With winter changing to spring be aware that it 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
Bill said, ”We have had no wind this week and sunny days. We still have too much ice but none to ice fish on. Half way up the bay is open. You cannot get to the water. There are some places where a boat could be put in but it can’t go anywhere once it is in. We just have to wait,“ Bill said. If you are going up it is suggested you call as conditions are changing fast. The marina is closed now. The cabins and campground will be open for a while. We will have some fuel and ice if I am here.
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Bob says, “Things are pretty much open. There is still some ice on the south end. You can put a boat in at Campers Point and go south or north until you meet the ice. It is raining right now. Weather is a big factor in when the little ice breaks up. It is supposed to be warm.”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“It is open except on the south end. I would say it is 94 per cent open right now. It is open all the way to the dam. The marina will open sometime after the 15th of March. The vending machine will be stocked right now with worms and minnows until then,” Wade explained.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Craig Putchat-Park Office
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
Clint says, ”The ice is off the water. The docks are not in. I have some inspections that I have to go through before I can put them in. The ice left a couple of days before. The guys that are getting in the water are catching a few lake trout. They are biting but they are not getting many. Nothing else has started to bite. “
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene says,” the ice is off at Duck Creek and at the marina. There are some guys fishing there. There is still ice on Flat Lake. They are catching some walleye and northern pike toward the pines. They are catching lake trout towards York Island. We have had beautiful days.”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
The lake is wide open. Some are fishing from shore. Some catching happening from there.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis
“The ice is all off the lake. We are putting all the docks in this afternoon. (Tuesday) The fishermen are catching lots of rainbow trout. They are using worms and marshmallows deep off the bottom. A few have used worms or Rapela and a bobber. There have been some big trout caught. I am happy to welcome our new Park Ranger, Skylar Mitchell. He was transferred from Dillon,” said Glenis.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” Deadmans has open water. Mostly seeing guys trying their boats. The few that are fishing are trolling with a worm and marshmallows. They are fishing off the banks using power bait and worms. Have not heard of anyone catching.” Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Staff said,”Deadmans and Martinsdale is open. The ice is off. I am not hearing of anyone having any luck.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie says, “The Missouri at Winifred by the PN bridge is open and has been decent on ling at night with minnows. The river is open below the slip but has been quiet as far as catching.
Spring Creek is clearing. They are seeing some blue wing hatches. The ice is leaving Achley and elsewhere.”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Open water at Crooked Creek. Please Call for information on if it is open. The pier is still pulled. The number is1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“The ice is gone we have open water. The docks are open. The water temp has been 44 degrees. They are catching some nice rainbows.
We have our spring tackle in and just got in a large number of Rich’s tackle which works well on Canyon Ferry. Call with any questions.
The Gates of the Mountains and Holter is open. So is Hauser,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Nelson still has ice. It is good for ice fishing too dangerous.
Bone Trail and the Milk have opened up. The Missouri by Fred Robinson has opened and is fishing okay. Forchette has open water so you can put a boat in, “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,” Still lots of people going to the Yellowstone. The river has been strong fishing. Lots of sauger, bass and not as many catfish. The catfish fishing will get better as the water warms up a bit more. It is strong fishing at forsyte, and Hysham. Not many walleye being caught.
The Big Horn has been good. The bite is decent.
I hear tongue is almost clear of ice. Someone caught a couple of nice bass there this week.
On fort Peck people say it should not be long before the fishing will be good.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “It has been snowing since seven this morning. Nothing is sticking yet. The temperature is 38 degrees.
The rivers are pretty good. I am not hearing any one river is better than another. Try using beaded head nymphs and streamers are working for browns. The water is rising on the rivers. It may be runoff already.
On Canyon Ferry fishermen are saying the ice is gone. They are mostly catching trout. It was windy on Sunday when I was there. Some are fishing off shore.
Ennis Lake at the outlet by the dam has been decent for fishing. They have been catching rainbows and browns.”
The shop is open to walk ins. Call for help by appointment as well, Rich said. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“People have been getting out to fish on the rivers. CFS is 275 still. The Stillwater is low is not good for floating yet. You can float the Yellowstone. On the Yellowstone streamers are working so so. You have to g kind of deep. There is no dry fly action. We are seeing an occasional midge, blue wing, but not enough to see any action. The biggest thing is the wind. if you can get away from it,” Bill says.
We now are in winter hours in the shop and are open Tuesday to Sat 9 to 2pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
“Fishing has been good. The cfs is 2500 and the water is clear. A few are mentioning a little moss. You need to fish deep. We are seeing a midge hatch about every other day. The conditions look the same but one day they bite and the next it is real slow. Nymph fishing is good. Try the Gray Rays, pink and orange tackle, juju baetis, zebra midges, red midges and San Juan worms. With the limited dry fly action try using small baetis in size 20 to 22, students, and parachute Adams. On the lower part blue wings are starting to work. Streamers are working pretty good. Use a weighted line. Go deep. Streamers like thin mints have started to work,” Steve said.
Our shop hours are 7 am to noon now Monday to Sunday.
