The summer weather means you should stay aware. The 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
“Brittany says,” We saw some fishermen catching some walleye. They headed north to north west to find them. The water is 60 degrees so they are at 18 to 20 feet. I fished for pike and caught some nice size ones mostly 29 to 30 inches. They were at 12 to 20 feet. We were using fireballs, shad wraps and fire tigers, anything bright. ”
Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
“We had really hot temperatures and that meant people were looking for relief some days. We had wind, lots of wind a couple of days. We also had a fire whip up in the hills across the water. That made it really smoky. Then surprisingly the sky opened up and it rained and put the fire out. Now we have normal conditions. We did not have a full house in campers. The fishing seems to have slowed down if we can gage by the cleaning station. We saw some activity early in the morning and late in the evening but the numbers have been less. The water is pretty warm and that may be why,” Bob says.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“Crappie fishing is doing decent. We saw a couple 2 ½ pounders . They are in the shallows at 5 to 20 feet depths.
Not as many walleye being caught. They have slowed down. Try a tub jig or crawlers they seem to be working the best either from boat or shore. This week we had lots of recreation users ,” Wade says.
We are open 7 days a week. My hours will be Sunday to Thursday 8 am to 6 pm and Friday and Saturday 7 am to 9pm. I have minnows, leaches and worms on hand. Remember as of April 1st no shiner minnows are allowed on Tongue,” Wade said.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Office Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to
Cody explains,” Fishing has been pretty good. We had 2 days of straight rain so that slowed things down. Before the rain the fishing was good. People were catching quite a few northern pike . The walleye are being found east and some west between Snow Creek and Crooked Creek on the north side. For the walleye they are using bottom bouncers. Try blues and silvers with a worm or leech. The are at 15 to 25 feet. The northern pike are at 14 to 20 feet. On Sunday someone caught some nice walleye 7 to 9 pounds. ”
We are open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm now.”
The new park manager for Hell Creek State Park is Marina Matheson. “
Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597
Eddie and Carrie Mindt are the new owners.
Eddie says, ”The Governor’s Cup had some nice weights. For the two days the winning weight was 58.9 pounds. The first place team was Norm Sillerud and JR Rasmusan from Glasgow. Many headed west to the pines. We had good weather for the cup. Some salmon were caught today. The fellow fished July 7th. 8th and 9th. He caught a 16 pounder, two 13 pounders, a 12 pounder and a 4 pounder which was the smallest. He was using flashers and squids. ”
Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson
Fishing seems to be decent real early. The weather has been a factor this week. Try power bait, lures or worms.
Cooney Reservoir Glenis-John
John said,” With all the storms we had this week fishing people left early. Walleye are not too deep just 20 to 30 feet. Most who did fish headed towards the southwest. Offshore they are catching some rainbows. “ The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, ” fishing was only fair this week. Not many out. It was real windy. We had some real hard rain. “
Campers remember it is now a pay site.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
“Fishing seems to be normal at Martinsdale and Deadmans . I just am not hearing anyone is doing good. We had some windy days and that upset the fishing. On Martinsdale in the boat they are using silver colored rapellas . They sure are not knocking them dead , ” Terry said
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale explains, “ Things are muddy. We are seeing lots of it. Spring Creek is looking muddy . I think it will have cleared by the end of the week. When it does try yellow Sallys, PMD’s and blue wings hoppers.
Achley is doing okay. It is off color but not bad. Try fishing early in the morning and late evening. The boat fishing was good for walleye before the storms.
On the Missouri river the catfish fishing is good from the PM to the lake. Use cut bait or crawlers.
For Fort Peck on the west end people are catching walleye at 20 to 30 feet. Try jigging using leeches. ”
Crooked Creek-Grant
Crooked Creek is fishing well right now. Some big ones being caught. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ Fishing is pretty good all over right now. They are heading south up to White Earth and then North by Goose Bay. For the walleye try bottom bouncers in pink and purple. Use bright colors. Crank baits and bottom bouncers. The rainbow are all over. I only hear of a few northern pike being caught ,” Sharon said.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says, “ Nelson is good for walleye . Get out now before the water levels drop as they do the bank work.
Crappie fishing on Forchette is good. Use multiple tactics. Most are working well.
On Fort Peck I fished the Gov. cup. We caught a good number of walleye but just could not get the size. They were biting on both leeches and worms. We weighed in 5 each day.”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCade says,” I fished Fort Peck with a friend pre fishing the Gov. Cup. Lots of reports of fish being caught. We tried camo humps. Many guys were heading to the pines and some caught some nicer bigger ones. You can catch anywhere from the Dry Arm to Hell Creek. Go down 12 ro 20 feet and try bottom bouncers . Crankbaits work depending on the wind.
The Yellowstone river to Forsyte was clearing before the rain bursts. Guys have been catching cats, walleye, bass and sauger are doing well. They are pulling cranks and a few are jigging I am told.
Tongue river, I hear, is fine for crappies. The crappie bite is steady they say.
Cooney has been good fishing for walleye after dark. Try slip bobbering leeches, pull spinners and bottom bouncers.
At Canyon Ferry you can catch walleye on bottom bouncers and cranks right now.
The Stillwater is clear. It is at a good level and people are catching some nice rainbows they say. The Big Horn is seeing some grasshoppers.
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “Walleyes on Canyon Ferry are being caught. Try worms and foam floaters for the best results using a bottom bouncer. You will need lots of worms.
The rivers are getting mossy and are definitely lower. Don’t forget the Madison hoot owl rules are in effect. Check your rules before going as other places also have some hoot owl restrictions. On all three of them they are catching some nice trout.
I heard Dailey is doing pretty good. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
“ The fishing is good on the Stillwater. The flow is up to 1350 cfn. On the Stillwater try a large dropper. Jack Cabes and Chernobyls are working. For nymphs any soft tackle like hairs ear.
The Yellowstone is blown out. At Reedpoint this morning (Tuesday) water visibility was only 6 inches. Just now at 1 pm Livingston called and said it is really muddy. The guys are thinking it is going to get a lot worse. If you try fishing about all you can try is bank fishing using worms “, Bill says.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“ This is my last day on the Missouri I will fish the big Horn tomorrow. On the Missouri the fishing is good. The tricot are being seen in the early morning baring wind. For the last 2 days they were out until 11:30. After that use nymphs and grasshoppers. Throwing them we are seeing some big browns and lots of rainbows,” Beau says.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
“Fishing is very good. The cfs is now down to 2200. The water temp is 56 degrees. The hatches are mostly PMDs . Nymphing is good. Try an Gray Ray or tan ray in a 16 or 18 or soft tackle or a flashback . Some are having success with a two tone worm sow. For dry try PMD’s and black caddis. For streamers try zonkers and thin mints,” Stephanie said.
Our shop hours are 7 am to 7 pm now Monday to Sunday.
Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
Alice says, “Fishing on the Madison has been good. There are still several hatches in progress. Dry fly fishing has been better earlier in the day and in the evenings. Stoneflies are still around in the upper Madison and pale morning dun mayflies and caddis in the middle part of the river. Bugs, fish and anglers are loving the cold water. Please remember the Hoot Owl Hour restrictions in the Lower Madison, from the Ennis dam down to the mouth. This means a mandatory closure from 2pm to midnight on the lower Madison from the Ennis dam to the mouth.
In Yellowstone National Park upper elevation streams were definitely affected by this last weather pattern it will be several days until they are back in shape for fishing. Nymphing with stoneflies and small nymphs until clear water returns. Don’t forget your bear spray! ”