Winter is here and that can bring unusual weather and sudden changes in weather temperatures, wind and water which means everyone needs to be vigilant when being outside. Outdoor enthusiasts, including fishermen need to pay attention to these changes. Surprise storms of snow and dangerous fire can happen quickly, so fishermen or fisherwomen need to keep in touch with the weather service and let others know where they are for safety sake when out and about. Enjoy yourself but remember alcohol alters your judgment. So, use it sparingly while enjoying the outdoors. Keep an eye on the weather as conditions 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
Tongue River Reservoir Raymond /Spencer/ Greg
Raymond states,” fishing was not bad this week. The water is breaking away from the shore. In some places it is 3 to 4 feet from shore. It is definitely walk on only. We had 2 campers. One person caught perch at Sandpoint, and another caught northern pike at Rattlesnake. I did hear of a few crappie, and perch caught. The ice in places is changing and has a gray color. I anticipate the ice will start to melt with the warm temperatures. Please use caution on the ice. The water level has raised one foot in one week.
Don’t forget that you have to get a new fishing license after March 1st. We suggest you get it on-line, so you don’t have to wait in long lines because of social distancing. ”
Campers point 1 to 11 have electricity year around. The fish cleaning station is now closed.
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Wade, Stephanie, Greg
Wade said,” We decided we are closing the marina until regular season starts as of today. We want to thank everyone for their support. We really appreciated your business.
The warmer weather I believe will have an impact on the ice. There is ice, but it has opened on some edges and conditions will change pretty quickly. I expect fishing will change with the change of weather. Please use caution. “
Rock Creek Marina- Monty LeTexier , Wyatt /1-406-230-1283 for Linda & Neil Marina number is 1-406-485-2560
Linda said, ”we had lots of fishermen this past week especially on the weekend and now. The cabins were full. Everyone was catching fish. The bay has 19 inches of ice. The edges are still intact today (Tuesday) . Some have been searching for the trout run. Guys found some nice trout. I know a couple of guys caught two northern pike and one fellow was spearing and getting pike. The temperatures have been 26 degrees in the day and below freezing at night. I see four ice houses out there and lots of drilled holes. There are pressure ridges you have to watch for as well. Call if you need to know conditions. ”
We have closed the marina for the season, but fishing can still happen. We just won’t have any services. For reservations for the ice fishing season call Linda at 406-230-1283.
To make reservations for next year , please call Monty at 406-465-0241.
Hell Creek Marina- Clint Thomas-Layne-Kaylor 1-406- 557-2345
Clint reported ,” it is walk on only now. Some places may be tip toe footing as the weather warms. I have pulled side-by-sides out of the water at Nelson, McGuire and two out of Duck Creek. The drivers were all lucky. The ice conditions are definitely changing in places. The fishing conditions at Hell Creek has not changed a lot. If the weather gets cooler as the forecast says today, we may get another week of ice fishing.
We have had people catching northern pike. The pike are being caught in 15 to 25 feet depths. They are shallowing up dramatically. The walleye bite has been good, and they have been a decent size. Most guys were using minnows and smelt. There are definitely more pressure ridges out there so please be careful. “
No matter where you ice fish be careful. Come prepared for safety. Bring your floatation vest and wear it, check that your GPS setting is not still on zoom or a boat setting so it reflects the true conditions and bring some ice fishing sticks. Keep your head clear and think safety always while you are out there.
We are open from 7 to 5 on weekdays and 7 to 6 on weekends.
Lake Ridge Motel Eddie and Carrie Mindt, Haley 1-406-526-3597
Eddie reports, “ we have ice, but you cannot go out on it. There is no safe ice right now. At this point there is no fishing here right now. Safety is our main concern.”
We have stocked the tackle shop and you can find many things you need there.
Our hours are 7am-6 pm Monday through Sunday.
Fort Peck Marina Jessica & Scott Collinsworth 1-406-565-6283
***Last week ‘s report unable to contact. Will change if it comes in.
Scott reports “ the ice conditions remain decent in the bays but the pressure ridge that is running from past Duck Creek to Bear Creek is in really tough shape. I would not recommend crossing it at all. It is only going to get worse this week with the predicted temps.
Walleye fishing has been relatively slow, but some really nice fish have been caught. Fish seem to be in 7 to 16 feet of water. Minnows under tip-ups and spoons with minnow heads seem to be the key.
Pike numbers have been good for guys targeting them in the bays 14 to 24 feet seems to be key with live minnows and smelt under top-ups.
Laker action has been fairly hit or miss but anglers have been limited due to ice conditions. Depths of 65 to 75 feet seem to be the best depth to find active fish. Jigging spoons and jigs with paddle tails have had the best success. ”
Bait store is open and has all the gear you need for chasing fish on Fort Peck. I have a great supply of minnows right now as well. We have a complete line up of tackle for all your needs here. Hope to see everyone soon.
Crooked Creek Marina, Winnett, Montana
James(Slim), Carri Craig, Rick, Gary 406-429-2999
Gary says, “ we closed the marina until April as the ice is changing. We are making no reservations until April. A few days ago in the bay there was 17 inches of ice. It has a layer of soft and it is still to the shoreline. The pressure ridges are opening. There is no one on the river and we don’t recommend going there. There is decent ice in the bay. The few fishermen have caught some pike and crappie. “
Hardware Hanks- Kolin Mahan/ David 654-1712
Open 7:30 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday/ 11am to 3 pm Sunday
Kolin reports, “ there still is ice at Nelson. The ice has water on it. There have been only a few people on the ice. There was 15 to 18 inches of ice. I did not speak to anyone who fished there this week. Take care if you go and keep a close eye on the ice conditions.
I have had no word on Forchette but there is ice. It is always warmer at Forchette than at Nelson so watch the ice there. “
Cooney Reservoir – Jake,
Jake reports,” the edges have opened up as much as 5 feet and you need to bring waders and a ladder to get on. I went fishing on Monday and the ice was good . I found it to be 8 to 14 inches and still clear with no honey combing yet. I found the trout bite was decent. I used worms, shrimp, and something new, Pautzke fireballs which worked pretty well . The perch bite was consistent. People were using shrimp and worms. The weather is definitely altering the ice and you may be unaware how thin the ice is in places. Please be very careful. “
Lake Elmo FWP Bob Gibson
FWP says , “ we have no ice. The warm weather has eliminated the ice.
A reminder that March 1st is the time to get your new fishing license for the year. We are encouraging people to get it on-line as we are anticipating long lines with social distancing. So avoid the long wait and get yours on-line. ”
Deadmans Tony and Pat Stefani
Pat explains,” we still have ice. With the warming temperatures please be careful on the ice. We saw people camping and they spent some time on the ice. We never saw if they caught anything , but they stayed quite a while. ”
Cozy Corner bar Deadmans/Martinsdale Lavina 406-636-2261 Terry
Terri says, “ the only fishermen going out headed to Bair which still has ice. I do not know if they caught any fish. “
Checkerboard Inn Checkerboard, MT Rick and Judy Geordge 406-572-3373
Judy reports, “ we got 3 inches of snow this morning. Bair had pretty good fishing this week. It still is freezing at night , so it is good ice. Bair has 21 inches of ice and no pulling away at the edges. People were catching fish. They used worms, corn and magots.
I talked to some people who went to Sutherland. No fish were caught. There was ice . “
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
Staff reports ,” I was told that Achley’s ice was dicey. East Fork and Hanson still have ice.
Wind and warm temperatures will alter the ice in other places so please pay attention as you fish. Please stay aware if you go anywhere and be careful. “
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
Sharon says, “ I think we might have a week or 10 days of fishing on the ice left. We have not had very many people fishing. We have 12 inches of ice. The people who fished caught perch but not huge ones. The trout bite is slowing down they say. It is definitely walk on only now. The edge is just starting to pull away from shore. Outside of the bay the pressure ridge is opening up. “
Feel free to call for information or stop in at the shop. Call 266-3100. I am here all the time so I will give you any information I know. The Marina is open. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm. The Pelican is now closed for the season
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540 Rich
Rich says,” the rivers are open. Again with this warm weather.
I talked to a guy who fished Canyon Ferry and he said there was 14 inches of ice. He said he is concerned the ice would go fast with the warm weather, so he pulled his icehouse. There are some weird pressure ridges out there and people need to be real, careful. The warm weather temperatures will change things quickly he thought. . ”
We have decided to close the shop for the season from October 15th to April 1st, 2021.
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977 ,Bill, Ken, Jasmine
We have closed our shop for the season until Spring. ”
Montana Adventures and Angling Beau McFadyean 406-855-3612
Beau reports , the nymph bite is good right now. This warm weather and lower water will make it nice fly fishing on the Big Horn.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rick/Hale/ Stephanie
Rick said, “ the nymph fishing is pretty good right now. Try the orange scud, pink scud, a gray Ray, or a root beer midges. The Yong’s midge is working well. Some nice fish have been caught. We have not found dries working. With the weather warming we have not seen any hatches yet. If you use a streamer, make sure you use a sink tip and go deep as is that is the best presentation. The CFS is at 2000 and is clear. The water is very wadable.
We are getting lots of calls for bookings. Make your call now if you want to book a guide or lodging as we are filling lots of spaces. It is the time to do it. “
Our lodge is open so you can stay with us. We would love to have you go fishing here and we are making sure to follow the procedures to keep people safe. Our shuttle service is available. Call and talk to the shop to get information you need.“
Open 8 am to 12 every day.
Madison River Outfitters- West Yellowstone – Tom Forsberg. Open 730am-9pm
406-646-9644.
T H E F I R S T W E E K O F M A R C H H A S B R O U G H T E X C E L L E N T W E A T H E R T O S O U T H W E S T M O N T A N A , T I M E F O R A N U P P E R-U P P E R M A D I S O N R I V E R A C C E S S C H E C K-I N ! W E ‘ L L RUN T H R O U G H T H E M A D I S O N ‘ S A C C E S S P O I N T S F R O M W E S T Y E L L O W S T O N E D O W N T H R O U G H P A L I S A D E S .
Madison above Hebgen –
Keep in mind the YNP portion of the Madison will remain closed until Memorial weekend in May. Once you are downstream of the YNP boundary, your easiest access will be the 191 bridge just outside of West. The warmer temps last week melted out enough room to (safely) park on the side of the highway. Between the Lakes Parking spaces have been plowed at the entrance of the Ghost Village Road and Cabin Creek campground. As of now it looks like it will be a while until you can drive all the way down to the outhouse, but we will see what the weather does.
Raynolds Bridge-
Looking good! Boat ramp is still snowed in, but you can drive into the parking lot no problem. The parking lot on the South side of the bridge is in good shape as well. Keep in mind there is still no fishing from a boat below Quake to Lyon’s, the new rules are not in effect yet. $3 Bridge While the road down the bridge is still technically closed until April 15, the road has enough snow that you would not be able to drive down anyhow at this time. The lot off the highway is plowed and in good-enough shape for a few vehicles.
Pine Butte/West Fork Pine –
Butte’s boat ramp is still snowed in, but you could slide your boat in with the help of your fishing partner. The park area near the ramp has room for a couple cars. The West Fork bridge is plowed, and you can probably drive about 90% of the way to the outhouse turnaround. Be ready for this road to get a little greasy if the weather stays warm.
Lyon Bridge –
Still primarily used as a snowmobile parking lot this time of year, but as of now its half plowed. You could slide your boat-in if you really wanted to.
Windy Point-
As of 3/7 there is a nasty enough windriff that no one’s driven through down to the bottom level in a while. Skip Windy or have a friend with a truck and tow strap with you just in case.
Palisades –
The drifts coming down off the highway are pretty much gone and the ramp is almost 100% clear. The remaining snow is no problem though, nothing you would get stuck in.
Don’t forget to buy your 2021 MT Fishing licenses!”
