Tongue River Reservoir satellite view

Tongue River Reservoir Fishing Report

|Tongue River Reservoir, MT
75% confidence 60°F Solunar 5/5

If that fails, wait for the evening minor window (8:38–10:08 PM) and target the same wind-blown banks with a slow-rolled spinnerbait or a jig-and-minnow for walleye.

comprehensive plan Analyze Hourly Conditions Analyze Solunar Timing Analyze Weather Conditions
WalleyeSaugeyeSaugerYellow perchBlack crappieChannel catfishSmallmouth bassNorthern pike

Best time today: 12:25 PM to 2:55 PM – the major solunar window hits right as the wind builds to 10–15 mph, pushing bait and activating smallmouth, walleye, and pike on wind-blown structure.

Why it wins

  • Water temp is 60°F and falling 4.9° – fish are in a pre-spawn holding pattern, feeding up before a potential cold snap.
  • New moon (solunar 5/5) and steady pressure (1011 mb) mean the midday major window should produce a strong, predictable bite.
  • Wind increases from calm at dawn to 8+ mph by 9 AM, then likely 10–15 mph by noon – that’s the trigger to move bait and hide your line.

Start here
The wind-blown north and northwest banks – specifically the points and rock bars on the upper half of the reservoir where the fetch is longest. Look for the first steep break near the main channel edge. If you can’t hold on the windiest bank, fish the first protected point that still gets wind wrap.

Throw this

  • Primary: 1/2 oz white or chartreuse/white spinnerbait with a single Colorado blade – slow-roll it just off the bottom along the wind-blown points.
  • Backup: 3/8 oz jerkbait in silver or clown – long pauses (8–12 seconds) on the same structure if the spinnerbait draws follows but no commits.
  • Evening option: 1/4 oz jig with a minnow or paddle tail for walleye during the minor window 8:38–10:08 PM.

Best window
Be on the water by 11:30 AM to locate bait and set up. The prime bite runs from 12:25 PM to 2:55 PM. The wind will be strongest and most consistent during that stretch, and the solunar peak aligns perfectly.

Next move
If the midday window is dead (no bait, no follows, no marks on structure), slide to the deepest main-lake point with a 3/8 oz football jig and craw trailer – fish are likely hugging the bottom in the falling temp trend. If that fails, wait for the evening minor window (8:38–10:08 PM) and target the same wind-blown banks with a slow-rolled spinnerbait or a jig-and-minnow for walleye.