The changes into fall with snow and rain weather means fishermen should stay aware. The weather and water levels have changed drastically. 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 will 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 says,” Today we pulled the rest of our docks. Fishing, I hear is still good. Linda and Neal went out and found it good for northerns and bass. A few fishermen are snagging a salmon or two. They are finding them along the shore. Troll for northern in 10 feet of water. The water temperature is 56 degrees. The marina is closed. We will still have cabins for rent. So some services will be available if one of us is around.”

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob
Spencer says,” The fish cleaning station is closed. After October 14th we will have only camper points 1 to 8 to the north and 9 to 11 open. The camp sites are now first come first serve. It looked like pretty good fishing this week. Crappies are still being caught. The water is down but the fishing isn’t too bad. ”

Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley
“ I spoke to someone at the saloon this week that found when he went fishing walleye fishing was slow. They are still catching some crappies. Not as much wind this week. The marina is closed but we will be ready when ice fishing gets going ,” Wade says.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to
“Not many fishermen this week. The fishing for northern pike and bass is not too bad. The cats are layering at 8 to 12 feet depths. Try cranks for northerns. The small mouth have been decent try going deeper to 14 to 18 feet and you can find them in the rock piles. Walleyes fishing is slow. The roads are good.
We are open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm now. ­­­­­­­
The park manager for Hell Creek State Park is Marina Matheson. “

Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597
Carrie says, ” Salmon are still being snagged. The lake has cooled down so the lake trout are coming into the shallower waters. Down rigging is not working as well. They are finding them towards York island. The average salmon size is about 15 pounds. The weather has brought some salmon in the bay. We did have some wind and rain this week but it did not slow the salmon to much.“

Cooney Reservoir -Glennis
A few walleye are being caught. The water is low. Fishing seems to be good from shore for trout using the usual night crawlers and power bait. The docks have been pulled. The Marshall launch is closed. “
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell.

Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, “Lots of antelope hunters camping here. They did the fish count this week and found some nice numbers. I did see one young fisherman who brought his small boat and went fly fishing for muskies. He has caught a few little ones. The mud is still deep like 5 to 6 inches right now because of the weather. It is just hard to get anywhere. In the past guys were catching a few salmon. The water is low. The dock has been pulled.”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “Not hearing of anyone heading out. The pond is low right now and I don’t know that will change. It has been pretty slow fishing everyone is hunting.”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie says, “ Spring Creek has cleared up. There has been some good bead head action. On Achley there has been some tiger muskie caught 24 to 26 inches. I have not heard much on the Missouri. The last I heard there was talk of some mud. The best lures have been Marabu flies with red eyes. I heard at Fort Peck it is pretty muddy.“

Crooked Creek-Grant
I have heard the muddy conditions with the weather made fishing difficult at Crooked Creek. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ The windy weather has made fishing difficult again this week. Only a few fishermen out. If you were able to get out the trout fishing has been decent. The trout size is 3 to 5 pounds. They are going east towards Confederate. Some perch were caught. Walleyes not so much. Still had some huge winds. There is enough water to launch here by Silos. The water is 3 to 3 ½ foot out of the bay. Stay to the north, “ Sharon says.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“At Nelson and Forchette this week guys are using jigs with a minnow to catch fish. Nelson is up some. Fishing is still spotty. Catching fish right now is a matter of if you were there on the “right “ day. You have to get there on the right day and in the right spot and use just the right bait. Some guys were in and said the ramp has water now up to the bottom of the ramp. Boats are heading to the north end towards State park ramp to put in. I want people to know that travel is slow to get there. The roads have been washed out so there is construction going on so travel can be slow,” Don said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” We are hearing that guys are doing well for saugerl. Use cranks and jigs with minnows for sauger on Yellowtail.
On the Yellowstone river the water has cleared up. The bass and catfish bite has been fair.
Guys are still telling us that they are catching some walleye from a boat or from shore at

Cooney
On the Tongue this weekend the bass were producing and being caught. “

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ There has been lots of rain and wind this week.
On Totson at the dam the water is down I was told but they are catching.
The rivers are picking up. That’s all three of them, the Jefferson, Gallatin, and Madison. We had good winds but I heard the fly fishing was good on the Gallatin at times.”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Chris tells us, “The Stillwater is still really doing well on the lower end. Especially from white bird down. Use a little black wooly bugger. Try using a Grinch or bow river. Some say a white wooly bugger works too. In a nymph in an 18 or 20 inch. You can float it now.
Try Floating on the Yellowstone. Use streamers when it warms up, just pick according to the water for color. The black bugger or the Grinch has been working.
We are still doing walk in or wade or float trips, just call the shop. Our hours now are 9 to 5 Monday to Saturday and 9 to 1 pm on Sunday. ”

Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
“It is still decent river fishing . The cfs went up and down this week. There still is grass breaking loose. I have seen a few tricot hatches around noon. A pseudo hatch also starts around noon. Streamers are working pretty well. The cloudier weather helps. I think below the lower access it will be too muddy to fish now,” Beau says.

Steven Caldwell guide
“Nymphing has been good fishing. Use San Juan worms or the favorite may fly nymph. I am seeing a baetes hatch around noon now. Try fishing with streamers right now and you will do well. Go to the dam. Head to Wolf Creek. At the bridge stay alert. The Canyon is good fishing, “ Steven explains.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Stephanie says, “They have let some water off and turned it toward the small dam so they could do some work. So they increased the output from the After bay. It is supposed to be a short term change.Dries are working. Try using BWO, blue wing olives for dries. Try small tricos patterns. Fishing was good. The cfs is still up to about 2500 now. There is some grass in the water. They are still seeing trico and baetes . Nymphing is slower now. Use the thin mints and dirty hippies on the streams. Black caddis patterns are working. “ 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
Madison

Alice says,” The Madison was pretty good. The milder weather has helped. Fish are eating small nymphs or black and olive streamers. Use dark stonefly nymphs and small blue winged olive mayflies. On sunny days or on warm, days you might see fish eating Caddis. Use dry flies and hoppers.

Yellowstone National Park
Alice says, “Make sure you check current weather and road conditions in the park. The lower elevation streams are fishing well. The recent precipitation has helped. The cloudy weather has brought out more baetis bugs. The rainbow and brown trout are running upstream out of Hebgen. Catch them on peacock soft hackles, small to medium sized light colored streamers and caddis nymphs. Try dry fly fishing. Keep an eye out for bear evidence and there have been many sightings. Be bear aware and carry bear spray. “