Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report by FWP
By angelamontana

Posted: February 19, 2013

Anglers are reminded that ice conditions can be extremely variable on the reservoirs.  Ice thickness can range from thick enough to support a vehicle to open water.  Extreme caution should be used when accessing the ice.

Canyon Ferry:  The rainbow trout bite has picked up nicely and fish are being caught at depths less than 6 feet of water throughout the south end of the reservoir using marabou jigs or ice flies tipped with worms or maggots. Yellow perch anglers are catching some fish in 50 feet of water between Hole-in-the-Wall, Duck Creek Bay and Confederate Bay using standard perch gear, but the bite overall has been rather inconsistent.  Walleye and ling anglers continue to catch a few fish throughout the reservoir.  Ice conditions have been reported at 14 to 17-inches between Pond 4 and Confederate Bay, 12 to 14-inches near White Earth and 7 to 10-inches on the north end of the reservoir.  Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena

Hauser:  Rainbow fishing is fair at the Causeway while using jigs tipped with worms.  A few rainbows are being caught at Riverside on orange or red Marabou jigs and worms.  Perch and walleye action is slow.  The Causeway and Black Sandy have 8-10 inches of ice.  Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Holter:  Rainbow fishing has improved around Log Gulch and Departure Point while using jigs and worms.  Some rainbows are being caught at Gates of the Mountains on egg sacks.  Some perch are being caught around Black Beach and Departure Point in 35 to 40 feet of water.  The perch have been biting on jigs and maggots.  There is 8 inches of ice around the Log Gulch area.  Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir:  Kokanee fishing continues to be good.  The kokanee are being caught 12 to 35 feet deep on orange or pink ice jigs tipped with maggots or corn.  A few perch are being caught in shallow water. There is 13-15 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

(Report by Troy Humphrey and Adam Strainer – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)

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