(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

Please be advised that conditions can change daily so please call the contact person in the area you are planning on FISHING for current daily information. Weather is changing and some days wind can be a big factor.

Keep an eye on the weather while you are out there and stay safe.

Good luck FISHING from the Montana Outdoor Radio Crew.

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560

“The Fishing for a cure tournament was a big success. We had someone catch a 13” walleye. Fishing is still pretty good. Go to 8 to 15 feet and use blue and orange. Walleye are going for worms right now. You are going to be working a little harder for them. Water temperature 66 to 71 degrees.

Lots of bass are being caught on the rocky points. The whistler jig seems to be working. It is still good for walleye and I would say northern pike and bass are biting the same.

Tongue River Reservoir

Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson

“Bass fishing is phenomenal right now. These top water feeders are taking plastic worms on crankbaits. You sure can catch them right now.

Walleye are catchable going deep with worm harness or bottom bouncers on the north end of the reservoir. Pike are still being caught on crankbaits as well. If you want to catch crappie try fishing with orange and yellow bait with a black dot in the evening.

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

Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir

Fishing has been pretty slow. I have seen a 7 and 10 pound walleye this week but that is not the usual. Most are pretty small. They are using bottom bouncers with the fire tiger color. The water temp is about 65 degrees and the water has flipped. The Northern pike are doing okay on crank baits at 14 to 16 feet.” Bass are biting about normal.

Rene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597

Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says,” Head to the Pines for good fishing right now. They are finding and catching smallmouth anywhere there are rocks.

Salmon at the dam are pretty slow. The catching is real spotty. Lake trout are working with flashers, squids and flutter spoons. Go to depths of 85 to 125 feet for them. Walleye are being caught at 30 to 40 feet from the major points.”

Lake Elmo Billings

There are always people fishing and many are having results in the early morning and late evening. Small boats are looking for fish and getting trout but by 9am in the heat of the day they are off the water. Lots of recreational play happening.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri

Malerie says,” Fishing is picking up on the North shore. Walleye fishing has been steady. Trout fishing has been up at Red Lodge Creek. Power bait is working with a sinker off shore. I actually have seen fishermen get their limit. They are jigging from a boat 10 to 14 feet and catching walleye. A few are using bottom bouncers with less success.”

We are in stage 1 fire restriction so you can have a fire in a fire ring.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Justin

“At Martinsdale you cannot load or unload at the ramp because of low water. Trout fishing at Martinsdale in mornings and evenings is best but real slow fishing. You can use the gravely area to the south and load.

You have a better chance there, “Justin explains.

“At Deadmans the water is off the boat ramp. You could still launch and load off Deadmans as of Sunday but the water is dropping. There are a few rainbows being caught from shore. It is tough water right now. “Justin said.

Don’s Lewistown- Dale

“After 25 days the wind has finally stopped. On Spring Creek hoppers are working. There is a PMD hatch. It is slower. Just a bit off right now.

The fish are taking nymphs.

On Fort Peck cranks fished deep to 12 to 30 feet is best. Some are using worm harnesses as well.

At Achley use bait from shore. Fishing is pretty slow. From a boat use deep trollers and leaded lines.

On the Missouri at Fred Robinson to Slippery Ann people are still fishing for catfish. Traditional bait is still the choice. Northern Pike are still biting,“ says Dale

On Crooked Creek by Winnett, not much is being caught.

Crooked Creek-Grant

The marina will not be open. It is closed but cabins are still available for other uses just call 1-406-429-2999.

Minnow Bucket-Allen Camarillo 861-0156

The river has gotten lower and has cleared some. You still see some moss. Bass fishing is good I hear at Waco, Pompey and Captain Clark.

Catfish fishing is good. They are catching bigger catfish in the 10 plus range. Use the usual cut bait, minnows or crawlers. Sauger are being caught as are walleye in the Hyshum and Custer area.

Some big bass are being caught in Billings. Some people are really catching big ones right by the city.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

People are saying the fishing has improved a bit this week. Perch fishing has picked up. Nice ones are being caught I hear. You have to work a bit harder for the walleyes but you can find them on the South end. Water temperature has cooled a bit.

West Side Sports Dan 1-406-654-1611

Nelson has slowed down a lot. Not as many fish but lots of mosquitos. Use a bottom bouncer, and spinner harness for Walleyes by going deeper 15 to 20 feet. Cranks are working for northern pike but go only 8 to 12 feet deep. One fisherman told me he caught walleye mostly in the late evening.

Forchette

Forchette has seen the walleye bite slow way down. For Northern pike they are using steel leader and even they are slowing down. Try using worms and bottom bouncers for walleye. For northerns they are using cranks and rapalas, shad raps and flicker shads. The heat and rain is determining success.

Billings-Scheels Nate

Fort Peck Glasgow Lake trout are still being caught. Jigging and also using a worm harness is working.

Tongue River Bass fishing is good right now. Head toward structure using a slow trolling motion. Walleye fishing is slow and spotty. A few crappies are also being caught.

Cooney People are fishing but not getting many with any size. Try bottom bouncers and cranks for any success.

Yellowstone I hear fishermen are catching bass around Huntley below the dam right now. Catfish are still hot on the Yellowstone. Use the standard bait.

Yellowtail Use crank baits at 35 feet to catch some saugers and walleye.

I have also heard of a few bass being caught too.

Nelson I was told that Nelson is still full and is fishing pretty good right now.

Rock Creek Very tiny flies are working high on Rock Creek for trout. The road is really rough but the fishing is good. The brookies were really nice size. If you go lower try hoppers they were really working.

Rich’s Tackle Richard

The rivers have really dropped but some are catching despite the restrictions and low water. Between the low water and heat, fishing is not predictable.

Canyon Ferry

I am hearing walleye fishing is pretty good. Anything seems to be working. It seems the best time to catch is 10 to 2.

West Gallatin The West Gallatin is really low. Really hard fishing.

Pretty shallow here.

Petrolia

I heard again from a couple of guys that are perch fishing. They said it is hit and miss at Petrolia. They said they caught them early in the day.

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

On the Yellowstone hoppers are fishing well. Use pink or peach colors.

It is so fishable and you can float it.

The Stillwater is really low. In places it is too low to float right now. There are places where you have to drag the boat. Hoppers, hopper dropper set ups are working well. Hairs ear and copper Johns are working as well. Both streams have an occasional PMD and some cattis hatch. The CFS as about 400 or lower.

Due to the low water and water temps be aware of how you handle the fish you catch. Do as little handling as possible.

Fort Smith Trout Shop 666-2375 Rich

Nymph fishing is good with baetes and sow bugs. San Juan and black caddis are workin on the lower part. The hatch is better in the pm.

The baetes size 20 to 22 are what to use after noon on the river.

The upper 6 to 7 miles PMD’s are working. The caddis hatch is getting better every day. On the 20 miles down river fish early in the am until about 10 for the best fishing right now.

Nymphing is still good on the Big Horn river. Streamers in black and olive are working real well there.

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel; Cover photo: ginkandgasoline.com)