(Report compiled by Carol Henckel)

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560

“Bill   says,” I went fishing this week again   and fishing was good.  We caught 10 northern pike   and 3 bass in 3 hours. Fishing was steady. The biggest pike was 32 inches. We have had wind some days at 40 mph.  It sounds like it will be nice   for the weekend.  We trollws for northern in 10 feet of water.  The docks are pulled . As   of Oct. 1 the marina will be closed.  You can still get gas if someone is around and we will   still have cabins for rent.  So some services will be available if someone is around.”

Tongue River Reservoir /Bob

Bob   says,” this week we had some weather. The camp sites are now first come first serve.  Fishing was okay.  Crappies were caught more this week.    The water is down but the fishing isn’t too bad. ”

Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Straley

“  Some days we had wind this week.  Lots of crappies, and I mean lots of crappies were caught this week.  Some nice bass were also caught.  Some worth bragging about.  Some guys were plum tickled by their catch.  Now with the rain I don’t know   In the past I have been surprised because usually the fishing slows.  What I have seen is usually for 2 days after a storm, fishing is bad and then it comes out on fire after that.  Makes no sense but that is what I have seen.

This week we moved back into the marina.  Stop by and see the season end inventory sales.  We are closed those days,” Wade says.

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345  Marina Matheson-Park   Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to

Clint says,” Fishing is best for northern pike and bass.  They were doing real well on bass this week.  Quite a few northern pike are being caught right now.  The cats are layering   at 8 to 12 feet depths.  Guys looking for northerns are using   cranks. The small mouth   are deeper at 14 to 18 feet.  You can find them in the rock piles. Walleyes are in the normal mode for this time of year. Catching a few here and there.  They are unpredictable. The guys are also picking up a few lakers. Most are at depths of 40 to 50 feet depths.  They are finding a only a few at 20 to 30 foot depths.   The bass tournament   will be held this weekend,   October 15^th and 16^th. For information or to sign up call Penny Wiles at 406-665-1992.”

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

Staff say,   ” Fishing is pretty good if you   do it in the rain.  We have gotten 2 ½  inches  of rain as of this morning.    Salmon fishing is still good. They are snagging them.  The average salmon size is about 13 to 20 pounds.  Guys are finding a few walleye heading out toward Duck Creek. Try at 20 to 30 feet of water using a jig and minnow.“

Lake Elmo Billings FWP-Bob Gibson

Weather has slowed fishing some. Try early morning fishing.  Usually right after daylight. You can catch rainbows and a few perch.

Cooney Reservoir -Glennis

Glennis   explains,  ”  The water is real low.  Fishing seems to be good from shore. Guys are catching trout using the usual night crawlers and power bait.   We have pulled all the docks. The Marshall launch I closed. “

The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell a transfer from Dillon.

Deadmans  Tony Stefani

Really slow   fishing with the weather.   Not many out.  A few guys are catching   salmon.  The water is real low.  Big boats   CAN NOT get in. The dock has been pulled.

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22

Terry says, “ The pond is  really low right now. There is just not much happening fishing wise. I did hear the other day that Achley was doing pretty good.  Martinsdale some say is doing okay from shore but that was before the weather. Right now Martinsdale is two different ponds.”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194

Scott  says, “ Since Sunday night we have gotten 6 inches of snow and it is still doing it.   That makes   fishing  hard to do. When this finishes it is going to be way too wet and real muddy everywhere.

On Achley fishing has been good for fly fishermen.  Try dry flies mostly midges and the basic nymphs are also working.

The Missouri river was doing well before this. It was blowing out but now it will be way too muddy. “

Crooked Creek-Grant

Word has it a  few  walleye   are being caught at   Crooked Creek .  Mostly small   size ones.  Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

“ We have not seen many people fishing this week.  The weather has made fishing difficult because of the wind.  Those that went out said it had slowed and they were only catching on and off.  The average   has been   18 to 20   inchers  for walleye, “  Jodie says.

The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611

“  We have lots of places to fish in right now,  in the parking lot , in the road, and in the  backyards. We have gotten 5 inches of water since Sunday so   fishing   has been missing for most people.  With the weather being so bad I have not heard   of anyone fishing.  The water at Nelson of course has been low.    Launching   is very   difficult, ” Jim said.

Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen

Staff   says,”  The   Yellowstone river  from Huntley to Waco going east  has been good fishing this week. I have heard that the small mouth bass have really been hitting.   The Sauger bite has improved. Use gulp or minnows with a shiner.

On the Tongue   this weekend we heard the   crappie were really being caught. No one tells us they have caught any walleye so that   bite is slow.

On Yellowtail we are hearing the sauger  are running.

I was at the dam on Fort Peck yesterday.  Guys were catching a few walleye but nothing huge.  They were snagging salmon.  We tried a few spoons but not many caught that way.  We saw some bass being caught using a jig in 8 feet of water.  The salmon ran 14 to 22 pounds.  It was real windy. “

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Staff says, “It has been raining since Monday.  The Tabacco’s and the  Bridger mountains are now white.  The rivers have been good off and on for trout.  Trout fishing was up a little before the rain.  Fly fishers were finding trout.  Of course the river will get muddy with this rain.

Canyon Ferry fishing has been okay but the wind was up.

I am hearing that the walleye being caught are a little bigger by the fishermen.  Use cranks for trout.”

The rivers are up quite a bit.  The west branch of the Jefferson is actually flowing.  It has not done that since July.  The fly fishers are catching trout on the rivers from shore.  . Try night crawlers, and grasshoppers.

The Missouri is still pretty shallow in places.

The lake is still low.  I talked to one guy who said at White Earth it is really low.  He said you can get in with a boat but good luck turning around.”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977

Chris tells us, “It is raining up in the valley and that will change the fishing on the Yellowstone.  It is going to be muddy for a couple of days and then probably get clearer.  We won’t know for a few days of how much. pretty good.  Floating on the Yellowstone has been good before this rain.  Use streamers will  work, just pick according to the water for color.  The  black bugger or the Grinch has been working.  On the   Stillwater   fishing  is  pretty much just  wading.  The Stillwater   is low but seems to be coming up a little but   you can’t float it.   Before the rain it had a little color. Try a fat Frank hopper in the middle of the day.  Use a nymph like a copper john or pheasant tail.  We are still doing 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 lake has   turned some so it is partly off color.  The grass is breaking   loose but not too badly.  The cfs flow is the same but is a little faster and shallow.  There are few   trico hatches so they are   smaller.   The fall baetes hatch starts around 3 to 4 pm so it only lasts an hour.  Streamers are working pretty well. The grass is starting to break loose. The water level seems to be up but I think that is because of the height of the grass pushing it up.  The lower part with the rain is going to have more color , ” Beau says.

Steven Caldwell   guide  – No new report this week.

“When fishing head to the dam.  You can do well towards Wolf Creek.  At the bridge the water keeps you moving around a lot. Really stay alert.  The Canyon   is good fishing   The trico hatch seems to be done.    Try using size 26 pseudo baetes .  Nymphing is not working well.  If you try nymphs try a Hogan 5 size 16 or S & M, “ Steven explains.

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

Stephanie   says, “Like everywhere else we had rain and wind.  Fishing still has been good with the wind.  The cfs is still at 2200. There is some grass in the water. The   trico  numbers   are down.  Use more dries early in the morning and later in the day.    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 is fishing well on cloudy days with dark stonefly nymphs and small blue winged olive mayflies. Sunny days, warm, windy days you might still find fish eating Caddis dry flies and hoppers.

Yellowstone National Park

Lower elevation streams are all fishing well with the recent cooler temperatures and precipitation. The rainbow and brown trout are running upstream out of Hebgen and are being landed on peacock soft hackles, small to medium sized light colored streamers and caddis nymphs.  The Firehole River has had great caddis hatches recently and cloudy days are seeing blue winged olive mayfly hatches so dry fly fishing can be found. Don’t let your guard down, be bear aware and carry bear spray. “