With winter weather here please be aware that it can be unpredictable. 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
“Even with the cold there is still open water in the main bay. There is
just not enough ice. Ice is just not ready yet. I have heard McGuire has
10 inches but the few guys that went out did not let me know how they did.
Also heard Buck Creek has ice. I took a ride yesterday and for the first
I saw some ice along the face of the dam starting,” Bill says.
The marina is closed but I will be around some of the time this winter.
The cabins are still open,” Bill says
Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley
There were a fair number of fishermen on the weekend. They are moving all
over the lake. They are catching some fish but it is not red hot. There
is snow on the ice. Ice is 8 to 10 inches thick. The bigger minnows are
catching some nice northernpike.”
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Craig Putchat of the Park office has offered to provide some information
on Hell Creek. Craig says, “As of today(12-30) at 12:30 we are finally
seeing a small skiff of ice. When you figure last week I was shooting
ducks there it is pretty surprising. It goes out to Lucky’s point. I
think if the temps stay the same we should see ice in a week. Devil’s
Creek has 5 inches. They are catching walleye and a few sauger. I have
heard the Dry arm by Nelson has ice.”
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” It is colder than Hell and we still have no ice
on the lake yet. Still lots of geese and ducks out there.”
Lake Elmo Billings
Bob explains, “Oh a few fishermen and their ice houses have been out
there. They have been setting up on the north end. They stay only a
couple of hours. So I am assuming it is slow. There are 6 inches of
snow on the ice. The kids have cleared up an area and made a hockey
rank so the ice is thick enough.”
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
Gladis says,” They just plowed the road yesterday. No one has been out
lately fishing. Cooney has ice as much as 8 inches and maybe more now.”
There is no open water.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Salmon spearing has just started. Stay close to shore. There was some
open water around the inlet last week before the cold.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“It is too cold to walk to your car much less go out. Some snagging of
Kokanee is happening. I haven’t heard any reports, staff says.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
”We are finally making ice. Achley is open. At Crooked Creek they are
catching northern pike through the ice. Use small glow jigs with maggots.
Late in the day they are catching black crappies. Anywhere else the ice is
just starting. No reports as of yet,” Dale explains.
Crooked Creek-Grant
The number to check if it is open is 1-406-429-2999. Word has it there
is a good amount of ice and people have gone out with success.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
Eddie says, “Tongue this last Fri. and Sat was cold and slow. It might
have been slow but the fish caught are big fish. You end up putting in a
lot of time. The majority caught are crappie. The south end has 10
inches. Devils Creek has 5 inches of ice they say.”
“I will be at Tongue every Saturday with minnows weather permitting. I
will be there from 7 am to 5pm. So you can get minnows,” Eddie explains.
We are in winter hours. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we
are open 11 to 5. Saturday hours are 7 to 5 pm. “Sunday to Tuesday is
appointment only. I have lockers and can put it in there for you just
call,” Eddie says.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon says, ”Canyon Ferry has good ice. We have 7 inches. They are
catching walleye, ling and trout. You can go south to Hole in the Wall.
Don’t go above Hole in a wall the ice is not ready. Right now I sure
would call for conditions. The Marina is open.”
Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“Ice on Nelson is good now. It is 4 wheeler good 95% of the time. Some
people have taken trucks on in some places. Know your ice. We got 18 to
22 fish. Spearing got us a 8 and 4 pounder. I saw a big northern that
was 34 pounds and 48 inches that someone caught right before Christmas.
That family caught 3 over 20 pounds that day. Forchette was still open
last week. It is freezing as we speak but not safe yet. Call me for
information as it changes a lot ,”Jim reports.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time
Billings-Scheels Josh
Josh says, “Cooney reports say it is hit and miss fishing. I heard
Crooked Creek at Winnett has 11 inches. They are catching mostly pike.
It is not hot yet. At Tongue I hear of catches of crappies, walleye
and pike. They say there is 10 inches on the south end. Petrolia now
has ice. Payola has people catching perch and at Vogel as well which
has 6 inches of ice. Southerland has ice. The ice is really clear and
11 inches. The wind was 40 MPH the day the guys went but they did good
with a squid.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
”I hear Canyon Ferry has been good fishing. The rivers are again iced up.
People who went out before it iced said the shelf ice 4 feet to shore
and some had folded over and made it pretty tough to fish. I hear people
are doing real well on Nelson catching walleye,” Rich says.
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 says, “It has slushed up and iced up. There is no open water. So
at this time fishing is just not happening. ”
We now are in fall hours in the shop and are open Tuesday to Sat. from
9 am to 2 pm. We are closed Monday and Sunday.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-237
Hale says,” It is cold fishing . Fishing is still good. You can use
streamers like sowbugs and scuds. Streamer fishing is the way to go. If it
warms up the fishing will really be good.All boat ramps are in. If it
snows Olka Bay is not plowed so then it is not useable”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
