Bluegills

[krankbait]

There are a couple of ponds around Billings that are loaded with Bluegills. I have never fished for them through the ice. Where do you find them in the winter? I have a few kids I would like to take out and catch something through the ice to get them interested.

[chimo]

6-12 fow around weeds has always been a good place for me to start looking for bluegills.  Good Fishin

Chimo

[RLWagner]

There are a couple of ponds around Billings that are loaded with Bluegills. I have never fished for them through the ice. Where do you find them in the winter? I have a few kids I would like to take out and catch something through the ice to get them interested.

Krank,

Need to know something about the water you plan on fishing in order to be specific. If the water does not reach 25', then expect the gills to be in the deeper basins, if the water has lots of area over 30', search out weed beds in the shallow coves, bays and canals that freeze first.

[krankbait]

The one that is closest to town is probably not more than 15-20' deep but I'm not sure since motorized boats are not allowed on it and I don't have a graph on my row boat. Now that I can walk on it I can check it with my flasher. I'm guessing I need to use small jigs with maggots or something. Am I guessing right?

[Club 32 FM]

The one that is closest to town is probably not more than 15-20' deep but I'm not sure since motorized boats are not allowed on it and I don't have a graph on my row boat. Now that I can walk on it I can check it with my flasher. I'm guessing I need to use small jigs with maggots or something. Am I guessing right?

Are you heading to RiverFront Park?  Has anyone been on RiverFront lately?

[krankbait]

Ya I'm looking at Riverfront. I was there yesterday at lunch and saw about 15 holes punched in the ice that were froze over but nobody was fishing.

[RobG]

The one that is closest to town is probably not more than 15-20' deep but I'm not sure since motorized boats are not allowed on it and I don't have a graph on my row boat. Now that I can walk on it I can check it with my flasher. I'm guessing I need to use small jigs with maggots or something. Am I guessing right?

I did ok the other day in Bzn with a little Swedish pimple tipped with a maggot. Jig hard to bring them in and then just move it a little once they are there. I was in 17 fow, but didn't try different areas much.

[Rio252]

Dont waste your time at Riverfront. Colstrip is where the bluegills are! Fish the cattails in about 3-10 fow.

[krankbait]

Rio,

Have you ever fished Riverfront? I just figured a 15 minute drive was easier than a 1 1/2 hour drive. But maybe it would be worth the trip.

[MTviking]

I have ice fished Riverfront a lot.  The lake is an extremely consistent 6-8 foot deep.  I have been over just about every square foot of that place through my years growing up in Billings and you will not find any water deeper than 7-8 foot.  Because of the monotony of the structure and depth, it does not matter where you go.  The entire lake is covered by weed beds and any one area is the same as the next.  With that said, it is chocked full of small bluegill and crappie along with a decent population of largemouth that will bite through the ice.  Although it's not a very exciting destination, I wouldn't call it a waste of time.  It is a great palce to take kids.  As for strategy, a tiny jig a foot off the bottom with a single maggot is probably your best bet.  If you want to target the bass, try one the the smaller sizes of swedish pimples or the smallest jigging raps.

[krankbait]

Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try.

[lingslayer]

i have four boys that are dying to get a fish through the ice, we have been fishing Cooney but it has been dead.does anyone know the ice conditions for Riverfront park , sound s like the boys and I will have to check it out this week.

[Rio252]

yes I have fished Riverfront several times. I have caught small fish and yes it is fun. But a kid will have a blast on a fish that fights back. And the bluegills at Castlerock are worth the drive! Knock on wood...I have never been skunked at Castlerock...you can always count on pike for that. But a bluegill you can take home?!...you cant beat that.
Well here goes...I am all for a fishing ban on Riverfront Ponds. There is no reason why the Bluegills shouldnt be as big as they are in Castlerock. I say dredge out a few spots several feet down add some rock structure, stock it with some of them from Castlerock...add some pike, wait 2 years at the most and BAM! Some nice slabs.

[lingslayer]

does anyone have a few tips for a rookie on what jigs and bait to start off with for bluegills 

[RLWagner]

The one that is closest to town is probably not more than 15-20' deep but I'm not sure since motorized boats are not allowed on it and I don't have a graph on my row boat. Now that I can walk on it I can check it with my flasher. I'm guessing I need to use small jigs with maggots or something. Am I guessing right?

Krank,

Looks like you have some great local advice from fellow sportsmen!!! Good job guys. Good luck and stay on the dry side of the ice!!

RL

[OUTHNTN]

Ya I'm looking at Riverfront. I was there yesterday at lunch and saw about 15 holes punched in the ice that were froze over but nobody was fishing.

TRIED RIVERFRONT TODAY FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS THIS AFTERNOON BUT THE BOYS WANTED TO GO TO GRAMMA'S SO WE QUIT EARLY.  WE WERE ON THE EAST END BY THE BRIDGE. SORRY I CAN'T REPORT SUCCESS, BUT DIDN'T SPEND ENOUGH TIME TO TRY OTHER PARTS OF THE LAKE.  WE WERE IN 7 FOW ABOUT IN THE MIDDLE AND MARKED ONE FISH ABOUT 5' DOWN W/ THE SHOWDOWN.  ANYONE ELSE BEEN DOING ANY GOOD HERE?  I THINK WE'LL TRY SOUTH POND IN LAUREL TOMORROW FOR SOME TROUT.  THE BOYS ARE ALSO DYING TO CATCH SOME FISH SO IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS CLOSE TO BILLINGS, WE'RE ALL EARS.

[deadeyerik]

My son and I caught 15 trout last Wed. at West Rosebud. Small ledhead jigs tipped with small chuncks of shrimp. It gets better towards eve.