Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report for the Week of 1.20.14
By angelamontana

Posted: January 21, 2014

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: Rainbow trout continue to be caught in less than 10 feet of water between Pond 4 and the Silos, as well as Confederate Bay, using dark colored jigs or ice flies tipped with worms. Yellow perch are being consistently caught between Hole-in-the-Wall and Duck Creek Bay in 40 to 50 feet of water using Swedish pimples or Hali jigs tipped with maggots or perch eyes. Ice conditions have been reported at 14 to 16-inches between Pond 4 and Confederate Bay, 12 to 14-inches from Confederate to White Earth and the north end still has OPEN WATER. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena

Hauser: Some rainbows are being caught in the Causeway and around Black Sandy on pink or orange ice flies or jigs tipped with maggots. There is 11 inches of ice at the Causeway and 12 inches at Black Sandy. Some rainbows are being caught near Riverside Campground from shore while using worms. No report for perch or walleye. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Holter: Ice is very questionable with a maximum thickness of 5 inches around Log Gulch. A few anglers ventured out on the ice around Log Gulch and found good success for rainbows and perch. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee fishing has slowed down some. The kokanee are being caught in 25-30 feet of water on needlefish or chartreuse ice jigs tipped with corn or maggots. There is 14-15 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

(Report by Adam Striner & Troy Humphrey – FWP; Cover photo: jigheadstv.wordpress.com)

 

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