The coming of spring means you must be aware that weather and water levels can be very 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.
(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Linda said, “We had snow and cold this week. The water temperature was 34 to 36 degrees. If guys fished they had poor results. Weather is the problem. The fish are not quite awake yet, “Bill said. The marina is closed now. The cabins and campground are open. We will have some fuel and ice.
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Bob says, “The weather has been poor. We have had snow and rain. It was slow this week not many visitors. Those who I talked to had no luck. They were using worms. If the weather warms up as they sy things might get better.”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“The marina will open next Friday, April 1st. we will be open 7 days a week. My hours will beSunday to Thursday 8 am to 6 pm and Friday and Saturday 7 am to 9pm. I have contracted with Pryor Creek Bait for leaches and worms so will have them on hand. I want to remind people that as of April 1st no shiner minnows are allowed on Tongue. I will have minnows, 300 minnows a week. I weighed a northern pike that was 18.9 pounds and 41 ½ inches. It was caught on Pee Wee Point. I heard some bass were caught but not many were catching walleye right now. The water temperature is 43 to 45 degrees and Tongue is filling. We did have some rain this week,” Wade explained.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Cody says,” Walleye fishing is fairly slow. The northern pike fishing is slow. If they find them they are in the shallows. You can catch lake trout in the bay right now at depths of 12 to 18 feet. The road is not too bad. It is a bit rough.
The new park manager for Hell Creek State Park will be Marina Matheson. Thank you Craig for your 4 years of work there. Good luck in the future. Welcome Marina. “
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene says,” It is finally nice today (Tuesday). The weather has been unsettled this week. Fishing was slow because of the wind blowing. We also got some rain. Not many guys going out in that. I think people stayed home for Easter. Flat Lake and the docks are open.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
With the weather conditions fishermen were fewer. They were catching only a few trout this past week when the weather was good. The wind and snow has changed things. It is supposed to be good weather on the weekend so that may bring people out this next week,” Bob says.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
“The docks are in. They are catching at Marshall cove using marshmallow or a worm. The boat fishing is what I would recommend. It just is a lot better. They are catching trout. At Cottonwood and Willow Creek they are catching walleye on a rapala. Our new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell. He was transferred from Dillon,” said Glenis.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” No fishermen or even boaters out this week. It was a quiet Easter. Fishing has been just that quiet. . The water is a little dirty and we had wind.” Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
The wind was blowing at Martinsdale. Guys who went out said it was pretty slow. The guys I talked to went out but got blown off. They only got one or two,” staff said.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie says, “It has been cold and rainy. That made the Missouri muddy and the roads muddy. On Spring Creek it is cloudy. Try a leach and a panther martin for muskies. On Achley they are catching rainbow trout and muskies. On the river try a jig and a minnow for trout.”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Open water at Crooked Creek. Please Call for information on if it is open. The pier is still pulled. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Fishing has been on an off this week. Weather has been a factor. Rainbows have been good. We had a lady who was a first time fisherwoman who caught two nice walleye. They were both 17 pounds, one was 34 inches and the other was a little less,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “On Nelson fishing is slow for walleye when jigging. On the Milk river anglers are using minnows and worms and catching some fish. On the river they are catching walleye and catfish. On the Missouri they are catching walleye and sauger, “Jim said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Stop in any time
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” This week I am hearing fishing was slow. The number of people fishing was down.
On the Yellowstone the water is weedier. The catfish fishing is strong. on places on the Yellowstone. The sauger you have to work for them.
On Tongue guys are going but getting only a few crappies.
The Big Horn is biting well.
On Fort Peck the lake trout at the dam around Bear Creek are being caught. The water seems to be cool enough.
At Crooked Creek at Fred Robinson they are getting some nice size trout but the numbers aren’t there.
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “This week the cold and snow made many people not head out fishing this week. Today it is 47 degrees but the wind makes guys turn around and head home. At Canyon Ferry the few that got out caught a few trout. Not many walleye though. The water is just cold at 40 degrees.”
The shop is open to walk ins. Call for help by appointment as well, Rich said. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“Yellowstone fishing has been decent this week. Guys have seen some blue wing midges hatches starting in the late afternoon. Nymph fishing is doing real well. Try princes and hairs but really try anything right now. You can float the Yellowstone. It is working best with streamers. Try using black wooly buggers. The cfs on the Stillwater is at 280. You cannot float the Stillwater yet. The Yellowstone is its low normal for this time a year. There are no march browns yet. People are catching some fish, “ Chris says.
We now are still in winter hours in the shop and are open Tuesday to Sat 9 to 2pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“Fishing on the Big Horn this week had been good. The flows are 2000 csf. There are some baetes, a few. There are enough to get some bites. There are a few midges in midmorning so you can target them. It always depends on the weather right now.
When you are floating I am seeing some grass in the water and also wind conditions. Try sow bugs using pretty much any colors, like pink, tan and gray. Use any midge larva in all colors. Because of flows be careful in the back channels as they are low and narrow.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
“Fishing has been really good. There is a little midge dry fly action. The cfs is down a little to 2000 and the water is clear. The water temp has been around 39 to 44 degrees. The recent moisture will probably change the clarity on Soap Creek area and the feeder streams. The water will start to have silt below the Big Horn access site. We are seeing streamers working well at Mallard. Nymph fishing is doing really well. We are seeing a midge hatch especially in the evening. We are seeing a few baetis starting. Try the Gray Rays, pink and orange tackle, juju baetis, zebra midges, red midges and San Juan worms. Use small baetis in size 20 to 22, students, and parachute Adams. Rainbows are readying to spawn. Beware of the redds. The Craig on the Missouri people have been doing real well,” Hale said.
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
Alice said, ”Upper Madison from Hebgen Dam to Ennis, is fishing well on calm days. Nymphing most days will catch fish, be prepared with size 10-12 brown and black stonefly nymphs. Depending on the time of day and bug activity fish size 16-20 midges or similar sized Pheasant Tail nymphs below the larger stonefly. Speaking of bug activity, if you see insects or rising fish, rely on the size 16-20 Griffith’s gnat and you may fish that behind a size 16 parachute Adams for good results. If you would prefer to fish streamers, cloudy days are best, try olive or black sculpin patterns. Rainbows are still on their redds up and down the river, give them a break, don’t walk on the redds or fish to actively spawning fish. Our future rainbow trout populations depend on you. Fishing season in Yellowstone National Park opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. “
