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 from Pond 4 to the Silos. Successful anglers have had best luck early in the morning using jigs and ice flies, tipped with crawlers or maggots, in 10 feet of water or less. Yellow perch are being caught between Hole-in-the-Wall and Confederate Bay in 50 to 60 feet of water using standard yellow perch tactics and gear. A handful of walleye continue to be caught while searching for yellow perch. Ice conditions have been reported at 13 to 15 inches throughout the south end of the reservoir and 8 to 10 inches on the north end. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena
Hauser: A few rainbows are being caught in the Causeway with the best action occurring while using jigs and maggots or spawn sacks in 8 to 10 feet of water. Anglers are doing very well for rainbows while casting jigs from a boat around Lakeside and York Bridge. A few walleye are being picked up in these locations as well. Ling are being caught around White Sandy at night. There is 12-14 inches of good ice in the Causeway and at Black Sandy. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Holter: Perch fishing is good overall with most being caught at all of the boat ramps and around Holter Dam in 40 to 50 feet of water on jigs and maggots or mealworms. There is 7 to 8 inches of ice around Log Gulch, Departure Point and Holter Ramp; however, the ice has started to break up around the shoreline so it can be challenging to access. Rainbow fishing has been slow, but most anglers are targeting perch. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee action is good with the best bet being while using jigs and maggots or corn in 25 to 55 feet of water. A lot of small perch are being caught just off the bottom while using jigs and maggots throughout the reservoir in 10 to 15 feet of water. There is 12 to 14 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
