Eastern Montana Fishing Report for the Week of 3.2.15
By angelamontana

Posted: March 4, 2015

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.

(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

 

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“There were lots of people here but fishing seemed to be slow.  The ice is
good but you do have to be careful on the points. One fellow put his side
by side in at one of the points. There has been a lot of wind.  They
caught only a few northern pike and walleye.  The ice depth is about a
foot and a half.The lake has come up 2 feet. Eveything is a variable as
far as how the weekend ice is whith the temperature changing,” Bill said.
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
Staff says,” Lots of good freezing going on. On the north by the cabins it
is opening up.  The south end is still pretty good but there are some
pressure ridges to watch.  Be real careful.  There is one big pressure
ridge right in front of the marina. There have been fishermen out though.
Just be real cautious. ”

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345  Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“It was 17 degrees here, pretty cold. The ice is good.  I think it is the
best right now for the whole winter. Walleye fishing is slow.  They are
catching northern pike in the shallows in 5 to 10’ and it does seem to be
picking up. The lake is up 2 feet. The ice in the bay is 12 to 14 inches
and in the main area it is 8 to 10,”Clint says.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene, of Lake Ridge said,” Man it has been so cold here this week.  We
have had 20 mph winds.  Not a lot of people out there. There were a few
idiots who were going out. They were catching a few lake trout. The ice is
still good here. Along the edges it is open at places.”

Lake Elmo Billings
There is some ice out there but it is way too thin to walk on. The only
things walking on the ice are the geese.

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
“ We have open water on the North shore.  It is open enough you might be
able to put a canoe in but you can’t go very far.  The south and East
side is closed with ice.  It is open on the northwest side but not
enough for a boat. The only ice thick enough for fishing is at Willow
Creek.  There have been a few fishermen there. The change in weather
will really alter things,”Glenis says.

Deadmans  Tony Stefani
There is some ice out there but it is just not thick enough to get on it.
It is barely frozen.  I figure by Thursday it will be open again.  We are
having lots of wind. No one has been out.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“Martinsdale is open water. People are fishing from shore.  I heard of
people going to Deadmans trying to fish there this week but it got way to
cold, cold enough to ice the line up,” Tony says.

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
”It is really cold. We had 3 degrees. So it is making ice. There are very
few people heading out. Ice is really punky. Ice is way too dangerous.
Most guys have been heading to the Big Dry or Tiber. The bite is better
there,” Don 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, “The Yellowstone had too much ice to fish this week. We are
in transition right now. I don’t know about Tongue but I suspect there is
nothing happening there. I will not be at Tongue for the weekend selling
minnows until the weather changes for ice fishing.”

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,” Contrary to rumors we do have ice. It is hard and not
honeycombed. We have 10 to 12 inches of ice. The trout fishing has been
good. Make sure you call or stop in to find out about pressure ridges
before going out. The Madison Gallatin Walleyes Unlimited banquet is
March 28th. For more information call me at 266-3100.  ” The Marina is
open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“At Nelson there is still 20 inches of ice.  There are some nasty
pressure ridges so you have to be real careful. They are fishing for
perch at 30 to 40 feet.  That has been productive for some nice size
perch jigging,“ Mindy said.

Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in
any time

Billings-Scheels Josh
Nate says, ”On the Yellowstone they are catching lings and catfish.  I
heard Yellowtail is open and the guys were jigging.  At Olka Bay they
caught only 4 walleye. Don’t forget to sign up for the Walleye
University with Johnnie Candle to be held on March 21st.  You can call
Scheels to register 656-9220.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
” I haven’t heard much this week.  The rivers are open but it ws way too
cold to fish. They are catching big perch on Holter. At Canyon Ferry they
tell me there still is some good ice depending on where you get on,” 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 is starting to pick up. But it has been cold and I
noticed on the way here today that there are places where it is slushed
up on the edges. Nymph fishing would work. This warm up trend should
change things.  Try streamers on the Yellowstone.  Use nymphs on the
Stillwater. You might find some midge action also. The river level is up
a little.”

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
Kurt explains,” Fishing has been just okay. It has been slow fishing .
That water has been real cold. Try nymph fishing. It should be working
better. A few dry flies have worked this week as well.  The road to the
lake is plowed and they are catching a few walleye at the lake. Just
remember there is no services like gas or bait.”

Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.

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