ju baetes. You can also use a soft gray Ray in #18 or a pink bead soft tackle pattern. Go deep with a streamer as some people have had luck that way. Use a sink tip, a thin mint, a dirty hippie, or a wooly bugger.

Our lodge is open so you can stay with us. We are doing the safeguards that we are being asked to do. Come and go fishing. Our shuttle service is available. We are not allowed to shuttle out of state visitors. The Crow tribe continues to have things locked down until May 15th. They are turning around non-resident visitors. They continue to have checkpoints.

Fishing has been really good. People are catching some real nice rainbows and browns.

Open 8 am to 12 every day.

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