Report compiled by Carol Henckel

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.

Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
“Bill says,” There have been no fishermen this week. According to Lake Ridge the lake trout are still biting on the water. In talking to them, guys are using spoons to catch them. I will be heading out with a friend today and tomorrow to fish so I will have more of a report next week. 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
Bob says,” There are not many fishermen out there. I talked to a few fishermen who fished and caught a couple of crappies. There is weather coming and we even have storm warning so things will be changing I am sure fishing wise this next week. The fish cleaning station is now closed. We now have only camper points 1 to 8 to the north and 9 to 11 open. The camp sites are now first come first serve. The water is down but fishing is still possible. ”

Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade Stephanie /Warden Jordan Staley
Wade said,” I was up there yesterday and there were a few fishermen out there. I did not hear whether they were catching. We have a forecast of 9 inches of snow so fishing conditions will definitely change. There is less water but you can get a boat in. The marina is closed but we will be ready when ice fishing gets going,”

Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir east to
Clint reports, “ We have had a few fishermen here this week. The northern pike are still biting. The pike are at 3 to 5 feet in the weeds. Lake trout are being found at 15 to 25 feet. They are heading from Crooked Creek to Hacksbee. Some decent size fish are being caught. The bass are also being found by the sunken islands at the pines. Go 8 to 10 feet down using jigs. Guys are catching a few walleye being caught. Guys have caught a few hand full of walleye towards Timber Creek. The fall winter bite is a month late. 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, ” There are still lake trout being caught. Less anglers out here this week more are hunting right now. The water temp is 50 degrees now . Some walleye are being caught with a jig and a minnow. I saw some nice looking walleye even a 30 “ but definitely the guys are not getting limits. That fishing is slow.. I did hear a few notherns being caught at the face of the dam. The weather has been nice.“

Cooney Reservoir -Glennis
I would like to welcome Mark Teynor as game warden at Cooney. Please make him feel welcome when you see him around. He will be helping Glennis with the inner workings of Cooney State Park waters. Mark reports, “I am hearing that people are catching rainbow trout. I did not hear of any walleyes being caught. They are using power bait, marshmallows and night crawlers. This weekend there were 12 boats out there fishing. Shore fishermen are also fishing from shore . ” The water is up. The docks have been pulled. The Marshall launch is closed. “
The new Park Ranger is, Skylar Mitchell.

Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says, “ It has been very quiet her. The few fishermen are catching a few salmon. Mostly from shore. They are small, 1 to 1 ½ pounds. ”

Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “ I did hear of some people heading to Martinsdale and fishing was not good. The group loves to fish and know the water but they did not catch anything. So they headed to Sutherland and caught a few fish. They got a half a dozen rainbow trout and one ling. They tried but it wasn’t their weekend at Martinsdale.”

Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
You can still see that the Missouri river is mossy. Not a whole lot of fishing going on.
Crooked Creek fishing has been slow. It has not turned so it is slow fishing.
Spring Creek is low and clear. Fishing is slow. Use the standard fall fishing tackle. Try the small spinners in silver, blue and gold.
On Achley guys are fishing for tiger muskies with a fly rod. Use flashy flies with wooly buggers and white marabous.

Crooked Creek-Grant
Lake trout fishing at Crooked Creek is slow but is still happening. Please Call for information. The number is 1-406-429-2999.

Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ If fishermen went out they were doing well. Some nice perch are being caught. The weather has been 60%. There are a few walleye also being caught. To catch fish you just have to get out there. There is enough water to launch here by Silos. The water is 3 to 3 ½ feet out of the bay, “ Sharon says.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“They are still catching at Nelson . Try fishing with jigs and a minnow to catch sauger. Walleye and perch have been productive. The water has come up some. I have heard Forchette fishing is hit and miss. Some say it is spotty. At Fort Peck I hear they are finding some lake trout ,” Jim said.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Billings-Scheels Dan , McCahen
McCahen says,” On the Yellowstone guys have been catching cats and sauger with a minnow and a jig. . The water temp has dropped.
At Yellowtail The sauger are still biting. The guys are using a minnow and a jig and are catching some decent fish.
I have heard a few guys are catching some walleye at Cooney.

Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ I haven’t heard much on fishing this week. No news on Canyon Ferry fishing. The rivers seems to be up quite a bit and clearer. The Gallatin River is up and doesn’t look like a creek anymore. The weather is changing and that will alter things. “

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Bill says, ” Chris and I were on the Yellowstone the other day. We had rain last night so in a couple of days the water may cloud up. The water is clear now . We used nymphs, girdle bug to catch fish. Put the small nymph 3 feet from the bobber or indicator. It was all right fishing. I caught a real nice rainbow and a white fish on a prince. The Stillwater is up. I am still booking 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
“Not much has changed this week. The river is still off color and grassy.. It has a lot of grass breaking off . The browns are anxious to spawn. There is some decent fishing if you are willing to work for the fish,” Beau says.

Steven Caldwell guide * Unable to contact. No new report this week.
“ 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
Collette says, “ The cfs is 2750 right now. The water is grassy and murky. The water temp is still 59 degrees. Dries are not working. Nymphs are what is working. Try using dirty hippies or thin mints. There has been no wind. The water clarity seems to be improving every day. “ Our shop hours have changed. We are closed Sunday and Monday. We are open 9 am to 2 pm now Tuesday to Saturday in November.

Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
Madison
Alice says,” On the upper Madison if you’re going to streamer fish pick your favorites. Be confident and keep fishing. The nymph fishing has also been productive but it’s about using pretty small flies this time of year. Use lots of midges and blue winged olive mayflies in sizes 18 and 20s.
I would remind folks to stay off the brown trout redds in the shallower water,.“

Yellowstone National Park

Alice says, “ Fishing in the park is now closed for the season.”