Autumn is almost over and that can bring unusual weather and sudden changes in weather temperatures, wind and water which means everyone needs to be vigilant when being outside. Outdoor enthusiasts, including fishermen need to pay attention to these changes. Surprise storms of 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 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
Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg
Raymond states,” there is 5 to 6 inches of ice from the dock site to the main water. I do see fellows out there in fishing shacks fishing. I have not talked or knocked on any shack door, so I do not know if they are catching. The temperature has been 28 degrees at night, and it is sunny and 34right now. We had a few people day camping and earlier when the ice was shallower, we had an ice skater which made me nervous. “
Reservation season has ended . It is first come first serve. The winter rates have started. The electrical has been turned off. Campers point 1 to 11 will still have electricity year around. The fish cleaning station is now closed. We only had one camper.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie, Greg
Wade said,” I have heard that there is 6 inches of ice. I know the kid who lives down the street has been going out often and he is getting crappies using blackies. I have minnows scheduled to arrive December 26th, 2020. We are scheduled to
open Sunday December 27th, 2020 weather permitting, and the ice stays safe.“
The Marina is officially closed for the season. We hope to be open for ice fishing.
Rock Creek Marina- Monty LeTexier , Wyatt /1-406-230-1283 for Linda & Neil Marina number is 1-406-485-2560
Linda said” we had a little bit of ice the last two days which was paper thin, but the wind blew that out. So there is no ice today. We have not seen anyone fishing or even here this week. ”
We have closed the marina for the season, but fishing can still happen if the wind quits blowing. We just won’t have any services. For reservations for the ice fishing season call Linda at 406-230-1283.
To make reservations for next year , please call Monty at 406-465-0241.
Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Layne-Kaylor 1-406- 557-2345
*Unable to contact someone.
Clint reports” we saw no fishermen this week. We had days of 50 mph winds so getting out to fish would have been tough. We have no ice at this time. The weather has been warm. The bass and northern pike can be caught. The docks have been pulled. The water is cold. Things are starting to wind down and we are waiting for ice. “
We have changed our hours at the marina. At this time we are taking time off in December so you may not find someone there. Normally we are open from 7 to 5 on weekdays and 7 to 6 on weekends.
Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt, Haley 1-406-526-3597
Carrie reports, “ the boys just headed to McGuiere Creek to fish. There is 4 inches there. We have no snow or ice here. We have geese and duck hunters here right now. People are fishing with minnows. I know our neighbor went fishing for lakers with his boat in depths of 50 feet and caught some nice lakers. Jigging worked for one fellow, but others got nothing trolling.
I still have sucker minnows. I have shiners and nightcrawlers. ”
We have stocked the tackle shop and you can find many things you need there. We have super Jumbo suckers, shiners, fatheads’ minnows, smelt and herring. We still have a few dates open for guiding.
Our hours are 7am-6 pm Monday through Sunday.
Fort Peck Marina Jessica & Scott Collinsworth 1-406-565-6283
Scott reports “ the weather has been really nice, this week but we definitely had an increase of fishermen. The ramps are ice and snow free.
walleye fishing- no reports for this week.
Northern Pike -fishing has continued to be good for Northerns. Fish have been getting caught in 10 to 20 feet of water trolling spoons and cranks.
Small mouth- No reports this week.
Lake trout- Lake trout fishing has been really good for the guys that have been out chasing them. The jig bite seemed to take back over this week with guys jigging in 25 to 55 feet of water. Sounds like guys were seeing plenty of fish but they were definitely a little lethargic , but guys figured out the right cadence to trigger the bite.
Salmon-over for the season.
Water temps have been between 42- 44 degrees. “
Stop in the tackle store for up-to-date info on fishing along with all the gear you will need to catch any species of fish in Fort Peck Lake. We are here to help put you guys on fish.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. Good luck on the water and be safe.
Crooked Creek Marina, Winnett, Montana
James(Slim), Carri Craig, Rick, Gary 406-429-2999
Slim says, “ we have 7 inches of ice out to Cowboy Point now. The days have been warm, and the nights have been really cold. We have caught northern pike. The walleye bite is slower but what we caught were 16-18-inch size. The ice is a lot firmer and it is clear ice. I have had a 4-wheeler on the ice at times. “
Our hours are 7 to 7 now 7 days a week. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone. Please just remember social distancing.
Hardware Hanks- Kolin Mahan/ David 654-1712
Open 7:30 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday/ 11am to 3 pm Sunday
Kolin reports, “ there is now 10 inches of ice on Nelson this week. People have put portable shacks on. Guys have been spearing for pike. Only an occasional walleye has been caught. The walleye bite with tip-ups is slow right now. It is good clear ice. “
Cooney Reservoir – Marina Matheson, Jake, Cynthia
Jake reports,” the ice is about 2 -5 inches depending on the area. People are fishing. The trout fishing is really good. No one has caught perch or walleye that I have heard. Guys are using a small jig with a worm or a crappie set up with corn or a worm to get them.“
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob says , “ we have solid ice on Elmo now. It is new ice as it only came on two days ago, so it is still thin. It has snow on it, so it is insulated at this point. At this point there is no place to fish yet. We have 16 mph winds today, so it is not pleasant out there right now. It is too thin for anyone to use. The lake is down 2 feet.”
The FWP office is open. We ask people to please use distancing as you recreate.”
Deadmans Tony and Pat Stefani
Pat explains,” we have a little ice in places which we got a couple of days ago. We did have a lot of wind this week . We saw no one out fishing. “
Cozy Corner bar Deadmans/Martinsdale Lavina 406-636-2261 Terry
Terry reports, “ the bar has been pretty quiet, so I have not heard much. I did talk to someone who went past Sutherland and Bair and he said there are ice shacks on the ice. So it must be enough.”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Rick reports, “ fishing is excellent on Bair. I was with someone who got their limit. I was not there as long so I did not get mine, but I caught fish. The Bair has 10 inches. It has a portable shacks on it now. I have not heard anything about Sutherland or Newland except someone said Sutherland has shacks 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 ,” you can ice fish pretty much everywhere around here.
East Fork- the east fork has 6 inches of ice now, so people are fishing.
Casino Creek – Casino Creek has 6 inches of ice. Fishermen are catching perch and suckers.
Carters Pond- Carters Pond has six inches of ice . guys are catching some nice rainbows.
Hanson Dam- At Hansom Dam guys are catching perch and rainbow trout under 6 inches of ice.
Nelson- I did hear people have been ice fishing on 8 inches of ice right now I hear. ”
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon says, “ We have 3 to 4 inches of ice off the main channel at this time. at this time. It is open water at white earth and goose bay. The guys are mostly catching trout and it has been good. People have been on Pond #4. A few perch have been caught. They are nice size. Use worms, bobbers, and floating jigs. I know that Lake Helena and Housier also have ice, I hear. “
Sharon says, I have polar picks for a very reasonable cost at the shop. If you do not feel you need them for you as an adult, please consider them for your children. They hang around your neck and if you should fall in it opens up and can help you pull yourself back up on the ice. Feel free to call for information or stop in at the shop. Call 266-3100. I am here all the time so I will give you any information I know. The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm. The Pelican is now closed for the season
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540 Rich
Rich says,” Canyon Ferry has ice I heard. People are ice fishing. The fellow I talked to said the ice is on the south end and is not far out.
The rivers have ice chunks floating in it.
We have decided to close the shop for the season from October 15th to April 1st, 2021. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill, Ken, Jasmine
Yellowstone does has chunks of ice.
Twin Bridges access is still closed.
We have closed our shop for the season until Spring. ”
Montana Adventures and Angling Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
The Big Horn has days of decent fishing. It is less off color and down some. Nymphs are not working but streamers are working. People are catching some nice fish.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rick/Hale/ Stephanie
Rick explained,” We have no wind today. They were catching some nice fish. Streamers are working. Try something in black and white or a leach pattern. No dries are working. Use a sink tip and go deep. The thin mint is the fly of choice right now. The CFS is down to 2100. The 2 inches of snow we have today with the warmer temperature probably will be gone by the end of the day. The browns are on the reds, so we ask you to stay off of them. The water is clear and there are lots of fries in the water . The water temperature is 48 degrees.
The river is open throughout and all fishing access’ sites on the big Horn are open. We would love to have you come to fish. “
Our lodge is open so you can stay with us. We would love to have you go fishing here and we are making sure to follow the procedures to keep people safe. Our shuttle service is available. Call and talk to the shop to get information you need.“
Open 8 am to 12 every day.
Madison River Outfitters- West Yellowstone – Tom Forsberg. Open 730am-9pm
406-646-9644.
This is our final report for the year. On October 23,2020. Nothing will change too much over the next few weeks as far as the fishing goes, so whether you like to nymph, swing, or throw streamers get out there and get after it and let us know what you are catching. We will try to send out reports when we can through the winter and let everyone know how the fishing is. Thanks for a great season and for reading along. Have a great winter and we will see you in the spring!
This is the last report -West Yellowstone Area Fishing Report 10/26/20
Montana
Upper Madison: Nymphing continues to be your best tactic for catching fish throughout the day. Rubber legs and a smaller attractor or baetes nymph will be successful and a zonker/sculpin dead-drifted under an indicator has had its moments this past week as well. We have been seeing some baetes coming off the past few days and should only see more this coming week with the forecast calling for rain and snow most days.
Flies: #16-18 Krystal Dip, #14-16 Green Machine, #14-18 Red Neck, #16 Olive Hot Spot Perdigon, #14 HoloPoint, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Olive S.H. Hare’s Ear, #16 Shop Vac, #12 Black Sili Legs, #18-20 D.O.A. Baetis, #18-20 Baetis Sparkle Dun
Yellowstone National Park
Fishing in Yellowstone is officially closed for the season. It usually opens Memorial Day weekend the next year.
