Fort Peck

After a few years of hoping to make an ice trip out there, I think it will finally happen in about 3 weeks. Super cold temps should have some good ice on the lake.

I’ve heard there are methane pockets that create weak ice spots or open water spots. So as far as ice goes, we will be drilling a ton of holes when we are moving, checking ice as we go.

Right now we are thinking of trying to stick around on the north end. Ease of access and driving seem to be better on the north end. I hear and read some about Hell Creek Marina, but it would add almost another 1.5hrs onto the drive and I’ve heard the road back into the marina is complete crap. I will have the aluma lite skidhouse and tracked ATV.

Navionics shows a ton of structure around on the whole lake. Plan is to try for mostly walleye and lake trout, but will throw some tip ups out for pike if we are close to flooded timber or anything of that sort. 6 lines per person opens up a lot of possibilities.

Has anybody ice fished out there? What kind of structure should we be looking for? Anything else in general we should know about the lake?

TIA, I will have a full report when we get back!

I have fished it once and had a blast I went with locals that knew what to look for and where to go.

I have fished it before with locals that knew what to look for and where to go. We fished up near where the river dumps in and had a lot of current. I caught plenty of walleyes and sauger up to eight pounds. I was fishing with eight guys. Six of the eight have caught teener walleyes through the ice. Proceed with caution have more than two people with you get a local to go with you or hire a guide if its your first time. P.M. and we can talk some more.

Mike

Thanks Mike! I’ll send you a PM.

Mike, James did an IDO episode up there last year, and they fished just a couple miles up the road from the Lakeridge, right near the dam. Same area that Jason Mitchel and I filmed his episode that kicked off his 2019 ice fishing episodes.
Both of these shows can be found on the respective You Tube channels. There are places very close by to access the lake with your set-up, which sounds perfect for Peck.

You are right about the crap road into Hell Creek, especially towing/hauling.

My suggestion (as one of only a handful of outfitters that provide guided ice fishing on the lake) is to stick to the dam area of the lake, where you can get reliable, daily updates from Eddie and the boys (my guides and partners) at the Lakeridge. Whether you are looking for a fully guided trip, a place to stay while going self guided, or just a place to get bait and the best info, the Lakeridge is the only game on the lake unless you want to go guerilla style!

And just a heads uup, we are putting on a tournament the weekend of March 1-3rd, a 44 Hour event. With the sounds of your set up, it may be right up your alley! Best place to learn about all of what I have mentioned is on the Lakeridge Lodging and Bait Shops Facebook page.

I am happy to answer any other questions you may have, and I wish you the best on your adventures!

Thanks! I have watched just about every youtube video with somebody ice fishing Peck haha.

What would be a good starting depth for walleyes? Are they out around the main lake and points or further back in the bays?

I’ll definitely be calling Lakeridge and getting updates here the next couple weeks. If they sell bait and stuff, we will be stopping in as well.

How did the trip go? I’m doing a last minute trip out there.

Nevermind, found the fish report.

Is this a trip that can be undertaken with just some input from the bait store/locals and be successful? I have been looking for ice fishing guides for Fort Peck but not finding much, and not getting replies from the few i have found. Looking to do a 3-day trip feb 2020. Was thinking going with a guide day 1, learning enough to fish without one day 2/3. But if i can get enough information ahead of time i am happy saving the ~$200 per person. Mostly interested in the ultimate ice fish, the mighty lake trout!

Yes, I would say you can be successful without a guide. We didn’t have a guide last year and we did OK. Would’ve done better if we would’ve targeted LT more specifically and tried some different spots.

Honestly, the ice and weather are the biggest things over there, that is where a guide might be worth the money. But Lakeridge bait shop folks are really helpful. We didn’t even stay there and they helped us out a lot.

The navionics map on the phone is pretty accurate. Just need to take into account the lake levels, the structure is there, depths might be off a bit.

I attempted a dozen or so summer trips to Ft. Peck when I lived in Montana. Every trip was ruined by high winds or storms, including a tornado. Being stranded in Hell Creek when the roads get muddy is no fun. The whole campground smelled like alchohol from all the bored fishermen.

If you’re after Lake Trout, talk to Eddie at Lakeridge. He’s a guide but also very helpful. I’ve been out there twice in the past year and both times I didn’t fish with him but he still told us where to fish. And he isn’t BSing when he tells you where to fish. He also has lodging at Lakeridge. Their website is okay but they keep up with their FB page pretty good.