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.
(Report compiled by Carol Henkel)
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Linda reports, “We had a couple of guys who fished this week. They were here for 2 ½ days and decided to leave a day early. The tried it all, they tried jigging, trolling and cranks all over the place and they only caught one fish. They are experienced fishermen and said they just could not find any fish. They did have a friend that caught several northern pike at Nelson Creek, 10 miles south at the end of the week before.”
We have closed the Marina. There will be no services. 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 no fishermen that I saw this week. We are pulling the docks today. There is some ice starting on the edges now. It is only about an inch. 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
No fishermen were out this week because of the weather. The Marina is closed. Wade says, “If you do come 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
Clint says,” It is too damn cold to fish right now. The water temperature is 42 degrees right now. Anyone who caught early in the week before the weather only caught lake trout toward the dam. It also has been foggy. No ice here. Most people are hunting.”
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, “ I see fishermen catching lake trout on the water. Not much else right now. I did have one fisherman that found walleye on the main lake points. He did really good but he was the only one I heard of. We have had a lot of cold , wind and some snow this week. We only have 2 to 3 inches of snow but we do have the cold. The wind blew 20 to 30 mph.”
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, “ Cooney is mostly open. There is some ice forming at fisherman’s point. All the docks are out. I have not seen any fishermen out on the water fishing.”
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Bob reports,” Yesterday (Tuesday) there was about 20% of the water that had a skim of ice on it. Today I would say it has almost a 100 percent skim on it. The skim is firm enough it is holding some geese on it. They are walking in and out of puddles getting their feet wet. At this point there is no fishing here. “
Deadmans Tony Stefani
“ We never saw a fisherman this week. We did not even see any footprints that would mean we missed someone. The weather is just not good enough to go out there. It is just too cold , I think.”
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry says, ”No one even talked about even trying to go out fishing. I really don’t blame them I would not want to go out in the wind and cold. ”
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Judy says, “The ice is just starting. The ice is just starting to thicken at Bair. It was really cold this week. No one talked about fishing just checking on ice. ”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale 1-800-879-8194
Dale said, “ Right now about the only place to fish is at Spring Creek. It is nice and clear. Nymphs are doing extremely well right now. In this weather there has been some blue wing action.
As far as what is going on at the ponds, the ice is starting to ice up at the edges. Don’t hear from anyone fishing. We are in transition.”
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 froze as far as you can see. The ice is building. Right now it is pretty thin. We just have to wait and watch it form.“
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,” We don’t have ice yet. We did pull the docks. Right now we are between seasons. There are icy shores so trying to fish from there would be tough. We did have bad weather this week so few even tried to get out.
The inspection station at the landing has closed as of October 15.
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
Jim says,” I am hearing on Nelson ice is starting to freeze. They say it is forming in Outhouse bay. It has been real windy. “
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday
Billings-Scheels John Cooper, Dan, Matt
Jayce says ,” All I have heard is about the Yellowstone.
Yellowstone: I hear they are catching sauger using minnows on the Yellowstone. They are using cranks and jigging. People have to put up with the cold but they are catching some.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “ Here at Three Forks we got 20 ½ inches of snow. No one wants to go out so no one is fishing. I have not talked to anyone who did any fishing at Canyon Ferry. Just get your gear ready for ice fishing. ”
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill
Chris reports,“ It has been really cold. This morning there is slush on the Yellowstone for the first time this year. It has just been super cold. 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 streamer bite is not as good as it was the week before. It is still productive. The grass in the water is a little better. The weather was so cold I cancelled one trip this week. The weather has been rough. ”
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Steve said ,”We have a good report this week. It is much better than it has been for a long time. The water is at 5000 CSF so it is down a little. The water has really cleared. Dry fly fishing is really good right now. Streamers are working. It has been that way every day this week. On cloudy days after noon it has been really good fishing. If you can handle the cold it is good fishing. That is the best report in a long time. With the weather report I am looking at the weekend being good fishing and people coming out .”
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
Alice says,” Madison below Quake Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Madison River
On the Madison below Quake Lake.
Ideal weather conditions will produce hatches of midges and blue winged olives. Before and after the hatch use your stonefly patterns and smaller nymphs. Streamers will also work on nasty weather days. Leave any brown trout in spawning behavior alone, please.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is closed for the season.
