Report compiled by Carol Henckel
Please be advised weather is changing constantly and some days wind can be a factor. High water conditions are dangerous as Spring weather is unpredictable and the run off is treacherous. Enjoy yourself but remember alcohol alters your judgment so use it sparingly while enjoying the outdoors. Keep an eye on the weather while you are out there, be prepared and stay safe. 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.
Rock Creek Marina-Bill 1-406-485-2560
Bill says, “It was good fishing this week! The Rock Creek tournament had
71 teams. Not a lot of weight to the fish but good eater size. The
winning big walleye was 31 3/4 fish inches caught by the team of Doug
Quast and Cody Martenez. People are using leeches and minnows. Jigging
with worm harnesses using fire tigers and blue seems to be the color.
Small mouth bass are stating now. They are catching big pike as well.”
Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Marina 1-406-757-2225 Colton/Bob Pederson/Warden Jordan Straley
Brandon reports, “Fishing for crappies and walleyes has slowed up some.
The weather has been cool. I think it will improve because the weather
forecast is saying temperatures are warming up again. Walleyes are
definitely being caught. The crappie are suspended at 15 to 20 feet.
Walleye seem to be at the same depth. They are pretty much taking
everything. The water is somewhat murky. They seem to seem to like black
and silver or black and green. Crappies are being caught using a tube
jig. The water temp is 68 degrees right now. The fish are small eater
size.I hear the walleye seem to be moving up( in depth).” Marina hours
are 8 am to 6 pm.
Clint Thomas- Hell Creek Marina 1-406- 557-2345
Hell Creek-Fort Peck Reservoir
The staff says,” Walleye fishing is not half bad for walleye right now.
Walleye are changing their depth as the weather cools or gets hot. They
are at 18 to 4 feet. It changes daily right now. They are biting on blue
and purple jigs it seems. Northern Pike are still pretty good using tiger
striped green black and with a yellow belly. The fishermen have been
catching a lot of small mouth bass. People are consistently catching 10
to 12.”
Gene Moore Lake Ridge Motel 1-406-526-3597
Gene Moore, of Lake Ridge says ”, Lots of fishing going on. Things have
picked up. They are catching northern pike, small mouth, walleye and lake
trout. The northern pike are nice size. They are catching them at Bear
Creek, Flat Lake, Hacksbee and Duck Creek. Lake trout are being caught on
a hot lips deep diver. Guys are having luck with pocket frogs. Reverse
fire tiger are working and I have them here.”
Lake Elmo Billings
“Lots of people right now. They are Swimming, rafting, using a canoe and
fishing are definitely going on. By the numbers I suspect they are having
success fishing.” Bob said.
Cooney Reservoir Jenny/ Maleri
The fishing is still picking up. Walleye fishing is improving they are
catching nice eater size fish. They are using worms and I have seen 16
to 18 inch walleye. Walleye and trout mainly are being caught from
boats.
Deadmans/Martinsdale Cozy Corner Bar Lavina 406-636-2261
“I am hearing both Deadmans and Martinsdale are fishing well with worms.
Two Dot,Bear Lake and Southerland is good fishing as well. They are
catching mostly trout. The Musselshell at Melstone are catching mostly
trout. They are catching a bunch of cats at Forsyte using mostly worms,”
Gene reports.
Don’s Lewistown- Dale 1-800-879-8194
“Fishing in Central Montana is just good fishing. Achley is fishing.
Night crawlers and power bait is definitely working. Anything blue or
silver or red green in a spinner from the bank trolling is getting action.
All small waters are doing real well. Try silver spinners. Use black CDC
and BWD. Nymph fishing is working. Spring Creek is real good. Use the blue
wing. There is a caddis hatch. Guys are getting 6 to 7 fish an hour.At
Crooked Creek you can now launch a boat now. The fishermen are heading
East down the lake using cranks and jigging with a worm. Catch northern
pike and small mouth at shore at 10 feet. Try walleye at 15 to 25 feet,”
Charlie says.
Crooked Creek-Grant
You can launch a boat here now. Guys are catching walleye going East. The
marina is not open. It is closed but cabins are still available for
other uses just call 1-406-429-2999.
Minnow Bucket-Eddie White 696-1281
“The cat fish fishing is still great. Guys are going from Huntley to
Hysham. I am still hearing Tongue is good. Lots of walleye and crappies.
On Cooney they are trolling fire tigers with leaches 20 to 30 feet. The
walleye I hear are eater size. I fished Deadman’s with cowbells in 20
feet of water using a wedding ring and caught salmon. They were a couple
pounders. I also have seen several pictures of tiger muskies caught at
Riverfront park,” Eddie says.
Eddie White is the new owner of the Minnow Bucket. Please note the new
phone number to call. The hours are Tuesday to Friday 11 to 7 pm, Saturday
7 to 7 pm and Sunday 7 to noon.
Silos Canyon Ferry-Sharon
“Fishing is good all over. We have plenty of water now. Walleye and trout
are being caught. The trout are about 2 to 4 pounds. Walleye are 14 to 18
inches with some 28 to 30 inches in certain locations. The water clarity
is okay. You do have to watch for debris like rail road ties and trees as
the Missouri is sending stuff down. Use flicker shads, they are working.
West Side Sports Jim Mayer 1-406-654-1611
“Fishing is terrific right now.I think it is a little better than last
week. As the weather warms fishing just really improves. Nelson Reservoir
has turned on for walleye. Try using bottom bouncers with worm harnesses
at 5 to 15 feet. It is really good. It got aggressive. Forchette has
improved,” Jim reports.
West Side Sports has a new owner. Jim Mayer, the new owner, says, “my
hours on the shop will be 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and we will be closed
on Sunday. Stop in any time,” Jim says.
Billings-Scheels Nate/Josh
Josh says, “ Fort Peck and Rock Creek are up and the walleye are biting
I hear. I hear anything is working. Tongue has been good for crappie,
walleye and northerns. They are using crankbaits, jigs, and power bait.
The Big Horn is fishing well. At Cooney I heard trout are doing good.
The fish are liking power bait. Some 18 inch trout were caught. People
are catching nice trout 4 to 5 pounds at Canyon Ferry.”
Rich’s Tackle Richard 406-285-4540
Every rivers have come down. The Jefferson, Gallatin and Madison are
clearing. The creeks are down as well and rainbow trout are doing
better. There is definitely a hatch going on. Canyon Ferry is still
doing real well for walleye I hear. The pool is definitely up and still
coming up.When the weather is cool it does slow down a bit. The walleye
are at a depth of 25 to 35 feet right now. Make sure you really watch
water levels as they are going up and that means debris,” Rich said.
Shop hours are Sunday 12 to 4 pm. Closed Monday. Tuesday to Saturday 7
am to 6 pm. You can always call ahead if you are coming through and need
something on off hours and we may be able to help.
Stillwater Anglers-Chris 406-322-4977
(this is last weeks report as no answer to our call)
Chris reports, “The Stillwater is still high. You possibly be able to get
some fishing around Absarokee. You might be able to fish on the
tributaries. It has slowed down a bit. There is a little action using
nymphs. Try the San Quan, hoppers or Wooly Buggers and use lots of weight.
The Yellowstone is still blown out. Don’t deal with it right now. The
main stem is still high. We now are in Summer hours in the shop and are
open Tuesday to Sun. from 9 am to 5 pm. We are closed Monday.
Big Horn Trout Shop Fort Smith 666-2375 Rich
Donna says, “Fishing is good. The CFS is 6300. Use nymph fishing from a
boat. We are still seeing baetes hatches only a few midges.Try cray
parachute Adams and gray CDC. The water is clear and you can catch 16 to
20 inch trout. On the lower section stay on the left hand side as there
is less moss debris. Call if you need specific information. Our shop hours
have changed and we are open 7 am to 5 pm. Monday to Sunday.
Boulder River- It is still high and muddy past Natural bridge. If you go
higher you might be better off.
