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 fishing continues to be good from the Silos to Pond 4. Successful anglers are using dark colored ice flies or jigs tipped with maggots or worms. No anglers ventured out in search of perch due to the current poor ice conditions. Ice conditions have been reported at 10 to 14-inches from the Silos to Pond 4, 0 to 6-inches mid-reservoir, and 0 to 6-inches on the north end. Warm temperatures have caused VERY unsafe ice conditions, please use caution. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena
Hauser: There is no ice in the Causeway, but anglers are catching rainbows from shore on nightcrawlers and spawn sacks. Fishing is slow around Black Sandy where there is 10 inches of good ice. There is also no ice at Devil’s Elbow and York Bridge. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Holter: Ice has become too unstable to access and is pulling away from shore. A few rainbows are being caught around Gates of the Mountains. The Gates of the Mountains boat ramp is now ice free. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee action is fair while using chartreuse jigs and corn in 30 feet of water. Small perch continue to be caught in 10 to 15 feet of water. There is 10 inches of ice, but it is getting soft on top in some spots. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
(Report by Adam Strainer & Troy Humphrey – Montana FWP; Feature photo via andersonguideservice.com)
