Please be advised that ice conditions can change daily so please call the contact person in the area you are planning on fishing for current daily information. Also use extreme caution on the ice at all times. Good Luck Fishing from the Montana Outdoor Radio Crew.
***Bill – Rock Creek Marina 1-406-485-2560
The Back Bay has a bit more ice, but due to the wind conditions it is not consistently thick. The front section if frozen but not safe.
***Bob Peterson
Tongue River Reservoir
Ice fishing on the south end is good. It is just now fishing on Rattlesnake to the mine office. They have been catching just about everything some crappies, walleyes and the pike is still on . Walk only on ice. There is still some open water on other north end
***Clint Thomas – Hell Creek Marina 1-406-557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Ice fishing starting, but not thick enough.
***Gene Moore – Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Fort Peck Reservoir Dam/Bear Creek/Pines
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge, says “they are fishing in the river on some ice and in boats. The Lake is not frozen yet. But not in the bay. Possibly some ice fishing at Hell Creek or Crooked Creek. It is just plain cold, below zero and the wind chill is really there. The Milk River has a little ice in the dredge cut. Only a few good places to be found.”
***Lake Elmo Billings
This warden still is chasing kids off the ice. Still not safe at all. There is open water. If you like watching geese this is the time to come to watch.
*** Cooney Reservoir Jenny
The ice is 5-6 inches toward Fisherman’s Point. That is between Red Lodge campground and Fisherman point. The whole Willow Creek Arm, is walk only. Towards the dam it is thin and iffy and not recommended for ice fishing. It is just not safe to go on yet. The docks have been pulled. The new Park Warden is Maleri Schultz.
***Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin
Martinsdale has good ice. The ice is good but fishing is not picked up yet.
Deadmans has good ice and salmon is still being caught. Salmon are still hitting, but softer probably almost at the end of the run. They are snagging and remember the limit is 35 a day.
***Don’s Lewistown Charlie
Dale says, “fishing is good now in all of Central Montana. The ice is thick seven to 12 inches. They are four pound rain bow trout on the upper Carters. The fish are feeding.
***Crooked Creek Grant
According to fishermen it has ice, but the water is really shallow, four to five feet deep. Some catching going on. No supplies available at this time.
***Lewistown Sports Dave
All of the local waters around here have ice. That is Hanson Creek, East Fork Reservoir, and Casio Creek Reservoir. People are catching everywhere.
***Minnow bucket Allen Camarillo 348-2440
Guys are coming in here for big minnows to use for ice fishing.
People are fishing at Nelson up by Malta.
***Silos Sharon
There is five inches of ice to walk on. Saw a few people fishing, but there were 26 mph wind gusts, this week. Feel free to call for an ice report to get current up to the minute report.
***Tongue Bob Pederson
On the South end, it is forming good enough ice to get on. There is ice on Rattlesnake. They are catching walleye and crappie over to the mine office. Walking only for use. The north end is open water. The far north has started to close but not safe at all. The gates on the south end have been added to the fence in 2 places off the highway. You must close the gate and walk in only are the rules.
***West Side Sports –Dan 1-406-654-1611
Pike and northerns being caught on Nelson. The ice is 10 inches and they are using minnows to catch fish. Ice is picking up on west end.
Forchette is starting to freeze.
***Billings Scheels
The Yellowstone River towards Nelson has smaller chunks of ice now.
There is ice fishing at Crooked Creek. Northern Pike being caught.
By Malta, Nelson Reservoir has ice of 10 to 12 inches right now. They are catching perch, northern pike and walleye.
THE EASTERN MONTANA FISHING REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF 12/25/12 COMPILED BY Carol Henckel