Anglers are reminded that ice conditions can be extremely variable. 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 has been steady from Pond 4 to the Silos Recreation Area and around Chinamen’s Bay using black or green jigs or ice flies, tipped with worms or maggots, in 10 feet of water or less. Yellow perch are being caught between Hole-in-the-Wall and Duck Creek Bay using Hali jigs or Swedish Pimples, tipped with maggots, in 25 to 45 feet of water. Ice conditions are currently reported at 18 to 26 inches from Pond 4 to the Confederate Bay, 18 to 20 inches mid reservoir, and 12 to 14 inches on the North end of the reservoir. A few open water locations across the reservoir near shore and around pressure ridges have developed, so proceed with caution. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Rainbow fishing is good through the ice at Black Sandy while using jigs and maggots or worms 6 to 10 feet below the ice. A few perch and walleye are being caught as well. Rainbows are being caught in open water at the Causeway Bridge and below Canyon Ferry Dam on worms. The ice in the Causeway is 4 to 10 inches and unstable in spots. At Black Sandy there is 15 inches of good ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Holter: Perch fishing is good near Indian Trail, the prairie dog town and Log Gulch. The perch are being caught anywhere from 10 to 45 feet of water on jigs and maggots or worms, so most anglers are moving around until they find the schools. Gates of the Mountains is producing a few rainbows on jigs and maggots in 6 to 10 feet of water. There is about 8 to 14 inches of ice around Log Gulch, Departure Point and Holter Ramp. Ice is deteriorating fast with water on top and it is pulling away from shore in spots. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee action is very good with best action occurring while using Glo Hooks or jigs tipped with maggots or corn 10 to 25 feet below the ice. Perch are being caught just off the bottom in 12 to 20 feet of water. Most perch are small. There is 15 inches of ice with a little water on top in spots. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
