COMPILED BY Carol Henckel
Fall is on its way and with it comes sudden changes in weather and changes in water and drought fire conditions. 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. 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, fire 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.
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Linda reports, “ It has been slow not many people here. Some bass are being found at Sand Arora. One bass that I saw was huge. The biggest I have ever seen. The bite for walleye is really slow. The northern pike bite is spotty. Yesterday it seemed to improve slightly. “
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 /Spencerr Greg
Raymond reports ,” I have heard and have seen crappie caught. They are catching northern pike at the dam. They also have been catching cat fish below the dam in the river. The frog pond is half gone. At some sites you can still get to the water. The level is going down. We have had heavier winds so the water is clearer. “
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie /Warden Jordan Staley
Greg says,” The bass fishing is really good. People are catching lots of crappies. The bass have been good size. The bass are at the structures and pitch a spin bait. I have not heard of any walleye being caught this week. Crappies seem to have gone deeper to 10 to 30 feet. Trail a tube jig letting it suspend above the bottom to catch them.”
My hours 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
Clint reports, “ the bass and northern pike are deep 6 to 8 feet down. They are also finding them at 20 to 30 feet. I can’t explain it right now. For the bass use a jig in the rocks and weeds. You can pitch a spoon with a crank using the top water. Walleye are scattered. You can find them from 14 to 30 feet. It is not a run away for them. Use a bottom bouncer for walleye.”
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, “The salmon bite is real slow. They just are not biting this week. You might catch one here or there. Lake trout are being found in depths of 90 to 125 feet if you find them. Walleye are hit and miss. Mostly in the main water. Use a slow death and crawler. Sometimes cranks work.”
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.
“ Fire restriction is Stage II which means no campfires. The reservoir is lowering. I have seen people mostly perch and some rainbow trout. Powerbait and worms are what they are using. . There is some algae along the edges. “ Mark says .
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob reports,” At the Big Horn the After Bay is lowered for the Army Corp so it has almost no water in it. The Corp is doing maintenance.
The department is pretty much done stocking for the season.
Deadmans is low and they are moving the dock.
At Lake Elmo there are a lot of people out fishing. They are here daily so they must be having some success. “
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Pat says,” Not much fishing going on this week. Just not many people here. We are pulling the dock today as the water has dropped. The water is so low it is almost to the bottom of the ramp. You can get a boat on with the ramp. Smoke is definitely a factor. We have had lots in the last two days. Remember that we are in fire Stage II . There are no fires allowed. “
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, “ I heard fishing at Martinsdale from shore was really good this week. The fish were 3 to 5 pounds using colored marshmallows. They just keep changing the color. The guys said fishing was fantastic when they went this week, ”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Judy says, “ I heard guys did real well at Martinsdale and Bair this week. They were using powerbait and worms. The water was low they said.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie said, “ Spring Creek is fishing well. The water is clear. Dries and nymphs are working . Pretty much any pattern is working.
Achley : Achley is pretty mossy.
On the Westend of Fort Peck Crooked Creek fishing is working and they are catching some. They are catching walleye. With the nights cooling off the fishing should get a lot better. They were using jigs and bottom bouncers at varying depths. “
Crooked Creek Crooked Creek Marina Craig and Abby James 406-429-2999
Carrie says, “ It is still good fishing. Pike have been on the Big side. Lots of big ones are being caught. You will find them in the weed beds at 20 to 25 feet. People are catching pike, perch. and crappie and even some cats off the banks. “
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. We hope to be open year round.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“ Sharon says,” Fishing has been good. There have been lots of perch caught. There is still good walleye fishing going on. Mostly in the 12 to 16 inch size. It is working from shore and from boat.
The Flamingo is closed but we moved the sandwiches to the Marina and have a little deli there that we can serve people from. “
There continues to be 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,” I have not heard a word about Forchette.
At Nelson people are catching fish on jigs and minnows. Use a bottom bouncer for walleye. Go to depths of 35 to 10 feet. The fish are scattered so the depths change hourly or daily. ”
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday
Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan
Matt Cowen says ,”it has been pretty quiet for fishing reports for any specific reports this week.
At Cooney I have heard of a few guys catching some fish. They use cranks going 2 ½ mph.
The rivers are low I hear.
They say the Yellowstone is starting to fish better for sauger , walleye and bass east of Billings.
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Unable to contact this week.
Rich says, “ I have heard of some lousy fishing from fishermen, On the rivers people are saying there is not much catching happening. The FWP lifted the Hoot hour on the Jefferson and Gallatin but not on the Madison. Keep checking on the FWP for changes. I also heard from one guy who went fishing by Jordan who marked a lot of fish deep but could not catch any. They just would not bite.”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 , Bill, Jasmine
Bill reports,“ The Stillwater is fishing okay. It is rising.. The upper half is coming back. Not much in hatches right now. Try small dries. Try a purple haze, Parachute Adams, a Sparkle or a Pupa trailer fly. For nymphs try using large flies keying off of hoppers or large ones.
On the Yellowstone try using beadhead, prince hair, hairs ear, pheasant tail, flashback, rubber lake prince and batman. ”
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says,” fishing is okay. The tricot hatch is less in the morning. Fishing after that is worse. It is slow fishing right now. After that hoppers may work. Nymphs are better some days and not another. Streamers are working as well. Try a sow bug or a San Juan worm. The grass is high and is breaking loose. The after bay is way down as they are doing some work. ”
Steven Caldwell guide,
Unable to contact
Steven says,” Put the nymphs away unless you go to the dam. Try and throw dries.
Better yourself…throw at a rising fish .
And get to the Missouri to fish.
Try a fly that is dead drifted. Drop it in. Reach cast, feed the line with no drag and set the hook and repeat.
And again get out early during the heat. Make sure you stay hydrated. Heat exhaustion or heat stoke are bad and once you experience it can return easier. , Treat the fish with care. If they come unhooked before the net that’s a bonus! Keep em wet.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Stephanie said ,” The water is at 3200 cfs. There are tricots hatching in the morning between 5:30 to 10:30 am . There are not many caddis found. There is no fishing at the dam afterbay right now. The Army Corp according to an email is doing “full gate travel testing. This is routine maintenance and updating psat monitoring equipment. The work should be completed by the end of the week and the water they hope will be returning by the weekend. “ The water in the river is still fine. There is grass still. Just use nymphs with less weight. It is more at the edges. Use a dun size 20 or a spinner at 22. The fishing is good.
For nymph fishing It seems to not be doing as well because of the grass. . You could try a gray Ray Charles size 18, soft tackle ,orange sow bug, zebra midge, black PT or San Juan worm. Use a black caddis as it works.
Streamer fishing is still good. Try a vanilla wafer or a dirty hippy. A pseudo spinner size 18 is also working. ”
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,” Madison below Quake Lake,
Madison River
The Madison below the quake has blue winged olives and some caddis are hatching. Fish were eating hoppers in the warm sun.
Cold temperatures should bring more bug activity.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park fish will eat hoppers until it snows. Madison and the Firehole are starting to fish with much cooler temperatures in the forecast.
Caddis are hatching on the Firehole
