Report compiled by Carol Henckel
With fall weather approaching please be aware that it can be unpredictable. Remember to stay hydrated as you fish. Enjoy yourself but remember alcohol alters your judgment so use it sparingly while enjoying the outdoors. Keep an eye on the weather as temperature, wind and precipitation can change quickly. Be prepared for all types of weather.
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.
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“They are picking up walleye on crankbaits going 14 feet dep. I saw a 8 ½
pounder and the rest were 12 to 18 inches. The water temp is 60 to 62
degrees. The water is still coming up every day. The northerns were being
caught this week. I caught a 38 incher. There was a 17 and 15 pounder
caught as well. I think the fall bite is ready to kick up. So it will
get better.,” Bill said.
Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley
Bob reports, “the Tongue has been fishing pretty slow. I have seen a few
bass being caught. Someone caught some northern pike on Saturday. So
fishing has been hit and miss. Not many people out to know much more.”
We now have September hours. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we are now
closed. We will be open Thursday to Sunday 8 am to 6 pm.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Megan reports,” Walleye fishing has been scattered. Fishermen are coming
in saying they went to a depth of 4 feet and found some. The next one
found them at 18 to 30 feet. Still the next one said they went 40 feet
and found them. One group went shallow and got 2 to 3 pound eater size
fish. Just no predicting right now. You can get one and then someone
else gets quite a few. Northern pike and smallmouth are still being
caught in the shallows. They are using spoons and mostly crawlers. Also
bottom bouncer like we have used all summer. Clint keeps saying the water
is cooling. He says the temp just needs a little more temp drop to have
good fall fishing.“
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge says,” The mosquitos are really bad. It is just not
the norm to have them this bad this late in the season. We are having 85
to 90 degree days. They are even chasing the Wisconsin and Minnesota
fishermen back home. They ran them right out of the Pines. A few lake
trout are being caught going really deep, 120 to 130 feet. A few walleye
are being caught at 20 to 30 feet sometimes deeper using crawlers. You
can use a crank but you will only have success if you are skilled. Lake
trout are about ready, you just have to wait for the weather change. That
is when it usually happens. The salmon are being caught sparingly. ”
Lake Elmo Billings
“The fishing is slowing,” Bob says. Only a few fishermen out there right
now the rest have gone hunting.”
Big Horn
Bob says,” I am hearing it has been good. The CFS is at 3800. They are
anticipating that the water level will stay steady. The moss is out
they are telling us.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
“Trout are picking up a little. If you put in the time you get a few
walleye jigging. They are finding leeches work better. Better chance of
catching fish in the evening,” Malerie says.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
Terry says, “My dad says you can knock them dead on the Upper Musselshell
right now. Lots of bass and trout. He said he was killing them.
Otherwise people are buying a lot of worms and heading to Deadman’s. So
they must be getting something other than drowning worms. They just are
not telling us,” staff says.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
“Spring Creek is fishing well. There has been some hopper action. They
are using panther martins, Mepps, a few hoppers and beadhead nymphs. Try
gold and silver or just plain gold as they are. The guys are seeing some
blue wing action as well,” Dale says.
Crooked Creek-Grant
No new report. “The Marina is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every
weekend. We have gas, camping, and cabin rental. The store has night
crawlers and ice. Our number is 1-406-429-2999.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
“The Yellowstone is up 2 feet and is really muddy because of dumping from
the Clark’s Fork. Small mouth and walleye have slowed down. Catfish are
stable. When it clears the walleye and smallmouth should start biting
again,” Eddie says.
Tongue River- “I went fishing and the smallmouth fishing was good. Go to
30 feet deep. We came within 8 feet of shore. We got no walleye and we
fished from the dam to intake. The crappie fishing was great using bottom
bouncers,” Eddie said.
The hours of the Minnow Bucket are Tuesday to Friday 11 to 7 pm, Saturday
7 to 7 pm and Sunday 7 to noon.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“It has been warm here, 81 degrees. Canyon Ferry is still good walleye,
trout and perch fishing. Go deep 20 to 40 feet. They are going straight
out on either side, going east and north. People have been having some
decent days fishing,” Sharon says.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“Nelson turned on in the middle of the week. Use bottom bouncers. They
are good going 17 to 25 feet deep. Use worms for walleye. No word on
Forchette. It was slow earlier because it was warm. The mosquitos are
bad, bring your repellent,” Jim reports.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Josh
Josh says, “At Tongue smallmouth are doing pretty good. They are using
crankbaits with tube baits. Heard you can get some walleye at Cooney
right now. Try flicker shads. It is hit and miss for some. At
Yellowtail they are getting a few sauger and walleye. The bass was good
fishing though. I also heard that at Pompey the bass on the Yellowstone
were doing well.”
”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich is at fort Peck and is coming home a day early because they need to
take care of the fish they got. Lots of fish to get in the freezer. So
they found fishing good up there.
Shop hours are Sunday 12 to 4 pm. Closed Monday. Tuesday to Saturday
7am to 6 pm. You can always call ahead if you are coming through and need
something on off hours and we may be able to help.
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Chris reports, “Just heard the Yellowstone is muddy from Paradise Vlley
down. There is nothing good about fishing it right now. Before that
hoppers were doing good . The Stillwater is real fishable right now.
It is holding up well. The flow is holding up real well. Use the
standard nymph patterns in the morning when it is cold. Use hoppers as
it warms up. It is at 800 CFS. Had some people just come from the Big
Horn. They said it is off color and real grassy today. Real tough
fishing.” We now are in Summer hours in the shop and are open
Tuesday to Sun. from 9 am to 5 pm. We are closed Monday.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rich
Stephanie says, “The reservoir has flipped. With the temperature going
down and being cooler the water is murky. It is fishable but tough
fishing. Expect to have to work at it. The water is at 3789 CSF.”
Call if you need specific information.” Our shop hours are 7 am to 5 pm.
Monday to Sunday.
