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PADDLEFISH
The
Yellowstone River is home to 49 species
If you are visiting the Glendive area and are interested
in fishing, especially for the warm-water species,
the Yellowstone River offers nearly an unlimited variety
of fish.
With
49 different species of fish present, fishing the
Yellowstone in this area is an enlightening experience,
as you never know when you toss your line in the water
what kind of fish you might catch. It might be a walleye,
a sauger, a smallmouth bass, a catfish, a burbot,
a sturgeon and occasionally someone even catches a
trout. There are also non-game fish such as goldeye,
carp, drum, and stonecats that can provide an enjoyable
angling experience. The best time to concentrate on
walleye and sauger is prior to their spawning run
in the spring and in the fall when the water cools
and clears.
Catching
either of these fish hinges on the turbidity of the
water, as these fish are sight feeders, so when the
river is muddy, fishing success drops off.
Walleyes
weighing in at 11 to 12 pounds have been caught in
the Yellowstone. Twister tail jigs tipped with minnows
or night crawlers are good-producing lures, and crankbaits
are also good when the water is clear and warmer during
the summer. Generally, catfishing is best during high
water in late spring. Another place to look for catfish
is in the backwaters of some of the dry creeks along
the river, but the old cat may be caught most anytime.
Burbot and sturgeon are also generally caught in the
spring.
Intake
diversion dam is the hot spot on the Yellowstone for
the paddlefish. This prehistoric fish is caught by
snagging with large treble hooks. Fishermen must purchase
special tags to try for the paddlers in the state.
Paddlefish season on the Yellowstone at Intake runs
from May 15 through June 30, although the season may
be closed to harvest once a quota of 1000 fish is
reached. The season limit is one fish on the Yellowstone.
On Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays those who have
purchased tags are allowed to fish on a catch-and-release
basis only throughout the season.
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