Posts by Kjel:
- Find Public Lands
- Discover New Access
- Know Private Land Ownership
- Locate yourself on Paper Maps easily
- See Game Management Units
- Access Forest Service Roads and Trails
- Map your best route with 24K Topo
- National Forest Wilderness Area Boundaries
- Geographic Names (cities, creeks, man-made features, etc)
- Water Data (creeks, rivers, lakes)
- Old and New National Forest Roads & Trails
- National Forest Trailheads
- Campgrounds
- Boat Ramps and Fishing Access
- Nature Conservancy
- BLM – Bureau of Land Management
- State Land Trusts
- County Land
Ice Fish Baby!! Funny Ice Fishing Video
December 1st, 2012With little ice on Montana waters so far this season. There is no doubt that ice fishing season will arrive soon. As you get your gear together check out this funny ice fishing video to a remake of Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” song.
Archery and Upland Kick Off: Captain’s Column
August 30th, 2012The final holiday weekend of the summer is coming up. If you are an outdoor person who likes to hunt and fish then you won’t have any problem finding something to enjoy. Hunters are looking forward to the General Archery Season that opens Saturday. Also on tap for hunters this Saturday marks the opening of upland bird and fall turkey seasons in Montana. The temperatures forecast for the weekend are normal for this time of the year, but the lack of rain we have received this month has left the countryside very dry.
So while some folks turn to hunting others will have good fishing opportunities to take advantage of on the rivers and the lakes. Lake trout fishing has started to pick up recently on Flathead Lake. The Great Montana Mack Attack/Whitefish Jigfest was held last weekend on Flathead Lake and it was a success according to Gen Fincher. “We had 138 anglers entered and the fishing was pretty good despite the choppy water conditions that anglers faced early in morning on Saturday and Sunday,” said Fincher. The largest lake trout was turned in by Ron Catlett of Kalispell, the fish that was worth $1000 weighed 19.43 pounds and was 38 ¼ inches long. Randy Gembala caught the heaviest lake trout under 28 inches it weighed 7.91 pounds and Hunter Roderick caught the largest pike minnow it weighed .72 pounds. Fincher said that most of the successful anglers were trolling for the lake trout. Maybe the biggest story during the two-day event came out of the whitefish category. “We had close to 40 whitefish turned in both days with all the winning fish entered on Saturday”, said Fincher. Most of the anglers turning in whitefish were fishing in 60 feet of water and most of the activity was on the river delta on the north end of the lake. Marlene Tucker caught the largest whitefish it was 23 inches long and weighed 3.83 pounds. So yes there are anglers catching whitefish but not in huge numbers.
Smallmouth bass fishing continues to be good on the lower Flathead River with the northern pike fishing reported as fair. Seeley Lake is seeing some good early morning and evening northern pike fishing. Trolling swim baits and rapalas seem to be working the best. There also have been some reports out of Lake Mary Ronan that angler are doing good on kokanee and perch. Georgetown Lake has been producing smaller fish. “We were using the grasshopper pattern when we fished Georgetown the other day but the fish were small”, added outfitter John Perry of JohnPerryFlyfishing.com, “the flying ants are now appearing on the lake and that usually means the bigger fish will start to get active again”. If it is windy on Georgetown try to find a calm bay out of the bay. The Blackfoot River has been inconsistent, but with the smoke haze blocking out the sun the fishing on the upper Bitterroot River has been good for smaller fish according to Perry.
FWP Commission to Meet August 30th to Adopt Upcoming Waterfowl Regulations
August 29th, 2012Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Aug. 30 in Helena to adopt the upcoming season’s waterfowl hunting regulations and to consider proceeding with a process to develop a draft statewide fisheries management plan.
The meeting, set to begin at 8:30 a.m., will be held at FWP’s Helena headquarters, 1420 E. Sixth Ave.
Commissioners also will take final action on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe’s upland game bird and waterfowl regulation for 2012, Future Fisheries project funding, rules for the selling of left-over nonresident deer licenses, and awarding certain conservation groups the opportunity to auction a bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose, or mountain goat hunting license.
On land matters, commissioners will be asked to approve the acquisition if a Sixteen Mile Creek Fishing Access Site near Ringling, an easement on the Amelia Island FAS near Hysham, and a timber management proposal for the Kootenai-West Wildlife Management Area north of Rexford. FWP will also seek commission endorsements of a donation to improve road access to Island Lake FAS near Libby, a property donation near Big Sandy, and new public use rules for Montana’s 77 wildlife management areas.
Updates will be presented to the commission on Montana’s drought status, recommendations from the Brucellosis-Elk Working Group, and a recent wolf/human dimension survey.
With Fall Approaching There Is Still Good Fishing: Eastern Montana Fishing Report
August 29th, 2012Please be advised that the extremely hot weather has been making precarious high wind conditions as well as potential for heat stroke. Please use caution while on the waters . Call the contact person in the area you are planning on fishing for current daily information. Also use extreme caution on the water at all times. Good Luck Fishing from the Montana Outdoor Radio Crew.
***Bill -Rock Creek Marina 1-406-485-2560
“When fishing you need to go deeper. People are using crankbaits. They are limiting out on northern and walleye if they know where the holes are. Those guys seem to go out every time and come back with lots of fish. When they bite, they really bite. The water temperature is 74 degrees,” Linda explains.
***Grant-Crooked Creek Marina 1-406-429-2999
Crooked Creek Fort Peck Reservoir
“Guys are coming in saying they are seeing lots of fish in shallow water. They are seeing lots of catfish, perch. They are literally seeing the fish up close to the surface in the salt cedar for the last 3 days. Walleye have been 2 to 5 pounds. The walleye bite is again slower this week,” Dennis says. Bait colors have been chartreuse and pink. People are using leeches and some guys are using minnows even artificial minnows.
***Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Lane said, “ Walleye are pretty slow. The water temp is up. They are catching northern pike with crankbaits east of Hell Creek, ”Lane explained. Some are catching a few bass.” Best fishing is early in the cooler part of the day, Lane explains..
***Gene Moore Lake ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Fort Peck Reservoir Dam/Bear Creek/Pines/
Gene says, “ The salmon are still being caught at the dam. Lake trout are being caught and of course morning and evening are best for fishing. The walleye are being caught at Grave Point, Bell Point and the pines. The spillway is scheduled to be turned on September 4th. Guys are using flutterspoons and flasher squids.”
***West Side Sports – Dan 1-406-654-1611
Nelson, Forchette
Dan at West Side Sports tells us,” At Nelson lots of guys are finding fishing good. Bottom bouncers and worms are working. “If you wade through the little fish you do get some nice ones”, Dan says. Crankbaits are doing well on northern pikes. They seem to bite on anything. Walleyes are 14 to 18 inches.
Forchett has slowed down. They are using bottom bouncers on walleyes and cranks on pike. “If you can figure out a way to beat the heat then you get something,” Dan explains.
***Deadmans and Martinsdale
All fishing is definitely slower this week. Martinsdale’s worm fishing is okay from shore. Boat fishing is still off and on because of high heat .
Deadmans trout fishing is also slow.
***Matt Stephens- Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225
Tongue River Reservoir
Colton says, ” Fishing is still good. The water is definitely dropping but not a lot. The reservoir is stilling being let out,” he says. Walleyes average size has been 8 to 10 pounds. The are using cranks for the fish at 15 to 30 feet. They are also pitching cranks for smallmouths and using less jiging.
*** Silos Marina Sharon 266-3100
Canyon Ferry
Fishing was again good this week. “ Hole in the wall seems to be where they are catching them. They are being found at 6 to 20 feet depth ,” Sharon says, “ They are still catching northern pike. Trout are again fishing well. Of course early in the day and late in the day when it is cooler are best.”
*** Minnow bucket Allen Camarillo 348-2440
“The river water is dropping. It is clear at this time.“ Smallmouth, walleye and sauger are the better catch. Crankbaits are the primary bait. Catfish are the main fish being caught on the river ”, Allen says. Low flows are definitely happening so early morning and late into the night is best for catching. Allen says he is getting more nice minnows in this week.
***Lake Elmo Billings
Fishing continues to be good but not in the warmest part of the day. Trout are being caught but mostly in the morning and evening.
***Don’s Charlie 1-800-879-8194
– Lewistown East Fork Reservoir
Charlie says, “ Spring Creek is fishing good using hoppers or LBF nymphs. The gold and silver panther martins also work. Ackley fishermen are using small blades, girdle bugs or woolly buggers. Bottom walkers, sinkes and floating jig heads are working. The walleye are in 16feet deep water. by trolling with girdle bugs and wooly buggers.” “ They are catching northern, bass and crappies at 6 to 10 feet”, he said.
Missoula Area Fly Fishing is Improving with Cooler Weather
August 29th, 2012The Blackfoot is really fishing well now with the cooler evening temps. Spruce moths continue to be the fly of choice! Attractors and hoppers still have the fish looking up but don’t be afraid to nymph the deeper holes during the heat of the day. September promises to be a fantastic fishing month on the Blackfoot!
The Root has picked back up as evening temps have cooled the river off. Tricos and mayfly patterns control the morning with some hoppers and attractors working during the day. The root will continue to improve greatly as we reach into September.
Clark Fork:
The Clark Fork continues to fish well. Dead drifting rubber legs and wooly buggers will produce fish. Hoppers and attractors continue to get fish looking up as well. Look for groups of fish rising and work them with tricos, or even a royal wulff. Fishing just before dark promises to show many fish looking to the surface.
Rock Creek Mercantile Reports the following. “Despite the smoke and haze, fishing the past few days has been surprisingly good. We finally have a break in the hot weather, and that should leave the water temperature in much better shape in the afternoons. Red and yellow humpies have been the most consistent pattern over the past couple weeks, but you can also do very well on rubber-legged grasshoppers, yellow stimulator, purple hazes, spruce moths, as well as the traditional caddis and PMDs. And of course, you can trail several small nymphs behind many of these flies. Try small copper Johns or lightning bugs.
Hunting GPS’s Map’s Revolutionizes the Hunting Experience
August 28th, 2012Hunting GPS’s maps continues to take steps forward in the world of hunting and technology. Last week founder Eric Seigfied and his crew took another step forward by revolutionizing their mapping software yet again. Never before has it been so easy to know and understand property ownership while out in the field. HuntingGPSmaps’s (located in Missoula) is a product every sportsman deserves to own. Thinking back to the amount of money a hunter spends on camouflage, guns, bows, decoys, blinds, and packs now seems silly if they don’t own a Garmin GPS equipped with the ownership mapping software. If you don’t own the software now is the time. Below is some more information on the software as well as the new video that shows exactly what it means to take the next step forward in the world of hunting and being a true outdoorsman.
What is it?
Ever wonder who owns what land or where exactly you are on your paper map? You don’t have to wonder anymore thanks to HuntingGPSmap’s statewide land ownership maps for Garmin GPS units. These maps tell you where public and private land property boundaries are, as well as who owns each piece of property! Simply pick your state, plug the chip into your GPS, and go!
Adding a Hunting GPS maps microSD chip to your GPS will revolutionize how you use your GPS. With the HUNT line of GPS map products you can easily determine your position in relation to public and private property boundaries, find public land boundaries, determine landowner names and ranch boundaries, query which Hunt Area or Section number you are in, and More! These functions and features can easily be understood in the their new videos and tutorials
Just a Few of the Advantages To the Software
Where to get more information and or buy the product?
For more information or to purchase the software and enhance your next hunting experience visit Hunting GPS Software by clicking here.
Or check them out on facebook by clicking here.
Cooler Nights Equals Better Fly Fishing: Bozeman Area Fishing Report
August 28th, 2012Madison River: Fishing on the Madison has continued to improved in the past week. With cooler nights and the shorter days the fishing is getting better and better. Hopper fishing along the entire Madison continues to catch fish but reports are coming in saying nymphs and streamers are fishing more consistently!
Yellowstone: Fishing on the Yellowstone has picked back up in the last week after we saw a strong drop off last week. Hoppers/attractors with a dropper will still produce fish but expect to work a little harder. Your best bet will be dead drifting a bugger or a rubber leg with a dropper. With cooler nights and shorter days the Yellowstone should really start to take off as we get into September!
Gallatin River: The Gallatin continues to fly fish well. Especially with hoppers, spruce moths, and even some caddis. The evening fishing has been good with purple haze, royal wolfs, caddis, and spruce mouths. With shorter days the fishing on the Gallatin should only get better and better as we reach September.
Written By: Kjel Olson, MORS Crew
Approaching Deadline for Black Bear, Wolf, and Mountain Lion Hunting Licenses
August 27th, 2012The deadline for, black bear, wolf and mountain lion hunting licenses are available through August 31st. After that date there is a five-day wait until you can use the license. The licenses can be purchased at a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office, FWP license provider or online at fwp.mt.gov.
Aug. 31 is also the deadline to apply for the special limited-entry mountain lion permit drawing.
FWP urges hunters to obtain and the 2012 hunting regulations, available via the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov, from FWP license providers and at FWP offices.
Good Rainbow Fishing on Holter: Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report
August 27th, 2012Canyon Ferry: Rainbow fishing has slowed a bit throughout the reservoir. Mid reservoir has been best while trolling cranks (silver, red and perch colored) or spoons (copper or brass) in 10 to 40 feet of water. Walleye fishing continues to be best early in the morning and late in the evening. Mid reservoir, especially between Goose Bay, Duck Creek and Round Top remains consistent for walleye trolling worm harnesses in 15 to 40 feet of water. However, the south end of the reservoir continues to be the story of the summer by consistently producing walleye in 6 to 12 feet of water while trolling worm harnesses (copper, pink and green blades) tipped with worms or leeches. Vertical jigging (black, brown, yellow and orange) for walleye on bay points has been effective between Confederate and the dam. Quite a few yellow perch are being caught throughout the reservoir. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Rainbow action is fair with a few being caught while trolling cowbells in deep water around Black Sandy, Lakeside or in the Riverside area. Rainbows are being caught at Riverside from shore on jigs and worms. Some walleye are being caught in the Causeway while using jigs tipped with worms or leeches. Both trolling and shore fishing have had good results with a few perch being caught as well. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Holter: Rainbow fishing continues to be good while trolling cowbells or rapalas at 15 to 25 feet deep in the mornings around Holter Dam. Shore fishing for rainbows is slow. Walleye fishing is still a bit slow, but using jigs tipped with a worm or leech at 12 to 15 feet deep in lower reservoir bays and around Holter Dam is producing some fish. Perch are being caught while searching for walleye. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Whitefish Bite? Captain’s Column
August 23rd, 2012I don’t want to get anybodies hope up about the possibility of catching whitefish on Flathead Lake but I did receive this encouraging e-mail last weekend from Jim Vashro the Region 1 fish biologist for FWP and Flathead Lake. “The mystery continues, I keep getting tantalizing reports. Chancy at Snappys says one angler caught 40 in front of the hatchery, another angler caught 15 at the delta. Sportsman Ski Haus says they are hearing of some at Woods Bay and at Big Arm Bay. It appears the whitefish are a little deeper than normal (50’-60’) and the perch are smaller than normal. That would fit with our thoughts on delayed growth”. This e-mail comes at an opportune time because the Whitefish Jig Fest is going to be held in conjunction with the Great Montana Mack Attack this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. More anglers than normal will be fishing Flathead Lake for whitefish. The tournament is going to be based out of Somers and the Vista Linda Restaurant. The largest lake trout by weight caught over 36 inches in length will win $1000 cash. There are lots of other categories to win cash and prizes which include catching one of the five largest lake trout by weight 28 inches or less. “We are also paying the top five whitefish that are brought in too”! said Gene Fincher, the tournament organizer It’s the first time the Great Montana Mack Attack has been combined with the Whitefish Jig Fest. “The response that I have received has been great so it should be a lot fun,” said Fincher. The lake trout fishing has been hit and miss lately. Many of the anglers will be trolling the north end of the lake by the river delta. The hot weather has pushed the fish a little deeper.
Here is what Bob Orsua had to say in his latest fishing report from Mo Fisch Charters, “Summer fishing on Flathead Lake remains steady. Fishing the north end of the center bar is a good area for smaller good eating lakers. Also the 300’ of water down the east side of the center bar is holding fish feeding on the shrimp”.
Last year during the Great Montana Mack Attack I had luck fishing over by Lakeside in 80-110 feet of water with Zimmer’s dead-bait pike minnow set-up. We caught 8 lake trout the first day with four in the slot and four at 28 inches, but that was last year and it was also during the beginning of August. “Remember when we measure the fish at the headquarters we pinch the tail”, added Fincher, “anglers need to be reminded about how to measure the fish so they are not disappointed when they come to weigh”. The year-round slot on Flathead Lake is 30-36 inches for lake trout, if you catch one in the slot you need to release it. “One more reminder if they catch a lake trout over 36 inches they need to call 406-261-6445 to register it before they bring it in,” said Fincher. Tickets are available through Fincher by calling 406-261-6445.
Some Great Fishing Opportunities in the Eastern Montana Fishing Report
August 22nd, 2012Please be advised that the extremely hot weather has been making precarious high wind conditions as well as potential for heat stroke. Please use caution while on the waters . Call the contact person in the area you are planning on fishing for current daily information. Also use extreme caution on the water at all times. Good Luck Fishing from the Montana Outdoor Radio Crew and enjoy the fishing report.
***Bill -Rock Creek Marina 1-406-485-2560
”We caught 40 fish, 26 Northerns, 9 bass and 5 walleye. Fishing is really awesome right now. I went out today and had the best fishing of the season. Sometimes we had 3 on at the same time. We were using crankbaits. They seem to be working on all fish right now. The water temperature is 73 degrees and hasn’t slowed the fish down , Bill explains. Walleye are being caught shallow in 8 to 15 feet of water. The tournament brought in a 39 inch big northern, a 4 ½ # bass and a 3 # walleye.
***Grant-Crooked Creek Marina 1-406-429-2999
Crooked Creek Fort Peck Reservoir
“Northerns are pretty steady fishing. Small mouth and catfish are good. Walleye bite is slower this week,” Grant says. Due to water temp and conditions bait colors change a lot. Shore line is tough because water temp is still too warm.
***Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
“ Walleye have slowed some. It is day by day for them. We went out 2 days and did good and then the next 2 days got few. That’s in 18 to 30 feet mostly with crawlers, ”Clint explained. Northern Pike and small mouth are going good west of Hell Creek from Snow Creek to Bone Trail.
***Gene Moore Lake ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Fort Peck Reservoir Dam/Bear Creek/Pines/
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says, “ They are still catching salmon off the dam. It is spotty and you have to put your time in. They are a really nice silver color. The lake trout are fishing well in 100 to 120 ft depths. The walleye are good at Grave Point, Bell Point and the pines in 25 to 30 feet depths. Northern pike are biting like crazy in 15 to 25 feet. “
***West Side Sports – Dan 1-406-654-1611
Nelson, Forchette
Dan at West Side Sports tells us,.” Nelson is fairly good. They are using bottom bouncers and worms on perch and walleye. Crankbaits are doing well on northern pikes. Water temps are warm. Forchett has slowed down. They are using bottom bouncers on walleyes and cranks on pike.“
***Deadmans and Martinsdale
Martinsdale and Deadmans
Martinsdale’s worm fishing is good from shore. Boat fishing is still inconsistent using hardware.
Deadmans trout fishing is just okay.
***Matt Stephens- Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225
Tongue River Reservoir
Colton says, ”Fishing is still good. They are trolling for walleye, northern pike and small mouth bass. We are seeing more crappie and smallmouth coming in. I have only heard of a few large mouth being caught.” They are catching catfish as well.
*** Silos Marina Sharon 266-3100
Canyon Ferry
Fishing has been good this week. The wind has been blowing some. “The walleye are moving toward Hole in the wall. They are being found 6 to 20 feet deep ,” Sharon says. “ We had a 5year old that caught a 10 pound walleye down south. I also saw a 34 inch walleye as well, “ Sharon explains. They are still catching northern pike. Trout are fishing well also.
*** Minnow bucket Allen Camarillo 348-2440
“The river continues to be clear but it is dropping. “There seem to be more smallmouth being caught. Use crankbaits to catch them. Catfish are still being caught on the river ”, Allen says.
***Lake Elmo Billings
Fishing continues to be good but not in the warmest part of the day. A good place for kids to consistently catch fish.
***Don’s Charlie 1-800-879-8194
Lewistown East Fork Reservoir
Charlie says, “Spring Creek is doing well. Different grass hopper patterns are now working. The gold and silver panther martins also work. Ackley fishermen are doing well by trolling with girdle bugs and wooly buggers.” “The river is good. They are still catching sauger on the river. Their using worms off the down river side of sandbars”, he said.
***Lewistown Sports Dave 1-406-535-6898
Dave says, “Spring Creek is still really good using hoppers. Crooked Creek is as good anything in the state. On Crooked Creek use bottom bouncers and night crawlers with spinners to catch the fish. They are in 10 to 18 feet of water. Fishing is really good.”
COMPILED BY Carol Henckel
Reward Offered for Trespass and Poaching: Deer Creek Shooting Range
August 21st, 2012MISSOULA – Jim McDonald, President of the 2,500-member Western Montana Fish and Game Association has offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the citation and conviction of someone who poached a deer at the WMFGA’s Deer Creek Shooting Center last Saturday.
McDonald commented, “The WMFGA continues to wrestle with trespass problems at the Deer Creek Shooting Center, people who illegally use our facilities without being dues-paying members. Such illegal use of the DCSC is trespass and results in vandalism by people who have no ownership interest in the facility. Because our valid members are also owners, they use the facility responsibly and follow our posted rules.
The Range Rules posted at the DCSC include: “12. WILDLIFE: No shooting at wildlife on premises.” In addition to large Range Rule posting signs at the DCSC, every member is provided with a fresh copy of the Range Rules every year upon membership renewal. Further, all members are authorized to enforce the Range Rules at the DCSC.
McDonald continued, “Saturday’s poaching is very unlike the usual conduct by our members, which is why we suspect it was done by someone trespassing on the DCSC. During organized matches at the DCSC, it has sometimes been necessary to stop the match in order to chase wandering deer off of a shooting bay for the safety of the deer. We take our responsibility to be respectful of wildlife and a good neighbor very seriously.”
The WMFGA is Montana’s oldest existing organization of sportsmen and women, having been founded in 1911. Owned and operated by the WMFGA, the DCSC is one of the most safe and well-developed shooting facilities in the Northwest, which makes it a significant asset for the Missoula community. The WMFGA is a membership organization, and only members and their supervised guests are allowed to use the Deer Creek Shooting Center.
Anyone with information about the poaching last Saturday should contact Jim McDonald at 370-2500, or the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Improving Rainbow Fishing In the Helena Reservoirs Fishing Report
August 21st, 2012Canyon Ferry: Rainbow trout fishing has picked up throughout the reservoir. Trolling cranks (silver, green and perch colored), spoons (hammered copper or silver) or cowbells has produced fish in 15 to 45 feet of water. Walleye fishing continues to be best early in the morning and late in the evening. The primary bite continues to be mid reservoir, especially between Goose Bay and Duck Creek, trolling worm harnesses in 15 to 40 feet of water and jigging bay points. However, the south end of the reservoir continues to consistently produce fish in 6 to 18 feet of water while trolling worm harnesses (copper and silver blades) tipped with worms or leeches. Vertical jigging (black, brown and orange) for walleye on bay points has been effective between Confederate and Hellgate. Yellow perch are being caught throughout the reservoir. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Rainbow action is fair with a few being caught while trolling cowbells or crankbaits in deep water around Black Sandy or in the Riverside area. An occasional rainbow is being caught at Riverside from shore on worms. Some walleye are being caught in the Causeway at night or just before dark while using jigs tipped with worms or leeches. Both trolling and shore fishing have had good results with a few perch being caught as well. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Holter: Rainbows are still being caught while trolling cowbells at 30 to 50 feet deep in the mornings from Split Rock to Holter Dam. Shore fishing for rainbows is slow. Walleye fishing is still a bit slow, but using worms or leeches at 10 to 20 feet deep in lower reservoir bays and around Holter Dam is producing some fish. Perch are being caught while searching for walleye. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Fishing On Flathead Lake Remains Steady in the Flathead Lake Fishing Report
August 21st, 2012Summer fishing on Flathead Lake remains steady. Fishing the north end of the center bar is a good area for smaller good eating Lakers.
Still Fly Fishing Opportunities in Bozeman Area Fishing Report
August 20th, 2012Gallatin River: The Gallatin continues to fly fish well. Especially with hoppers, spruce moths, and even some caddis. There have been a few fishing eating tricos earlier in the day. With shorter days the fishing on the Gallatin should only get better and better as we reach September.
Madison River: Fishing on the Madison as improved in the past week. We saw a nice drop in water temps and the fish have become more active. Hopper fishing along the entire Madison has started to pick up and the fish are keyed into them. There are a few spruce moths out along the Madison as well.
Yellowstone: The fishing on the Stone has cooled off. The Yellowstone had been fishing great the past month but has really taken a hit the past week. Hoppers/attractors with a dropper will still produce fish but expect to work a little harder than you would of last week. The Stone bellow Livingston will be your best bet until the river turns back on. With cooler nights and shorter days the Yellowstone should really pick back up in the very near future.
Written By: Kjel Olson, MORS Crew
Use the right weights: Fishing Tips from Professional Angler Pat Slater
August 20th, 2012Hi to One and All!
The photo is of a FAT 19 inch Buffalo Bill walleye I caught on August 12th on a Mack’s Lure Double Whammy Pro.
The days are getting a little shorter, cooler nights, and a cold front coming in the next few days should help to lower water temperatures. I’m looking forward to some great fall fishing.
I had the opportunity to put on a seminar at Cabela’s in Billings yesterday and I spoke on trolling, both crankbaits and livebait. I shared a couple of techniques used during this summer’s tournaments. One was simply reminding those present that when running bottom boucers have heavier weights on the front rods. Lighter weight bouncers on the rods in the back will allow those lines to be even further back and reduce tangles during sharp turns.
Also I discussed various weighting options which can position the harness/bait at different distances off the bottom. Long wires on bouncers hold the bait high, large floats near the hooks lift the bait even higher. If the fish are hugging the bottom and it’s sandy or muddy with few snags, try using an “egg” or bullet” sinker ahead of the barrel swivel and a short leader on your floating harness rig. This will position your bait a few inches off the bottom. Slinky weights rigged on the main line allow you to feed line to tentative biting walleyes. Be sure to place a plastic bead between the eye of the slinky weight and the knot to reduce the risk of wear or line breakage.
I’ll talk more about crankbaiting next week…. Use the right weights: Fishing Tips from Professional Angler Pat Slater
Til next time….Be Smart and Be Safe!
Pat Slater
Pro Staff: Mack’s Lure & Ranger Boats
The Dog Days of Summer, Good Fishing and Archery Preparation: Captain’s Column
August 16th, 2012The dog days of summer are definitely upon us. Hunters that are out with a 900 series antelope tag are going to face some hot dry conditions. It is also time for hunter education courses are set to begin soon in many communities around western Montana. Students can register online now at fwp.mt.gov. All hunter education classes are free, and a student must be at least 11 years old to receive certification. Any person born after January 1, 1985 must present a Hunter Education Certificate in order to purchase a hunting license in Montana. And prospective hunters must be 12, or turning 12 by Jan. 16, 2013, to hunt during the fall season.
Fishing is good on the rivers in the morning but reports that I have received indicate that the afternoon is a great time to take a nap or read a book. Then if you still have the itch to go fishing try it just before dark.
Jim Johnson from Lincoln called to tell me that he went fishing with Dennis Peterson also from Lincoln last Thursday and Peterson caught all the fish. “We had 4 poles out and all were rigged up the same but for some reason the only pole that received any action was Petersons”, reported Johnson. He later explained to me he thought his lack of luck fishing for the lakers in Flathead lake was the fact that he just bought a new lime green fishing shirt. It must be the dog days of summer! They were using the Zimmer whole dead-bait set-up and fishing in 90-110 feet of water around Bird Island. They fished from 9-3:30pm that day and with the temperatures close to 100 degrees in the afternoon that new lime-green fishing shirt by Under Armour that Johnson was wearing kept him comfortable. “There was a slight breeze so the new shirt was nice to have on with all its special features lime green and all”, added Johnson, “even though I didn’t have a chance to reel in a fish”.
Remember the Great Montana Mack Attack and Whitefish Jigfest will be held on Flathead Lake August 25-26 this year. For the $25 ticket to enter contact Gene Fincher at 406-261-6445
State fisheries biologists say that hot weather has caused the death of hundreds of Cisco, a prevalent forage species, in the Fourchette Bay and Narrows area of Fort Peck Reservoir. Cisco, also known as lake herring, is typically found in the deeper, colder areas of the reservoir. Warm water temperatures — recently documented as high as 84 degrees Fahrenheit in the Fourchette area – and subsequent low levels of dissolved oxygen take their toll on some types of fish, especially Cisco. “We’re getting reports of hundreds of Cisco floating and washing up near shore,” said Heath Headley, the reservoir’s lead biologist with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. “While the numbers of dead fish may seem like a lot to anglers, they should remember that the area where the die-offs are occurring is quite small when compared to the rest of the reservoir.” Headley said Cisco die-offs have occurred in the same part of Fort Peck Reservoir in past years. Shallow depths make the water more susceptible to large fluctuations in temperature.
The Story of ‘Jiggin’ the dream’
August 15th, 2012I would like to dedicate this week’s post to…well, us! I would like to share a little about Kit’s Tackle and how it originated and where it has come. The first thing I should say is that we would have never come this far without your support and belief in us and our products!!! It has been an absolute dream come true to follow my father’s passion and keep the rods swinging. He instilled his insane passion of the outdoors into me at a very young age (I’m talking 2 or 3 years old I was getting shoved under the console of the boat trolling for giant lake trout on Flathead Lake in the middle of frigid January). Looking back I don’t think I ever really had a chance to say, “Dad, I would like to go to the water park today instead of sitting in the boat on Holter Lake for 12 hours in 104 degree heat fishing for walleye.” Regardless of how you look at it, he created an absolute monster of a fishing fanatic. My burning enthusiasm and drive for the love of fishing and the outdoors is as solid as it gets. If I’m not on the water or in the woods physically, you can be sure that I am pitching jigs into a gorgeous rock pile mentally. With this being said, I take the same attitude towards Kit’s Tackle (where I can be an outdoor maniac…indoors).
Since I graduated from the University of Montana with a business degree (or a master’s degree in Jigging the Big Blackfoot and Clarkfork Rivers), I have gone wild taking the business to the next level. We have been very cautious in our growth model, focusing on incremental rather than exponential, so our bobber stays afloat. This has allowed us to create the best products on the market and listen to what our customers want, so we can focus all are efforts on the angler and the future of fishing. Kit’s Tackle is now in over twenty retail outlets in the northwest and the website is starting to get a lot of traction. Being a small company, we have very little funding for advertising so word of mouth has been our saving grace. With such a unique and quality product line that out fishes almost anything, word of mouth travels very fast. Not to mention, Kit’s Tackle is run by a father and son team and kept as local as possible, giving back to our community as much as we can. Although days at the paint booth can get very long, hearing testimonials from you makes it all worth it. With less time on the water now, I rely heavily on feedback and other people’s experiences and stories. This is what keeps it all rolling along and keeps me “Jiggin’ the Dream”
Here is an awesome article the Helena Independent Record wrote featuring Kit’s Tackle over the weekend that tells the rest of the father and son story of “Jiggin’ the Dream.”
http://helenair.com/lifestyles/jiggin-the-dream/article_a62e264c-e44b-11e1-99f6-0019bb2963f4.html
Mixed Results in the Helena Area Reservoirs Report
August 14th, 2012Canyon Ferry: Mixed results for rainbow trout continue to be the trend. Trolling cranks (green, orange and perch colored), spoons (copper or silver) or cowbells, around Confederate, Goose Bay and Round Top (15 to 40 feet), have produced the best bite. Walleye fishing continues to be best early in the morning and late in the evening. The best walleye bite has been mid reservoir, especially around White Earth and Goose Bay, trolling worm harnesses in 15 to 30 feet of water and jigging bay points. However, south end ponds continue to consistently produce fish in 6 to 12 feet of water while trolling worm harnesses and slow death rigs tipped with worms or leeches. Vertical jigging (black, brown and orange) for walleye on bay points has been effective between Confederate and the Dam. Yellow perch are being caught throughout the reservoir. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Rainbow action remains inconsistent with a few being caught while trolling deep water in the early morning hours with crankbaits around Riverside and Spokane Bay. Shore fishing for walleye at the Causeway Bridge at night has produced some good action. Bottom bouncing or jigging with worms in the Causeway has produced good results. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Holter: The rainbows have gone deep, but those trolling cowbells at 30 to 50 feet deep are finding good results in the mornings from Split Rock to Holter Dam. Shore fishing for rainbows is slow. Walleye fishing slowed a bit, but using worms or leeches at 10 to 20 feet deep in lower reservoir bays and around Holter Dam is producing some fish. Perch are being caught while searching for walleye. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Adam Strainer Fisheries Technician Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Helena Area Resource Office 930 Custer Ave. W. Helena, MT 59620 (406) 495-3263Dry Fly Fishing Report: Johny Perry’s Missoula Area Report
August 14th, 2012Hot weather continues to slow the fly fishing down in the afternoon on most of western Montana’s rivers and streams. There still is very good fishing in the mornings on Rock Creek and some areas of the Blackfoot River. Congo caddis, elk hair caddis, and a variety of medium sized terrestrial patterns are working in the more oxygenated waters. We are hearing mixed reports on the Bitterroot and the Clark Fork. If you can travel a bit you may want to check out the Beaverhead River now-double nymph rigs seem to be extremely effective now-size 16 to 20 nymphs-presentation and water choice seem to be more important than the color. The upper end is where most of the good reports are coming from.
Mountain Man
Good Opportunities in the Missoula Fly Fishing Report
August 14th, 2012Blackfoot: The Blackfoot continues to fish well. The early and later parts of the day will provide the most success. Grass hoppers, attractors, spruce moths have been the ticket. The caddis hatch in the evening continues to be great once the sun gets off the water.
Bitterroot River: The Root is still offering some good fishing opportunities. The upper sections have been great for wade fishing with hoppers, attractors, and PMDs. The mid and lower sections is still fishable but you will be best off fishing it early and late in the day with the warm water temps.
Clark Fork: The morning PMD fishing continues to be great on the Clark Fork as well as the evening Caddis hatch. Fishing is still possible during the mid day but you will need to work for it. Tricos and some midsize hoppers will be your best bet to move fish during the heat of the day,
Rock Creek: The creek continues to offer decent fishing conditions despite the heat. You will need to work for it a bit more but the you have options. Hoppers, attractors, PMD’s, spruce moths will all get the job done depending on the heat and time of day. A large attractor with a small bead head nymph dropper should produce fish all day long.
Written By: Kjel Olson
Limited Fish Kills Taking Place on Upper Section of Fort Peck Reservoir
August 13th, 2012GLASGOW, Mont. – State fisheries biologists say that hot weather has caused the death of hundreds of cisco, a prevalent forage species, in the Fourchette Bay and Narrows area of Fort Peck Reservoir over the past few weeks.
Cisco, also known as lake herring, are typically found in the deeper, colder areas of the reservoir. But a sustained period of hot summer weather has increased surface temperatures in the upper portion of Fort Peck, some of which is relatively shallow.
Warm water temperatures — recently documented as high as 84 degrees Fahrenheit in the Fourchette area – and subsequent low levels of dissolved oxygen take their toll on some types of fish, especially cisco.
“We’re getting reports of hundreds of cisco floating and washing up near shore,” said Heath Headley, the reservoir’s lead biologist with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. “While the numbers of dead fish may seem like a lot to anglers, they should remember that the area where the die-offs are occurring is quite small when compared to the rest of the reservoir.”
Headley said cisco die-offs have occurred in the same part of Fort Peck Reservoir in past years. Shallow depths make the water more susceptible to large fluctuations in temperature.
In addition, Headley said the relative abundance of cisco in the reservoir has increased over the past several years. That’s largely due to favorable spawning and rearing conditions created by higher water levels.
“This has led to an increased number of adult cisco in the current population, which in turn has led to healthier and larger game fish species in Fort Peck,” Headley said. “Anglers have likely noticed more robust chinook salmon, lake trout, walleye, and northern pike on the end of their lines the last couple of years. That’s why.”
Anglers are encouraged to report any sightings of fish kills on Fort Peck Reservoir to Headley by email at hheadley@mt.gov or by calling 406-526-3471, Ext. 206.
Gaining Hunting Access: Ask Early
August 13th, 2012Montana’s millions of acres of private land offer some good hunting opportunities—the only catch is gaining the landowner’s permission to hunt.
It is Montana law that hunters obtain landowner permission to hunt on all private land.
Here are a few things to keep in mind that will greatly improve results when attempting to secure hunting access to private land.
- Show courtesy to the landowner and make hunting arrangements by calling or visiting at times convenient to the landowner.
- Plan ahead and secure permission well in advance of the actual hunting date.
- Provide complete information about yourself and your hunting companions, including vehicle descriptions and license numbers.
- Explain what type of hunting you wish to do, and be sure to ask any questions which can help clarify the conditions of access.
- Follow the landowner’s instructions, and bring with you only the companions for whom you obtained landowner permission.
- Be sure to thank the landowner after your hunt.
For more on hunting access, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “For Hunters”, and then click “Block Management” then “Hunter Access“
Information Provided by www.fwp.mt.gov
Archery Season is Approaching and Plenty of Good Fishing: Captain’s Column
August 9th, 2012If you hold a tag, Archery season is right around the corner for antelope and the general archery season is only a few weeks away in Montana. Many bow hunters are beginning to get their bows tuned up along with their bodies. It is a good idea to start hiking around the backcountry to get your legs and heart in shape for the upcoming season. The professionals also recommend that you start shooting your bow to get your arms and shoulder in shape as well.
While hunters start to prepare for their upcoming season there is still plenty of good fishing to be had around the state this time of the year too! The lower Flathead River continues to produce nice catches of smallmouth bass and northern pike. “My daughter and I went fishing the lower Flathead River by Perma the other day last week and the smally’s were biting pretty good”, said Terry Baldwin of Missoula. Trisha Willey his daughter caught a nice size 34 inch northern pike. (Click here to view a picture of her pike on montanaoutdoor.com) “We were using banjo minnows and night crawlers on the bass and Trisha caught her pike throwing a green mepps spinner into the weed line on the river”, reported Baldwin.
The kokanee fishing is very good on Lake Koocanusa according to Tami from Northwest Sports in Eureka. She reports that anglers are not having any trouble catching their limit of kokanee and that the salmon are up to 15 inches this year.
Flathead Lake continues to produce lake trout. Trolling or dead-bait fishing are working well. Jigging in depths of 240-270 feet has also been effective.
Canyon Ferry Reservoir is still good for walleye fishing. It has been best early in the mornings and late in the evening according the Adam Strainer from FWP in Helena. Quite a few walleyes are being picked up mid reservoir, especially around White Earth and Goose Bay, trolling worm harnesses in 15-30 feet of water.
Holter Reservoir the rainbows have gone deep, but those trolling cowbells at 30-50 feet deep are finding good results in the morning from Split Rock to Holter Dam. Walleye fishing continues to be good while using worms or leeches at 10-20 feet deep in bays in the lower reservoir and around Holter Dam.
The walleye fishing is still good on Fort Peck Reservoir. The Fall Classic out of Crooked Creek just concluded last weekend and most of the 42 teams caught fish during the two-day tournament. The winning team of Kerry Parson and Doug Rohlf of Great Falls caught 45.3 pound of walleyes. Each team can enter 5 fish each day so 4.5 pounds is a nice average per fish. Crooked Creek Marina (406-429-2999) is now open with fuel and will remain open until November 1 depending on the weather. Crooked Creek is on the west end of the 134 mile lake; on the east end by the dam the King Salmon are starting to bite. “It still is hit and miss but we have had some anglers go out and catch more than one salmon in a day and as many as 5 in a day”, reported Gene Moore from Lakeridge Motel and Tackle Shop on Fort Peck. The salmon are running 12-29 pounds.
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