Helena Recreation Report by Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors 7.7.17
By angelamontana

Posted: July 7, 2017

Don’t forget to swing in and pick-up your Aquatic Invasive Species permit ($2 for Residents) before you go out fishing!

Canyon Ferry: the campgrounds and fishing accesses are filled up with campers, recreational boaters and floaters, so early mornings or late nights are your best bet for hooking up on some fish.  Fishing for rainbow trout is good, snap jigging some pink and blue jig heads tipped with crawlers is also working well. Trolling a cowbell with a spoon trailer is good way to hook up on a few trout as well.  For walleye try trolling a crawling harness tipped with a leech to find their depth, which should be shallower with warm waters now.  Then start jigging for them with leeches. Crank baits are hitting well now that water temps have gone up and walleye are cruising the flats north of the ponds so don’t hesitate to throw a Firetiger or Glass Perch Rapala out there.

Hauser: Campgrounds and fishing accesses are starting filled with recreational boaters and floaters, so early mornings are your best bet for hooking up on some fish.  If you want to throw some spinners try some gold and red Panther Martins, other colors are rainbows (blue/pink) and perch (green/orange).  Snap jigging from shore is also working well right now so try some of those colored jigs tipped with a crawler.  For flies PMDs and Caddis are the hot ticket.

Holter: Trolling wise, a crawling harness tipped with worms or crankbaits are a good way to find the Walleye.  For patterns stick to those Perch colors the walleye hit those pretty often in Holter.  Try anchoring off the shore outside of 20’ and cast back to shore with a Rapala Perch colored Shad Rap in the late afternoon as the sunsets.  For trout, try trolling some cowbells with a spoon and crawler behind in the main lake along the dunes and near the dam.

Missouri: With July here, water levels are coming down every day.  Fishing is great right now…PMDs and Caddis are the hot ticket right now. Trico’s are also starting to make an appearance.  Ants are a great choice right now and the rest of the terrestrials will be making an entrance soon—although don’t hesitate to throw a few small hoppers.  Lots of fishermen on the water but mornings and late afternoons are your best bet…so bring your bug spray.

 

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