Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report for the Week of 2.27.17
By angelamontana

Posted: February 28, 2017
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 continue to bite in the morning out from the Silos Recreation Area and around Confederate Bay using black or green jigs or ice flies, tipped with maggots, in 10 feet of water or less. Yellow perch are being caught near Hole-in-the-Wall using Hali jigs or Swedish Pimples, tipped with maggots, in 30 to 40 feet of water.  Ice conditions are currently reported at 12 to 22 inches on the south 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:  Black Sandy seems to be the hot spot with reports of rainbow, perch and ling being caught through the ice in 20 to 25 feet of water.  Rainbows are being caught  while using jigs and maggots or worms 6 to 10 feet below the ice.  Perch and ling are being caught just off the bottom on jigs and worms or cut bait.  Rainbows are being caught in open water below Canyon Ferry Dam on worms or egg sacks.  The ice in the Causeway is variable at 6 to 10 inches. At Black Sandy there is 15 inches of good ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
 
Holter:  Perch fishing is good near Holter Lake Lodge, 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. A few rainbows are being caught near shore on jigs and maggots or egg sacks in 4 to 8 feet of water.  There is about 8 to 14 inches of ice around Log Gulch, Departure Point and Holter Ramp.  Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
 
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir:  Kokanee action is very good with best action occurring while using jigs tipped with maggots or corn 10 to 20 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 good ice.  Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
 
 (feature photo via Pinterest)

 

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