Spring 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 can come on in fierce strength very fast. The strength and depth of ice is changing very quickly so use caution. 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, “The Crock Creek tournament had 98 boat teams. The first place team won with 58.42 pounds. The team was Gabriel and Sharrle Schlosser of Glendive. Second place won with 55.84 pounds . The winning team was Wayne Wilcox from Laurel and Zelk Gordon from Helena. All teams faught a lot of wind especially the first day. The walleye seemed to be heading deeper from 12 to 20 feet. Many headed south to McGuire Creek. The bass are really biting mostly north. They are pretty good size. The water is starting to clear up but there are still sre some mud line. Walleye are being caught on bottom bouncers . The water is really high. “
“Our hours are Sunday to Thursday 7 am to 9 pm. Friday to Sunday 7 am to 11pm. We are willing to open early or later than these hours depending on the need. We are excited to get people fishing and hear their fishing stories , Monty says.”
Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg
Raymond reports,” Not as much catching this week. We got ¾ inches this week. The lake is residing some. It is 34.29 feet right now and 68 degrees. There is no problem with any campsite and the water is muddy but starting to clear . People are catching crappies in the shallows. I heard of no one finding pike. There are more bass being caught . The people are talking about catching few walleye and they are finding them scattered . The fish cleaning station and the dump site are up and running. The boat inspection stations are running.”
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie, Greg /Warden Jordan Staley
Wade says, “ The water backed off this week. We had kids fishing day this weekend and the kids caught fish with night crawlers. It was slow fishing. They caught bass, crappie but few walleyes. The water needs to warm up more. It was also windy again and that makes it tougher. There is definitely stuff floating out there. You have to pay attention and watch for trees. The inspection station is up and checking. We now have leeches. The campgrounds below the dam are open now. ”
The Marina is now open every day. Our are 8 to 5 Monday to Thursday and Friday and Saturday 7 to 9. On Sunday we will be open from 7 to 5 pm.
Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Layne 1-406- 557-2345
Tyler says, “ was pretty good this week. it did slow down yesterday because of the storm but it seems to be picking up today again. Fishing is good for walleye. The walleye seem to be between 11 and 14 pounds. People are heading from Hell Creek to toward J marker for them, They are using bottom bouncers or jigs. The northern pike seem to be littler and they seem to b more east. Size wise they are 17 to 20 inchers. There were few bass caught. I know of one catfish caught. Chartruese, white and yellow seem to be the colors that are working. “
The Marina is open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm.
Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597
Eddie says, “ Fishing was slower this week. The storms bumping around is probably the reason. Guys are catching pike at 10 to 15 feet using cranks. The lake trout have been good jigging at 40 to 80 feet depths. They are catching 6 to 40 fish a day. The walleye are starting to pick up but so far only a few are being caught today because of the stormy weather. Use night crawlers and leaches. Try colors chartreuse, pink and black. ”
We do have minnows, suckers, fatheads, Smelt, night crawlers, hooks, floaters, full suckers, wax and meal worms and white and pink maggots here for the guys to use. Our hours are 7am-6 pm Monday through Sunday. ”
Cooney Reservoir – Marina Matheson.
Marina, “ We had to close the Marshall Cove campground as it is flooded. You can walk in to fish from shore. I hear of crappie, trout and walleye being caught. People say it is just a medium bite. They are catching from shore and boat. “
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
Guys are catching fish. Even on the rain people were out there fishing. Perch and some bass have been caught. Guys are using worms, corn and marshmallows.
Lake Josephine- We are hearing and seeing lots of dead fish on shore. There was a big winter kill there. It seems to have hit the small pan fish hard. We are hearing now that people are catching smallmouth bass when casting farther out.
There is still walk in to fishing access sites in this region right now because of flooding. There is just no predicting when that will change. Check the FWP site to see what site or changes.
Deadmans Tony Stefani
Pat explains,” We had shore fishermen here this week. They got some bites but it was very soft. So guys were frustrated. They did catch a few trout and salmon. I do not know how the boat fishermen were doing. The water is clearing up and receding. With the wind we have had it did push water into the camp sites but it is gone but we had to block some sits until the mud dries to prevent ruts from vehicles. Right now there is still very little beach. The road is good. “
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22
Terry explains,” Fishing has been slow they say. Guys haven’t even buying any worms. Guys going to Deadmans said the shore line was real muddy. The rivers are sure high.
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Rick says, “ at Sutherlan some fishermen caught a few ling. On Bair the fishing seems to depend on who you are and when you go. Out of the boat and on shore they caught a few nice fish. The streams are going down. We only got a little rain. It was definitely high water this week. The water is running over the dam. ”
Don’s Lewistown-Dale/Charlie
Charlie says, “We are in the process of closing our shop so we are transferring our report to the Sports Center. We want to thank all of our customers for their support.”
Sports Center 320 West Main Street, Lewistown, MT 535-9308 Colby / John Tognetti
“We fished Rock Creek. There was a lot of wind at times and it could be tough fishing. Everyone seemed to go south. We usd bottom bouncers with spinners. We did catch a 29 inch walleye. We got 7th overall and had a good time.
Ackley is slow fishing for trout right now. Some people are catching Muskie The water is clearer. I hear pulling cranks going 5 to 10 miles running shallow.
On the East Fork the pike are biting. Someone caught a nice 22 # pike.
On Spring Creek the water is still clearing up. The Panther is working. Guys are also nymphing.
On the Missouri at the Fred Robinson-PN the fishing is good. Try cut bait. The guys said that using a fast cast they caught walleye from 2 to 10 pounds. Bring your bug spray as the bugs ae back.
On Crooked Creek the bugs are bad bring bug spray. Guys are fishing closer to the mud line. Head towards Forchett. Go slower to catch the fish and don’t go rea deep . Use crawlers and leeches.
The little creeks are high and muddy, “ Colby says.
Crooked Creek Marina Winnett, Montana James (Slim) and Abbie Craig 406-429-2999
Abby says,” fishing was poor this week because of the storm fronts. The storm that the weather bureau sent the waning out sent us a little rain but quite a lighting show. They were catching some fish from shore. The water clears up right before Forchette. Use purple, blue, white and green jigging or bottom bouncing. There is some floating debris in the water. ”
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon reports,” Fishing is medium right now. People are catching trout. They are leaving with about 8 fish per person. They are catching some rainbow trout, perch and small walleye. It is muddy water until Hole in the wall. We will be at full pool soon. Watch for floating items in the water. Some can be quite large. The Flamingo is now open.
Don’t forget to sign up for the annual Canyon Ferry Walleye Tournament on June 23 &24th. Call Townsend Marine at 406-266-5700 and ask for Carol. “
The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
Jim says,” At Nelson they are getting a few bites. People are catching a few walleye. Try pitching a spinner bait or swim bait. Do it close to the weed line and rock piles. The walleye bite seems to be hit and miss. The water is high. The bugs are bad so bring big spay.
At Forchette fishing is still good . The walleye and northern pike bite is good using worms. Try 15 feet of water in the shallows. “
Stop by the store. We do have minnows here if you need them.
Shop hours are 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday”
Billings-Scheels Jayce, Tanner, Matt
Jayce said,” At Hell Creek some guys said they caught 3 and 4 pound smallmouth on the rocky points. They are catching some walleye.
The Yellowstone it is blown out. The water is real muddy. They are catching cats in the back channels.
The Big Horn is high. They say it is super grassy.
Yellowtail the pool is full. Fishermen are using Senkos or wacky rigging and getting 1 and 2 pound small mouth .
Tongue- The water is muddy so it is slower fishing. They say they caught a some of crappies.
Cooney-I have been told that guys are using a slip bobbers and catching fish from the boat. A bit slower fishing. .”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Rich says, “Canyon Ferry is still woody from Canyon Ferry to White Earth. There is lots of wood on top of the lake. I hear they are catching trout and walleye at 8 to 20 feet depths. The bite is off and on. Just not terrific. It is fair if you can get away from the wood. “
The rivers are really muddy right now. They are beginning to go down.
I hear Holter and Hauser are good fishing. They are catching perch. They are jigging for them. The walleye seems to be kind of less of a bite.
I talked to some guys who went to Nelson Ceek. They experienced hail and rain. The wind was horrific. They left there with $3,000 worth of damage. They got a few walleye, some nice size ones were caught. A couple 21 to 28 inch walleye. “
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill, Ken
Chris says, “ The water is muddy. It is really unsafe both on the Yellowstone and the Stillwater for fishing. Look for side tributaries. Hit the lakes and ponds right now. “
We are open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 to 5 pm,” Chris says.
Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau says, “I fished the Missouri this week. The water is coming out of Holter. It is really high and you have to really be careful. I would say if you are a novice don’t fish here right now. You really have to know what you are doing. The water temperature is coming up. It is a harder catch. Use sow bugs and San Juan worms and blue wing olives. It is all nymph fishing. ”
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375
Stephanie reports,” We got some rain. The cfs is 1, 000 now. The water is pretty grassy. For dries try midges and smoke jumpers. There is a baetis hatch in the early afternoon. Try a parachute Adams. You can try a Just buster , a cripple Thor or a student baetis. Any nymph is good to try. Use a two tone scud, carpet sow bugs , the San Juan, gray rays, zebra midges or JuJu baetis. Right now it is not streamer active. ”
Our summer hours are 8 am to 5 every day.
Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter 406-640-1698
****No report received this week.
Madison River
Alice reports, “The water is high and off color in the upper Madison. A few adult March Brown and blue winged olive mayflies have been seen on the water. Most of the fish this week were caught on nymphs. Fish are eating medium sized dark stonefly nymphs when they can see them and smaller, flashy beadhead pheasant tail nymphs. Make sure to check current conditions before you head out, flows on the Upper Madison will change drastically in the next couple weeks. There are still a few rainbows on their redds, best to leave them alone. “
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is now open .
