Fort Peck ice is off

[Trapper John]

The ice on Fort Peck is gone. It went off a few days ago. Lets go get um.

[Larry L]

Trapper John

Is there any water in Ft Peck? Most of Wyoming got quite a bit of snow over the last few days. Not enough to end the drought but I imagine you will get some of it.

:cheers:

Larry

[Trapper John]

The main run off has not started yet. We got some from the rain and snow around here, but the main run off from the mountains will show up in a few weeks. There is probably about 180 feet of water in the lake by the dam. That should be enough to catch a fish. They are easier to find with less water and last year was great with a lot of big walleyes over 10 pounds and good year classes in the 7-10 pound range. It is a super time for Fort Peck walleyes.

[Hogslammer]

Trapper John, my family and I are thinking of coming up to Montana for a vacation, but think I want to trailer my boat that far. When is the best time of the early summer for a trophy walleye and where. What part of the lake do you guide?

[Hogslammer]

Trapper John, my family and I are thinking of coming up to Montana for a vacation, but think I want to trailer my boat that far. When is the best time of the early summer for a trophy walleye and where. What part of the lake do you guide?

[Trapper John]

I guide out of #### creek 25 miles north of Jordan. It is about in the middle of the lake, so I can go either way depending on the bite. The walleyes seem to really start biting in the later part of May and continue through July. Best time is usually mid June through mid July. I usually go West early and East later. It depends on how fast the bite developes. Water temps. dictate how quick the fish turn on.

[Trapper John]

I guide out of #### creek 25 miles north of Jordan. It is about in the middle of the lake, so I can go either way depending on the bite. The walleyes seem to really start biting in the later part of May and continue through July. Best time is usually mid June through mid July. I usually go West early and East later. It depends on how fast the bite developes. Water temps. dictate how quick the fish turn on.

[howler]

come on now trapper, Ft. Peck is in deep trouble, lots of water to float a boat thats for sure, but fishing is anything but great.

[Traxionunlogged]

How was the ice season up there? I'm going to make a trip up next Feb. Usually heard a lot the past few years, this year was really quiet.

[howler]

If your going to fish Fort Peck in the winter plan on the west end, Devils Creek area on the south side or Fourchette Creek on the north side. Both are near wliderness experance and no services availabe for 50 miles either place. But people do fish the area and catch fish. you are at the mercy of the weather you might get blowed in for a week or so in sub-zero temps or it could be lows in the teens and daily highs in the 30's 40's. keep tabs on the weather if you plan on coming.

[Traxionunlogged]

We are definately going for the west end, south side. Best drive for us. I am going to head up with some guys that have spent a week plus on the ice up there every year. They stay in their shacks. I don't know if I'm up for that or not, we were thinking instead of staying in #### Creek. We'll be on 4 wheelers (I'm selling the sled this summer), so deep snow might hinder us. Just going to have to watch the weather when we are up there. What about Snow Creek, how is access there?

[Trapper John]

There is a road into Snow creek, but it is a rugged road. Most of the walleye fishing in winter is in the upper reaches with Devils creek area being a pretty good place to start. There were a couple of hogs taken in that area this winter. One was close to a new state record and several were over 14 lbs. Winter is a good time for some big fish, but the majority were eating size from 14-16 inches. Last summer was good fishing for us with 14 walleyes over 10 lbs. We target the larger fish with big crankbaits and so we catch larger walleyes. There is a lot of fish from 7-11 lbs. right now. Look at the website for the pictures. ifishfortpeck.com

[Traxionunlogged]

Is there any maps online that show all the name of the bays there? I sometiems get confused with all the names. I'm interested in chasing 'eyes and northerns mainly, but a big laker would be OK too. Can decent fishing, without crowds, be found a reasonable 4 wheeler ride from #### Creek? TrapperJohn, do you fish mainly with flags during the winter, or do you do a lot of jigging? Driving around on the wheeler checking flags doesn't really do it for me, I'm a rod in hand with the Vexilar type guy. Thanks for all the info.

[Trapper John]

You can go to walleyesforever.com and click on Montana lake maps. Then click on Fort Peck map. There are no crowds on Fort Peck. #### creek in winter can be good for lakers and northerns. Some big walleyes also come out of the area. I jig with one pole and run 5 tip-ups. You are allowed 6 lines when ice fishing. Southerland coulee, which is just North of #### creek can be real good for big northerns, and also some good walleyes. Good luck.

[Traxionunlogged]

Thank you. I appreciate the info!