Summer is here and with it comes sudden changes in weather and high water. Outdoor enthusiasts including fishermen need to pay attention to these changes. Flooding can happen quickly so fishermen or fisherwomen need to keep in touch with the weather service. Some water depths are at high June levels so everyone should stay alert. 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 including snow can come on in fierce strength very fast. 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 reports, “fishing has been good. The wind quit early in the week. . Someone caught a 4 pound small mouth bass. Fishermen are finding smallmouth bass pitching to the rock piles.
People have seen and caught lots of fish. Someone caught a 7 ½ pounder. The walleye seem to be at 30 feet.Some people were using a worm harness or minnows. Leeches are starting to work. . Go deep, like 35 feet. They are starting to bite. Fishermen are also finding smallmouth bass on the rocky points using kits jigs. People have not been targeting pike so they tend to catch them while fishing for walleye. “
We are open 7 to 9 during the week and 7 to 11 on the weekend. We do have cabins for rent. Services are available .
Tongue River Reservoir /Spencer
“ Everyone I have talked to in the past days seem to finding the crappie fishing has slowed. They describe it as slow and the cleaning station was not as busy. The bad weather and wind seems to be changing the water temperature as one day it is warmer and the next it is definitely colder. It also has been overcast. I really think the barometric pressure is a factor. The water is high and it is over the spillway. The outside temperature is 90 degrees today but tomorrow it is supposed to be 70 degrees and that is a part of this. Father’s Day was a low key day as of the weather I think. It is great fishing but catching is poor. “
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie /Warden Jordan Staley
Greg explains,” Fishing has been slow the last couple of days because of the weather. When it is hot the fishing picks up. When the temperature changes it just does not help people to catch fish. The fishing this week just was not doing as well. The fish seem to be at 8 to 30 feet depths. Lots of small mouth bass caught but again it is hit and miss with the storms. The real hard part right now is finding the fish but if you find them then yu really can catch fish, The water level is definitely high. . You can catch some bass from shore using a rapella or spinner bait.”
My hours for June are Monday through Thursday 8 to 6 pm. Friday and Saturday the hours will be 8 to 8 pm in May. Sunday will be 8 to 5 pm.”
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park personnel
Clint says, “ Walleye, bass and northern pike are all really good for fishing right now. They are finding them from Hell Creek bay to Bone Trail. They have been at 12 to 16 feet depths. All species of fish seem to be at the same depths. People are mostly using bottom bouncers or jigs.. Bass are turning up. Nice walleye are being caught, nice eater size. Some huge bass have been caught.”
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
Eddie says, “Last week in the early week the weather was wind and storms so you could not get on the water. Then on Saturday, Sunday and Monday it really picked up and was really good. They were catching lots of walleye , some nice big ones. People were getting their limits. One group I was with caught a 31 ½, 29, 27 and 25 incher. They are using mostly crawlers and leeches. Depths have varied from 12 to 35 feet. After a big wind the fish are going deep then when it calms down then they are a 12 to 35 depths or less. There have been lots of pike caught. Bass have been in the rock piles. People are heading to Hacksbe, Vear Creek and the Pines.
If you are looking for a guided trip check us out at Howes fishing. We have 4 very qualified licensed guides to serve you. We have a full line of bait, crawlers and minnows. Our hours are now7am to 7pm Sunday and Monday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday we are open 7 am to 7 pm. ”
Cooney Reservoir -Glennis, Mark is the game warden at Cooney.
“I have heard that they are catching walleye from the dam and by Fisherman’s Point. I went out yesterday and we caught 3 walleye. They were keepers. Peoples are catching. often at dusk or dawn. They are catching walleye from shore. Guys are jigging using florescent bait. I did see someone at Red Lodge Creek caring 2 fish. I don’t know anything more on that, “ Cynthia says .
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Ken says, ” there are 3 fishermen on the dock right now fishing. The fishing seems to be good. The water is full and clear. I think depending on the hat fishing will be good. “
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Pat says,” fishing has been slow. The water is still going up. They are telling us that the water will be going up the next 2 weeks. There is absolutely no beach right now. A few salmon were caught. We again had a lot of wind this week.
The fees at Deadmans have gone up. Campers with a fishing license will find the fee will be $12./ with no fishing license $18./ senior Citizens and Disabled with a fishing license will be $6. And without a license it is $12.”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “A few people have said it picked up a little. It would be decent but we again had more wind.
I did hear that by rumor they stocked Broadview pond. It is a small pond so remember there are no motorized boats allowed.
Talked to some guys who went to Crooked Creek. Thy did pretty good.They did not sound like it was hot . Talked about location was the key. Some were fishing from shore.”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
“We heard guys went out but the wind was blowing. Guys weren’t staying out. I heard this from people at Bair, Sutherland and Martinsdale. So there just was not any fishing happening,“ Judy says.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Scott says, “People are catching browns. Use a wet fly. No dry fishing right now. There are some hatches starting like the pale duns.
On the Missouri River fishing has been steady. People are catching walleye and sauger. Try for cats using crawlers.
At the western part of Crooked Creek fishing is good for walleye. At East Forchette the bass is fishing solid. Use a jig and a night crawler.
Achley has been great fishing. It is very full. It is getting better.They are finding browns and rainbow trouts. Use a rapella trolling. “
Crooked Creek Crooked Creek Marina Craig and Abby James 406-429-2999
Donny said, “ Fishig is really good. I went yesterday and got a 40 inch pike with a wom. There have been a lot of catfish caught. We have seen crappie , walleye and drums being caught. Quite a few from the bank as well. They are going towards the narrows for walleye and catfish as it is a little muddy. They are using bottom bouncers with worms and leeches. Cranks people say are not working. Off shore they are using smelt and cut bait.. ”
The Marina’s hours are Monday to Thursday 7 am to 7pm and Friday to Sunday 6am to 9pm
There is full service at the Marina with non-ethanol fuel, bait, minnows, worms, leaches and fishing lures. We also have some rods and reels. There are cabins to rent. The docks are in. We hope to be open year round.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ This week fishing has been excellent. Perch has been excellent fishing. Walleye fishing has been good. . Most walleye have been the 16 to 18 inch size. Surprisingly some big ones as well. I would say the best I have seen in 10 yeas right now. Trout fishing is good. The water is steadily coning up. The fishermen have been going toward pond 1 and 2 for walleye.
The Walleye Sunrise Tournament is this weekend. Call Carol at Townsend Marina at 266-5700 to sign up, “ Sharon tells us.
They have set up an inspection station at the landing. Every boat will be inspected when they come out of the water. It is halfway between the landing and the highway. The live well needs to be empty of water. The plug needs to be removed and the live well needs to be wiped down. We do have plenty of bait here. They are now setting up a water cleaning station up from the ramp. The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says,” Nelson is still fishing good. It is still dropping as they irrigate. Guys are catching walleye, northern pike, small mouth with bottom bouncers and worm harness’. I would say do the same things except I find I am going a little deeper to 26 feet , People are getting their limits.
At Forchette the fishing is good. People are heading to the narrows to get away from the muddy water. They are catching crappie as they are starting. They’re catching walleye . northern pike and bass as well.“
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan ,Jayce
Jayce says ,”Cooney: Cooney is doing well at night. It is better at night. Use a crank for walleye. The trout bite is also good with a worm. Lots of walleye being caught. Leeches seem to be really working.
Tongue River:On Tongue they are catching quite a few bass. It is slower people are saying. Pretty much hit and miss. I heard one guy say they did well for Monday and Tuesday and then the weather changed.
Rivers : The rivers are way too high. It is too dangerous to fish.
Fort Peck: I hear at Fort Peck fishing is strong on the west end. Rock Creek has been steady fishing. There has been wind.
Big Horn: The Big horn has been fishing well. It going down. People are buying white streamers to use there.
Canyon Ferry : Walleye fishing has been good at Canyon Ferry.
Coalstrip: At Colestrip they say bass fishing is doing well. ”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ I hear fishing is good on Fort Peck if there is no wind .
The rivers are real high and muddy rivers. Not really fishable.
I heard the fishing at Canyon Ferry has been good last week.”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Chris says, “ It is pretty much the same as last week. The Yellowstone is not safe to fish. It is blown out. The water is down just a little. The water is just too fast. I am saying it is so high I would stay away
A few guys have been able to fish fro shore on the Stillwater this weekend. It is a bit lower and clearer just be careful. “
You can book trips now for later, just call the shop. We are now in Spring hours. We are closed Monday and open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 to 5pm and open 9 to 1 pm on Sunday.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says, ” the Missouri is. fishing good. Every day it is windy. I have not seen this much wind before. It has been blowing everyday. The flow is down . There is a PMD and caddis hatch right now. So dry fly fishing is good. Try using an elk hair caddis. Use sow bugs up by the dam near Holter. The water is clearing. ”
Steven Caldwell guide,
Fishing has been better in general since flows have changed .
Dry fly fishing has been good, Try a big Amex or your favorite scud pattern nymphing trailed by a sow bug or a green machine, try a worm every now and again.
With dries try a. Midge clusters or Adams when presented will catch something.
For streamers – throw till your arm far and have fun.”
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Stephanie says, Fishing is good. The water is down to 9,000 cfs and we have been told it will stay there for the rest of the week by the Corp. Some places are renting boats now. Seeing caddis and using black caddis for them. For nymphing try sow bug, pheasant tails size 18, red worms, gray Rays, in gray and tan and a zebra. Dries are not working. Streamers are working. Try vanilla wafers, thin mints and dirty hippies.
Many fishermen are heading to the Lake where the cicada and beetles are out so use streamers. They are catching carp. If it is cloudy try the dirty hippies. Just remember for nymphs to use a lot of weight.
Call us we can give you current daily information which is important for safety. ”
Our normal hours are we are closed Sunday and Monday. We are open 9 am to 2 pm now Tuesday to Saturday.
Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
Madison
Alice says,” Fishing has been pretty good. The Madison has been high and not as good. There is not dry fly fishing. It is coming. For nymphs use stone flies as we are seeing stone fly caddis.
So the Madison out the side of the park is fishing good with nymphs when the water is dirty. Caddis and Blue winged olives have hatched on cloudy afternoons. The water is clearing.
Yellowstone National Park
Alice says, “Fishing in Yellowstone National Park is concentrated in the western part of the park on the Madison, Gibbon and Firehole rivers. I saw caddis hatching. The Firehole is seeing two species of caddis hatching most mornings and oddly enough, pale morning duns have been hatching in the afternoons. On the Gibbon caddis are hatching. Pale morning duns are working. I would repeat the park’s staff comment which is “pack your patience” as well as carry your bear spray!”
