Billings Locations?

[MTangler]

Hey guys,

I live in Billings and was wondering where the best places are to fish err...catch, that is close to home. I have tried cooney(not so good), castle rock(ok), and anita. Any other suggestions within a couple hour's drive?

[chucknduck]

you could hit west rosebud lake.  it is up by mystic trailhead and power plant. i have never ice fished it but have heard good things.  ive fished it in the summer and its full of small trout.  ive been thinking of hitting it.  if you go give a report. ill do the same.  when was the last time you went to cooney?  any luck at all?  

[chucknduck]

never mind the ? i see that you replied to the cooney info.

[doublehaul]

Bite the bullet and drive to Hell Creek on Fort Peck. 

[Ivanbbad]

How did you do on Anita MTangler?!? I've been thinking about going up there and trying it!! I'd love to catch some crappies!! What other species of fish are in it?!

[OUTHNTN]

How did you do on Anita MTangler?!? I've been thinking about going up there and trying it!! I'd love to catch some crappies!! What other species of fish are in it?!

ANY SIZE TO THE CRAPPIE ON ANITA?

[krankbait]

I've fished it quite a bit but only once through the ice. There were 4 of us and nobody got a bite. This was about a month ago. I did see something on the flasher a few times but couldn't get the bite. In the warm weather I've caught largemouth, a few carp, and a few small crappie.   

[OUTHNTN]

I've fished it quite a bit but only once through the ice. There were 4 of us and nobody got a bite. This was about a month ago. I did see something on the flasher a few times but couldn't get the bite. In the warm weather I've caught largemouth, a few carp, and a few small crappie.   

THANX FOR THE REPORT.  I JUST MIGHT HAVE TO TRY IT IN MARCH. WILL REPORT IF I MAKE IT.

[stumpm2]

How close to Billings are you looking for and what kind of fish?  You can try Tongue River or Petrolia for walleyes and pike they around 100 miles away.  I don't know what the ice is like because I don't live in Billings any more, but you could try Lake Elmo for something really close or the Broadview Pond or Deadman's Basin.

[MTangler]

Anita has good size crappie in it, keepers at least. I have heard about walleye being caught out of anita and even seen a nice pike pulled out of there!  I have also caught some nice largemouths in the summer out of there.

How close to Billings are you looking for and what kind of fish?  You can try Tongue River or Petrolia for walleyes and pike they around 100 miles away.  I don't know what the ice is like because I don't live in Billings any more, but you could try Lake Elmo for something really close or the Broadview Pond or Deadman's Basin.

I am headed to petrolia or hell creek this weekend and I hope it will turn out. I will let you know

Oh ya, and once again I am not going to waste my time and effort at cooney. I would rather drive a little extra and at least have some action than get skunked over and over at cooney.

[pnb]

Are we talking about Anita out by Ballantine/Worden area?

[MTangler]

Are we talking about Anita out by Ballantine/Worden area?

Yes sir it is. My back yard. It's a great quiet place to go and you never know what you are going to pull out of there.

[Ivanbbad]

Thinking about heading to Anita this weekend for a couple days!! Has anyone had any luck there recently?! I've never fished it so any info would be appreciated!

[MTangler]

Thinking about heading to Anita this weekend for a couple days!! Has anyone had any luck there recently?! I've never fished it so any info would be appreciated!

I have fished it and had some bites on tip-ups, nothing landed though. Caught a few crappie on maggots. Fish it all of the time in summer and catch a lot of largemouth. Even watched a guy pull a pike out of there. I would recommend fishing by the gate/drain along the dam, about 10-15 fow.

Good luck!

[Krakkon]

Fish and game website says that there is Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Crappie, Burbot, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Emerald Shiner, Goldeye, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Shorthead Redhorse, Stonecat, Western Silvery/Plains Minnow, White Sucker, Yellow Perch in Anita

[Ivanbbad]

Someone also said there is Pike and Walleye in there too?! Is that true?!

[MTangler]

Someone also said there is Pike and Walleye in there too?! Is that true?!

The guy at the minnow bucket told me he sent some out of towners to anita and they came back with a couple 3-4 pound walleye and I personally saw a nice size pike pulled out of there, blew me away actually. Anything that is in the river can make it's way into the reservior.

[pnb]

Rumor has it that they are working on the west end. dredging?

[MTangler]

Rumor has it that they are working on the west end. dredging?

yes. they were hard at work the other day on the west end.