EASTERN MONTANA FISHING REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF 12/31/12
Compiled by Carol Henckel
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 ice is in the Back Bay but it is still working on thickness. The front section is newly froze .
***Bob Peterson-
Tongue River Reservoir
Ice fishing is going on the South end. The ice is now beyond Rattlesnake to Sand point to the mine office. They are catching a few of all species. Walk and 4 wheelers are in use on the ice. “Just stay close to the edges with the 4 wheelers for safety” said Bob. The gates on the south end have been added to the fence in 2 places off the highway. You must close the gate.
***Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
There is 5 ½ inches of ice in the Bay. You can use 4 wheelers there but with caution. The main area is only 2 inches and not ready yet.
***Gene Moore Lake ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Fort Peck Reservoir Dam/Bear Creek/Pines/
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says “Not a lot of ice up here yet.” You can find a bit on the back Bay but it is just okay. There is a small amount of ice at the dredge cut. “The temperature hasn’t been lower than 20 degreed day and night”, Gene says.
***Lake Elmo Billings
Elmo is froze over now. Just starting to fish it now.
*** Cooney Reservoir Jenny
The ice is 8 inches toward Willow Creek. The whole “Willow Creek Arm”. It is walk only. Towards the dam it is thinner at 6 inches. The docks have been pulled. They are ice fishing and ice skating and enjoying the cold weather recreation.
***Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin
Martinsdale has good ice. The ice is good and they are definitely catching..
Deadmans has good ice and they are still catching some salmon. Not as many limiting out.
***Don’s Lewistown Charlie
They are ice fishing from Malta on and doing good on Northern pike, perch but walleye is real slow. Other ice is a bit better and some catching is going on.
***Crooked Creek Grant
According to fishermen it has ice but the water is really shallow, 4 to 5 feet deep. They are catching Northern Pike there. No supplies available at this time.
***Lewistown Sports Dave
All of the local waters around here have 4-5inches for ice fishing. That is Hanson Creek, East Fork Reservoir, and Casio Creek Reservoir. They are catching rainbow trout.
***Minnow bucket Allen Camarillo 348-2440
I am selling a lot of large minnows. People are saying theTongue is fishing good. Guys are catching big crappies he has heard using big minnows.
People are fishing well at Nelson up by Malta he has heard.
Some people are going to Castle Rock and Petrolia and he heard the ice is 8 inches thick. He heard you can walk on ice by the spillway.
***Silos Sharon
The ice is 8 to 10 inches and good. The fishermen are saying it is slow but they say that is because of the full moon and when that is done it should pick up. They are catching trout, walleye and ling but not much perch yet. The guys are trying everything maggots, worms and bait. Feel free to call for a current ice report.
***West Side Sports –Dan 406-654-1611
Nelson has deeper ice and people are catching pike and Northerns. The ice is 16 inches and they are using 4 wheelers and some are driving as well. They are using lots of live minnows.
Forchette is not frozen yet.
***Billings Scheels Nate
We hear they are driving on Cooney. And they are catching quite a few perch.
Yellowtail at Horseshoe South in Wyoming people are catching sauger and ling. They are catching their limits.
Fort Peck has the bays froze and ice is 4 to 6 inches. The main lake is still open.
Tongue River South to Pewie is fishing pretty fair. They have caught their limit a few times of walleye. They are catching 8 to 10 inch perch and some are spearing perch and getting 6 to 7 inchers.
From Martinsdale to Bear, Sutherland to Newland all have ice fishing. At Sutherland they are catching good size ling.
There is ice fishing at Crooked Creek but of course the water is not deep.
Nelson Reservoir by Malta has ice for driving on and they are doing quite well. Someone caught a pike 19.2 pounder at Malta. They are catching perch, nice northern pike and only a few walleye.
