Central to Eastern MT Fishing Report 10.24.18
By angelamontana

Posted: October 25, 2018

Autumn is here and that means sudden changes in weather and 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. The fire season is still on us so it means we all need to be alert to be alerts and conditions.    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 in with fierce strength.  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- Monty LeTexier , Wyatt  For winter call 1-406-230-1283  for Linda

Marina number is less reliable in winter.  1-406-485-2560

Linda says, “We had fishermen this week.  We had really nice weather for the last three days. The water was 51 degrees.  The people who went out got little bites. They were using crawdad colors but the bite was pretty slow. The docks are pulled. “

We have closed the Marina as of October 1st. We still have limited services.  Linda and Neal will still be at Rock Creek.  We still have cabins for rent.  Call this number 1-406-230-1283 .  The  Marina number  will probably not bring much result. With the other number  Linda or Neal will help you.  If you call and come up we can provide food.  Speak to Linda about that.  The fuel docks are pulled but we do have fuel by the Marina should you need it.

The season is winding down and I want to say that I feel so blessed that the patrons that left have come back. Everyone has been so good.  The customers that were regulars at the campground really helped.  I want to especially thank Tanya Leppelid and Michelle Gibbs.  They helped Linda so I could go to my son, Trase play on the Grizzly football team.  I really appreciated that.  I also want to thank Neal and Linda Willnitz for making this year possible.  They helped so much, “Monty says.

Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg

Raymond says,” The weather is beautiful right now.  The water temperature is 49 degrees.  There were a fair amount of fishermen here this week.   There are boats out there now.  The water level is holding steady.  There were a few bass fishermen that came out.  They did catch a bunch of small mouth.  Some people caught a 36 inch northern pike. They also caught one perch.  That group caught 25 to 30 crappies.

 There are no reservations needed for camp sites it is now first come first take. Everything is shut down like the electricity and water.  The cleaning station has been closed.  There are sites still open at Campers Point #1 to 11 and have electric hookups on year round.   “    .

Tongue River Marina  1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie, Greg /Warden Jordan Staley

Wade   says, “I had a friend who went up on Saturday and Sunday.  The weather was beautiful.  There were   boats out that day fishing.  H caught a nice northern pike.  He caught 20 crappies jigging with a worm in 5 to 10 feet of water.  The water should be decent all week so come on down and go do it and go fishing.     The docks are still in so you could hit the autumn   fishing which can be good”

 We have now closed the Marina until there is a need   during ice fishing season.  Our   hours have changed.  We are now closed

 Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Layne 1-406- 557-2345

Clint says,” Guys are catching northern pike.  They were finding them in 3 to 14 feet depths using spoons.  They are using a red and white or 5 of diamond spoon.  Only a few bass were caught.     The fishing for walleye   this week was tough. “

The Marina is open 7 days a week, 7 am to 6 pm.  ­­­­­­­

Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt 1-406-526-3597

Carrie   says, “The lake trout fishing has been awesome and phenomenal! We actually were full with fishermen.  Not many hunters up here right now.

The lake trout have moved   to the shallows to 30 feet.  Spoons are working   with banana weights.    Walleye fishing is really slow. They are going to depths of 30 feet with cranks.  Northern pike is also a slow bite right now. ”

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. Shauni, Cynthia

Marina   reports, “We had quite a few people fishing this week. People were saying they were catching perch and some nice ones at 12 inchers.  The water is consistently going down slowly.   The fish cleaning station is still open but I hear not much activity there.   The algae are gone.  The campground is now first come first serve now as the reservation system is done taking them for the season. The boat ramps are out.  The Marshall Cove campground is now open. The drinking water has been shut down for the winter.  Our electric is on year around.  The North shore campground is now closed. “

Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson

Bob says,” There is no one on the water right now. There were not many guys out fishing probably because of hunting season happening.  It is gorgeous out there and the ducks and geese are definitely on the water. We have had some wind this week as well. The lake level is still full.  I know the ditch has been shut down now.”

Just an aside Bob wants to remind people coming in for the apprentice program for hunting you have to bring the child’s birthday and social security number.  You can only sign up for that at the FWP Elmo office.”

 The Indian Fort Access at Reed point is closed the rest of the season

 The department is working on a plan to put stability in the area and then hopefully they can get stated on that next summer some time. It is restricted to walk in only.  There has been some damage to the road which has narrowed the road and is dangerous.  That has be repaired,” Bob explains

 Deadmans Tony Stefani/ Pat

“We only have one   boat this week.  They did take the dock out.   We did not hear any report from anyone that they caught anything.  Lots of wind and some snow this week,” Pat tells us.

 Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-22

 Terry says “I   sold night crawlers to fishermen this week. They headed to Martinsdale but they never came back to tell me how they did.  The weather was really   nice this week.”

Checkerboard Inn   Checkerboard, MT   Rick and Judy Geordge  406-572-3373

 Rick says, “It was really a nice week.  The weather was real nice.  I heard some people headed to Bair.  They found the fishing fair.  They got their limit in short order.  A small group of people headed to Martinsdale and it was pretty slow. Not many trout caught.”

Sports Center 120 2nd Ave South  Lewistown, MT   535-9308  Colby / John Tognetti

Our hours are 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 4pm on Sunday.”

 Colby reports, “I only heard a little bit on fishing this week. We saw more hunters than fishermen come in.

 On the Missouri river   people are catching some walleye and sauger.  The water is mostly clear. . It is mossy in some places.  They are using live minnows or plastic with a jig.

On Achley with the warmer weather   guys are trying for trout.  Not any news how they did.

At Spring Creek guys have not been out for fly fishing. The spin fishermen were having good luck with Mepps and Panther Martins. They were catching a few.”

 Crooked Creek Marina Winnett, Montana   James  (Slim) and Abbie Craig, Carri Craig   406-429-2999

Carri  explains,” The water is turned over.  The other factor is the full moon will be out on Wednesday night.  You know what they say about fishing three days before and after the full moon fishing tends to be poor.  It has been slow fishing.  The water is cloudy and mossy.  The boats that went out caught a few walleye at 20 to 30 feet. The bite is really, really light and unless you really are alert you don’t catch any. Most were heading to Lost Creek.  .  They used a bottom bouncer.  A   few pike were caught.  Our docks are still in.  the hunters had good luck this week with 3 cows and one small bull. ”

Carri explains,”Some people have said they have trouble getting us. This is our time to get things done outside before winter hits so we may not be sitting next to the phone.  Please leave a message as we will call you back.  We will make sure you hear from us. ”

 Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon

  Sharon   reports,” Actually, fishing has not been bad. Trout fishing was really good this week.  Some walleye have been caught.  Guys are catching nice perch as well this week.  the algae seem to be gone. “

The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm.

The Flamingo has closed for the season.

West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611  

Jim   reports,” On Nelson people are catching lots of walleye   using minnows.   They are going 20   to 30 feet.  It is good fishing right now.  They are using jigging wraps and minnows with bottom bouncers.  The perch are also biting.  They are also at depths of 20 to 30 feet. The perch size has been 9 to 11 inches.

On Forchette this week I hear they are catching walleyes.  They are using jigs and catching some nice ones.  Some northerns are being found off of the points.  ”

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   reports, “On the Yellowstone around Forsyte and Hysham guys were still catching sauger, and walleye.  They are using jigs with minnows.  The boats were doing well but the shore fishing is slower.

On Yellowtail they are catching sauger. Mostly on the south end the bite is good.   Only a few people were catching walleye.

People are saying the fishing for lake trout is really good up at Fort Peck dam.  Lots are being caught.

We have put out   the ice fishing products.  Come check out   our shelves. The weather is changing and Ice fishing   is coming soon. ”

Rich’s Tackle Richard  406-285-4540

Rich says,” At Canyon Ferry people have said they are not catching a lot of walleye but some nice 20 inches and 17 inchers.  The weather was pretty nice so that helped.   Not as much wind as the week before.  I had people who headed to the Madison to fly fish but I never heard how they did. ”

Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill, Ken, Jasmine

Chris says, “Things are about the same even with the weather getting warmer.  The Yellowstone was fishing okay.  Use streamers.   No particular streamer at this time.  A few people are using dries and have caught some fish on a blue wing.   There is a hatch at about 1 to 2 pm.  out there.

 The Stillwater is very   low.  I have not heard of anyone wading or walking to fish. ”

  The Indian Fort is still closed.

We are   open Monday to Sunday from 9 to 5 pm.”

 Montana Adventures and Angling in Fort Smith  Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612

Beau says,” I was on the Missouri this week.  The Missouri is fishing really well.  Nymph fishing is working well.  Use a Zebra midge.  There is a pseudo hatch and baetes hatch coming out around neon time.  For those that don’t know a pseudo hatch is made up of very tiny   cream colored mayflies. There is also   a caddis hatch later in the afternoon.  The water is crystal clear.  I floated from Holter to Pelican so dry fly fishing is good right now.  “

Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375

 Rich says,” The cfs is now at 3,000.  The water temperature is 54 to 58 degrees.  The fishing is still very, very slow.   Try nymphing that is what is the most successful.   The river has turned over.   There is a lot of grass now.  The water is murky   with silt.

With the warm temperature   this week walk ins are welcome so come in and go fishing.  ”

Our hours   are   8 am to 5 every day.

Riverside Anglers in West Yellowstone : Alice Owsley, fishing guide and outfitter  406-640-1698.

Fishes Madison River and Yellowstone National Park waters

Madison

Cloudy afternoons have seen better hatches of blue winged olive mayflies but fish are still looking for them in any light. Nymph fishing is quite good until the water warms up. Streamer fishing is good most days, pick your favorite pattern and stick with it.

Yellowstone Park

Rainbow and brown trout continue to move upstream from Hebgen Lake into the Madison River drainage. They are willing to eat swung soft hackles and streamers with regularity. Blue wings olive mayflies are hatching on the Firehole River most afternoons and the fishing has been good. Higher elevation streams in the park fish well on the warmer afternoons. Please be courteous to your fellow angler, wear vibram and carry your bear spray.  Check current road and weather conditions this time of year before heading into the park.

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