Fall is here and with it comes sudden changes in weather and changes in water conditions. Outdoor enthusiasts including fishermen need to pay attention to these changes. Storms 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.
(Compiled by Carol Henckel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Linda reports, “We have had no fishermen here we have water and I see no ice forming. Actually this week there was only a little wind . It has been warming up. The snow has melted. The temperature the last couple of days was 52 and 50 degrees.”
We do have some clothing, oil and some tackle for sale but bring your own bait if you are coming. The docks have been pulled. We will have some fuel if you can find someone to help you with it. There will be people here when ice fishing starts.
Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg
Raymond said,” We had a few fishermen in boats this week. The docks are pulled. There is some ice starting on the south end. It is very thin. We have had some 50 degree days but it is always below freezing overnight. We just have to wait and see what the weather does this next week. “
Some of the campgrounds have been shut down of electricity. Campers point north has electricity. That is the camp site closest to the marina. The cleaning station is closed. The water is turned off. There is no water at the dump site and in the campgrounds. The boat inspection site is closed.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie, Greg /Warden Jordan Staley
Wade says, ”The Marina is closed right now. As soon as there is safe ice we will be open weekends but not yet. There is no ice yet here. This year there will be no vending machine for minnows. When we do open we will sell them. Then you can see our happy faces again. If you do come right now bring your own worms as there will not be any here right now with the marina being closed. There will be no fuel available. “
Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Tyler 1-406- 557-2345 Marina Matheson-Park personnel
The water temperature is 42 degrees right now. Only a few northern pike caught. It is pretty good for lakers. We are pulling docks today. I left the field dock in. ”
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, “ It has warmed up nicely. We have had 45 degree temperatures this week. There are fishermen catching lake trout. The lake trout are staying shallow. They are the smaller ones though. It has been foggy some days but if you can go toward Duck Creek you might catch a few walleye.”
Our hours are 6am-8pm Monday through Saturday, 6 am to 7 pm on Sunday. ”
Cooney Reservoir – Mark is the game warden at Cooney.
Aaron reports, “There is a skim of ice up to Fisherman’s Point. It does go down to the inlet side. It is less than an inch. I did talk to a fisherman that caught a nice 4 pound trout but he fished a while for that. He said the bite is really slow. We have no snow right now.”
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob reports,”There is a skim of ice on Elmo. The skim is firm enough it is holding some geese on it. No one is fishing right now. “
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Pat says, “We only had one fisherman visitor this week. No one has caught anything that we know of. There is no ice and there is snow on the road that is melting making some mud. ”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says,”No one has said they went fishing. No one is even trying to go out fishing. They are waiting for ice. ”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Judy says, “There is a skim of ice just starting on Bair. No one is fishing just checking on ice. The guys are getting ready for ice fishing.”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Charlie said, “Everywhere around here has a skim of ice on it. Not enough to fish on yet. Right now about the only place to fish is at Spring Creek. It is nice and clear. Try a red steel or different bead heads. They are working.”
Crooked Creek Marina Winnett, Montana James (Slim) and Abbie Craig 406-429-2999
James says, “We have seen no fishermen this week. The bay is half froze as far as you can see. Right now it is pretty thin. I did pull the docks. The temperature today is 50 degrees. I won’t have minnows here this winter. We have seen a lot of hunters right now. “
The Marina’s hours are Monday to Sunday 7 am to 7pm
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,” In the last week and a half we have had two boats out on the water. They have caught miscellaneous trout. It has been warm and windy. No ice anywhere. We did pull the docks. Right now we are between seasons. “
The inspection station at the landing has closed.
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm. We still are making and selling sandwiches at the Marina.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Don says,” I hear on Nelson on the south end the ice is 3 to 4 inches. You can walk on it and some are. I am not that daring but some are. Some have said the main lake is also freezing. It has been windy. We do have minnows here if guys need them. “
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday
Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan, Matt
Jayce says,” Some people have said they caught a few nice trout on Cooney this week. The guys were using fake minnows.
Big Horn: One fellow was catching some trout but they had to work at it. Some other guys were at the After Bay using cranks. They caught some nice brown trout.
Yellowstone: I heard the week before that they were catching sauger using minnows on the Yellowstone. They are using cranks and jigging. I have not heard anything this week.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “I have talked to guys that were heading to Canyon Ferry. Never head how they did though. Most guys are just getting their gear ready for ice fishing. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill
Chris reports,“ It has been really cold. There is slush on the Yellowstone right now. With the wind and the cold not many people are going out. You can fish but watch the weather conditions for fishing from shore. If you do brave the weather try streamers.”
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says,” There was a good blue wing hatch this week. The dry flies have worked best this week for my guy. The grass in the water is pretty much gone. You can catch some fish. ”
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Collette said,” The water is at 4500 CSF so it is down a little. The water clarity has been good. It is not clear. Streamers are working. Use the darker colors like dark gray and dark brown. Wooly buggers, dirty hippies and thin mints are working some.
Right now the float is better than wading. The grass is mostly gone. It is definitely water for the skilled fisherman.”
We are open 8 am to noon now all week.
Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
Madison River
Alice says,” On the Madison below Quake Lake the warmer weather conditions have made more bug activity. You can see hatches of midges and blue winged olives. Before and after the hatch use your stonefly patterns and smaller nymphs. Watch the weather to know when to use streamers. They work on bad weather days. Leave any brown trout in spawning behavior alone, please.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is closed for the season.
