With fall weather starting 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 conditions such as temperature, wind and precipitation can
change quickly. 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
“We had nice weather all weekend. Not a lot of fishing happening.  The
northern pike seems to be picking up a little. Walleye fishing is slow
although we did see a 11.25 and 10 ½ pound walleye that was caught. The
water temp is 65 degrees.  The water is down a little.  They are marking
pike at 15 to 25 feet and using cranks and bottom bouncers.
I heard that the salmon have moved to the shallows at 50 to 85 feet at
Fort Peck Dam. They are using cranks only for success.  It has slowed.”
Bill said.

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
“The weather was in the 70’s this week.  It seems to have picked up .  I
have seen a lot of crappies.  I sw a lot of nice ones in the 12 inch
size.  There seemed to be a bit more success on walleyes this week.
Bass being caught have been decent size.  Usually you see large mouth
bass but this week I actually saw some small mouth as well,” Bob
explained.
Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephannie /Warden Jordan Straley

“Our hours have changed. Until Oct. 1st we will be open Thursday to
Sunday.  Thursday is 8-6pm, Friday and Saturday 8 am to 9 pm and Sunday 8
am -6 pm.  We hope to open late December or early January when the ice is
on Saturday and Sunday for ice fishing.
We do have minnows at this time.  This past week we have seen the crappie
and bass doing well.  We saw some decent size like 2 to 3 pound walleye
being caught so that has picked up a little.  They jigged with a worm.
Crappie fishing has been doing well with just a worm, “Wade said.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345  Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
“It has been slow fishing this week. Northern pike have been average size.
Walleye that have been caught have been eater size. You find them in the
weed beds at 12 to 14 feet. You do have to hunt and peck in the weeds fot
them. The bass fishing has been phenomenal. You catch some awfully nice
ones. The water has dropped 3 feet last month but I think it is more
evaporation than anything else,” Clint said.

Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Speaking to Gene at 5:30 pm, of Lake Ridge he said,” the salmon are
starting to move in to the mouth of the bay.  They actually are catching
them at the boat dock by the marina now.  They are still going deep to 75
to 95 feet deep.  Still using flashers and squids. The lake trout are
still biting, they actually are active and can be found at 100 to 120 feet
down.”

A report received by email this morning read “Gene late last night(
probably hearing from fishermen who came from fishing all day to eat) told
me that the salmon fishing has slowed down a lot. Catching a limit might
be difficult as he told me no one has really caught any.  I also spoke
with a buddy who lives in Wolfe Point, he also told me that his buddies
are having a tough time out there.  Our (other) buddy
was out last Tuesday and did very good.  He took out some people from a
radio station from Billings who does a radio fishing talk show.  I guess
they went out on the very next day and never got any salmon at all. He
also feels it has either slowed down completely or just shut right down.”

Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Ken Frazer said, “ There are a fair numbers of fishermen out there.
They seem to be catching perch and some trout. So there is some action
going on out there.”

Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Malerie/ Glenis
Reports say fishing is hit and miss.  They had some luck at Fisherman’s
Point.  They also were going across from Red Lodge Creek. The trout were
18 inches or so. Worms and marshmallows have worked.   The water is
dropping.  It still is above normal. Cooney is still in stage 1 fire
restrictions.

Deadmans  Tony Stefani
“It has been pretty quiet this week as not many fishermen out there. They
are still catching salmon but not many,” Tony said. In the past weeks
marshmallows, powerbait and worms have worked for rainbows. Remember
campers about our change to a pay site.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“I was told it was pretty good fishing. They say it has started to pick
up at Deadmans or Martinsdale again on shore. Cool weather is making the
fish more active.”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie said, “ It is pouring rain right now so that is going to make it a
muddy mess.  At Fort Peck Crooked Creek they are catching walleye and
northern pike. They are trolling, using crank baits and a worm harness
going 12 to 15 feet deep.The eater size walleye are being caught along the
mud line at 14 to 15 feet.
On Spring Creek there is a lot of moss making it tough fishing. With this
rain I expect it will mud up.
Achley has really slowed up.

Crooked Creek-Grant
Crooked Creek marina is now open Friday, Sat and Sunday.  Word has it
that the fishing is doing well at Crooked Creek. Walleye are still being
caught. The store is open and they have night crawlers and other
supplies. The campground is open. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Minnow Bucket-Eddie White  696-1281
Eddie reports, “ Catfish on the Yellowstone are doing well. There is lots
of moss and they are hugging the moss. From Huntley East fish the edges
for success.  The bass fishing is excellent.”

We are now in summer hours.  We are closed Monday. On Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday we are open 11 to 5, Friday 11 to 7, Saturday 7
to 7 and Sunday 7 to 5pm.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ Not a lot of fishing this week with the rain. The fishing is about the
same.  Lots of eaters.  They are heading east more north to Goose Bay and
White Earth. I am thinking that the water might turn over soon which
should improve things. Trout fishing is still good. Most are using
crankbaits and bottom bouncers,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Nelson fishing is still good. They are using bottom bouncers with worms
and going 28feet deep.  They are  catching 15 to 20 inchers. Catching
some nice walleye.  The perch have turned on.   Use a jig and a large
size minnow.
Forchette has slowed down.  I would call it spotty. One guy will do good
and then the next 4 will do poor.”

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

Billings-Scheels
Dick Sharon says,” On the Yellowstone fishing is excellent for walleye,
catfish and small mouth bass.  It is great especially the small mouth
bass fishing. They are schooling up. We found them from Billings
downstream.
I was at the Hysham area for 2 days e caught  some normal size walleye.
The Yellowstone from Columbus up is good fishing. Use hoppers and
streamers.  The clarity is good which makes it best for streamers.
The Stillwater is low and clear.  It is average fishing.  Use hoppers
and streamers to catch trout.
The Big Horn is mossy and hard to fish because of the weeks.
Streamers are working.  Try going for tricots at around 9 am in the
day.
At Fort Peck the salmon is at 100 feet. Still hearing they are
catching salmon.
On Cooney I hear it is not doing well. Fish are tough to catch.
The Boulder is low and tough fishing. It also has some moss and
streamers are the best bet.”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540
Word has it they are catching little walleye at Canyon Ferry fishing. They
are catching numbers in walleye. Goo deeper for walleye.

The rivers are open.  It is definitely mossy and weedy which makes it
harder for fly fishing.
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
Bill says, “ The wind has come up so that always changes things.  On
the Stillwater fishing is good.  They have caught real beauties 18 to
19 inch brown trout.  Use a hopper with a dropper with nymphs.   On the
Yellowstone hoppers are a strong bite. You can really see the nice
features on the river because of the clarity. Use colors of peach and
purple. It was really good all day yesterday fishing. “
“
We now are in summer 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 666-2375
Josh says,” The cfs is stable staying steady at 2500. It is good tricot
fishing.  Use a size 22  spinner in black and white.  Tricos are working
in the early part of the day like 6 to 11 because it is cooler. There is
grass in the water so hoppers are not working.”
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.