Family Walleye Fishing in Big Sky Country, Montana

Family, Fishing, and Fort Peck: Chasing Walleyes in Big Sky Country

Looking for a place where the fish hit hard, the sky feels endless, and there’s no shortage of space to make lasting memories? Fort Peck Reservoir in northeast Montana checks all the boxes. Spanning over 245,000 acres and boasting more than 1,500 miles of shoreline, this massive body of water offers serious room to explore—and even more chances to hook into something worth bragging about.

This time, we’re riding along with the Matson family—Gordy, Tanya, and their daughter Mikayla—as they leave the tournament trail behind and focus on something even better: fishing as a family.

Meet the Matsons

Gordy and Tanya have spent years chasing walleyes around Montana’s fishing circuit. But when their daughter Mikayla got hooked on fishing, they traded in tournaments for quality time on the water together. And trust us—Mikayla’s no rookie. She’s already caught two walleyes weighing over 14 pounds. Not too shabby for someone who’s just getting started.

Launching into Fort Peck

On this trip, the Matsons set out from Hell Creek State Park in early August. Water levels were low—down about 10 to 15 feet—so they planned to fish deep. That meant using one-and-a-half-ounce bottom bouncers to start, possibly moving up to twos or even threes as they pushed into 35- to 40-foot depths.

The game plan? Find hard bottoms, avoid the weeds, and match their bait to what the walleyes are eating—mainly ciscos and perch.

Chasing Bites in the Wind

Windy conditions kept the family off their go-to main lake points, so they tucked into a small bay. It was slow going at first—just a few small walleyes under their 20-inch limit. (The Matsons have a personal rule: anything over 20 inches goes back in the water.) But they stayed patient and kept working their rigs.

They were running four rods—two up front, two in the back—using crawler harnesses in different colors to see what might trigger a bite.

The Fort Peck Surprise

One of the best parts of fishing Fort Peck is the variety. You never really know what’s going to be at the end of your line. Sure, the goal is walleye, but on any given day, you might pull in a catfish, a drum, a smallmouth bass, or even a northern pike.

That’s exactly what happened. Between small walleyes for the grill, they landed a big toothy northern and a few other surprises. Not every catch was a keeper, but the action kept them entertained—and that’s half the fun.

Tips from the Boat

• Worm management: Instead of letting worm dirt get everywhere, keep your nightcrawlers in a bucket of water. The dirt floats, and you get clean bait.
• Watch your sonar: Gordy likes to use a mix of sonar, down imaging, and side imaging to track fish and bait schools. It’s all about knowing what’s below and adjusting your presentation.
• Weight matters: As they moved deeper, they adjusted their bottom bouncer weights—using heavier ones in the front to avoid tangles and get their baits in the strike zone.

The Right Boat for the Job

Fishing Fort Peck often means dealing with wind and waves, so the Matsons put their trust in a Lund 2175 Pro-V Limited. Mikayla mentioned she feels safe in it, even when waves kick up. It’s sturdy, roomy, and has enough storage to handle all their gear for lake-hopping trips. The SportTrak system lets them move rod holders wherever they need them, which comes in handy when switching up tactics.

Finishing Strong

After a couple of tough days battling wind, the family finally made it to a spot they’d been eyeing all trip. The reward? A few more solid walleyes—including a true Fort Peck giant that reminded them why they keep coming back. It wasn’t easy, but that’s part of the deal. Sometimes, it’s the grind that makes the payoff even sweeter.

Just Keep Fishing

If there’s one thing to take from the Matsons’ time on the water, it’s this: Don’t quit when the bite is slow or the wind is blowing. Stay out there, keep trying, and eventually, something great happens. Whether it’s a trophy walleye or just a good day with your family, Fort Peck delivers.