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
Monty reports, “Bass are hitting. Fishing has been very good for them. The bass are hitting when you go 1.5 mph trolling using a green or orange jig. They seem to be at 10 to 15 feet depths. The walleye have hit pretty good. Someone caught a 30 incher that weighed 7.75 pounds. Use a worm harness or minnows at depths of 18 to 25 feet. Northern pike always are biting. The water is clear. The wind has been low this week. “
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
“ The fish cleaning station is broken so telling how the fishing has been a little harder to tell. I have heard fishing is good for people. We had a fair amount of wind with the weather being cool one day and warm the next. People are telling me that fishing is not on fire but you can catch some. I went this week one day and we only caught 1 perch and a crappie. 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, Spencer says. “
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie /Warden Jordan Staley
Fletcher explains,” Fishing has been decent. I have seen every species being caught. Some are jigging and a few have used a few cranks for walleyes at 8 to 15 feet depths. Crappies seem to be at 20 to 25 feet depths. Sometimes the walleye are at 5 feet surprisingly where people are fishing for northern pike. Because the fillet station is not working I don’t have as easy a time seeing what people are getting. I do know that hot pink and chartreuse jigs are working. Leeches must be working because people are ordering a lot of them this week.”
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.”
Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Tyler 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park personnel
Tyler says, “ Fishing has been slow. The winds have turned over the water. We sre on our 5th day of that so things are about ready to get better. I think it is working on picking up. A couple of fishermen were here for and they got 2 to 3 keepers after a full day of fishing. The water temperature is 58 to 62 degrees and today is beautiful. So I think it will be turning around.”
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, “ They were catching some walleye. They are using crawlers and leeches to catch them. The guys I talked to were coming in with 1 or 2 walleye keepers for a whole day. The lake trout right now are hot. They are ridiculous. Use flashers or flies or spoons and are all going to catch something. Use a dare devil or a red eye in gold or silver. They are using mostly crawlers and leeches. Depths have varied from 12 to 35 feet. They are catching their limit. Some have been 4 pounds to 15 pounds in size. I had one group that caught 35 fish in 4 hours time. Water temperature at the face of the dam is 61 degrees and 62 degrees at Hacksbee. People are heading to Hacksbee for the lake trout.
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 now 7am 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.
They are catching walleye from the dam and Fisherman’s Point. A few walleye are caught during the day but peoples are catching. often at dusk or dawn. We did notice the Marshall Cove area the water is up some. They are also catching walleye from shore. Guys are jigging using florescent bait. You can build a fire in fire rings there is no restriction on that. Of course no fireworks allowed,“ Cynthia says .
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
People are fishing from the dock right now and catching. The fishing seems to be decent. The water is full and clear. People are enjoying the water as well. “
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Tony says,” fishing has been picking up. The water is still going down. A few salmon and trout were caught from shore. There were some strong winds this week. There were lots of people here this weekend .It was crowded with lots of recreational boaters.”
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, “The guys I talked to had been to Martinsdale and Deadman and found fishing real slow. They said they really worked at it but only got 2 fish for 2 to 3 days. These guys are really consistent good fishermen. They said they just could not figure out why it was so slow. Another day they went to Martinsdale and got blown off the water so they came back here to tell me.”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
“The only people we talked to were going to Bair. They have said fishing was okay and they caught a few fish . No one else headed to Sutherland or Martinsdale that we talked to,“ Judy says.
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale says, “Spring Creek is fishing well. It is a bit off color. Use dries and nymphs as they are working.
On the Missouri River cat fishing is good right now. Fish are being caught from the PN down. Use night crawlers or cutbait .
At Fort Peck on the west end fishing is doing well. People said this week that bottom bouncers were working well with walleye. 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 pretty darn good fishing. Fishing has been very consistent. It is very full. They are catching browns and rainbow trout. “
Crooked Creek Crooked Creek Marina Craig and Abby James 406-429-2999
Carrie say, “ Fishing has picked up. It is awesome right now. We have seen a 6 , 8 and 4 pounder that were caught. They are catching it all, crappie, perch, walleye and northern pike People are not having to go out very far to catch fish. We have had some lightening and after that the fish seem to run and hide for a little while but not for long. Then they are back being caught. Use a bottom bouncer with worms or leeches.”
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
“ Our tournament had a good turnout. It was tough fishing but they found the walleyes. The big walleye was 33 ½ inches. The winning accumulated weight was 37.5 pounds. They found a lot of small ones. Small meaning 13 to 16 inchers. Fishing is good just not the big big ones. Trout fishing is good. The water is steadily coning up. The fishermen have been going toward pond 1 and 2 for walleye,“ 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 continues to be good fishing. The lake has dropped. They are pulling water out for irrigation. I would suggest larger vessels start to use the ramp by the headgates. You can still put in at the State Park but it is difficult if you are a large boat because of the slant of the ramp.
The fishermen are catching walleye, some large perch , small mouth bass. They are finding northern pike in the bay and weeds. Ry a bottom bouncer or a crank for walleye. Both seem to be working. I would say do the same things except I find I am going a little deeper to 26 feet.
At Forchette people are catching lots of small mouth toward Timber Creek. Guys are heading that direction to get out from the murky water. People are getting their limits..“
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
Chris says, “ People are fishing on the Stillwater a little. It is still pretty high. Chubbies are working. Try a rubber leg on the edges. You can wade in a few places. For streamers try black or gray buggers should work. Just be careful. The Yellowstone is not safe to fish yet but it is getting better.. It is off color. The water is down just a little. The water is just too fast.“
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says, ” the water is coming down on the Missouri . It is at 7,100 cfs. The water temperature is 60 degrees. The fishing is good. There is a PMD hatch in the morning and a few caddis hatching in the evening. So nymphs like a PMD pattern or caddis or something that looks like a crawdad. Fishing is good. Try using an elk hair caddis. The water is clear. ”
Steven Caldwell guide:
Steven says,” With nymphing some are doing well some are not. Czechs, sow bugs trailed by a PMD nymph short and deep should work. If it doesn’t change. There is no magic recipe right now.
Dries- PMDS are out in force during mid -morning through early afternoon. Fish are up and rising. The dry fly fishing is as good as you are, Don’t get caught up on what fly you’re using, focus more on presentation. Late afternoons the caddis pop meaning decent evening fishing. Again still, it had to be perfect!Streamers-Throw them now before the moss comes.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Hale says,” Fishing is about the same. It is good. The water is down to 9,000 cfs. Some places are renting boats now. We are seeing black caddis atches coming onWe are also seeing a few tricots. Use some may fly nymphs. . For nymphing try sow bug, pheasant tails size 18, red worms, gray Rays, in gray and tan and a zebra. Try vanilla wafers, thin mints and dirty hippies. Right now streamers are working fair to good. Water clarity is greenish. Visibility is fair.”
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 no dry fly fishing. For nymphs use stone flies as we are seeing stone fly caddis.
So the Madison out the side of the park is fishing well 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!”
