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 are being caught in less than 10 feet of water near the Silos using micro jigs or ice flies tipped with worms. Yellow perch and walleye are being caught between the Silos and Duck Creek Bay using Hali jigs or Swedish Pimples, tipped with maggots, in 20 to 40 feet of water. Ice conditions were reported at 18 to 24 inches from Pond 4 to Hole-in-the-Wall and 14 inches on the north end of reservoir.
Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Rainbow fishing is good through the ice in the Causeway in 10 feet of water on a variety of baits including jigs and maggots or worms, spawn sacks and mealworms. A few rainbows are being caught in open water below Canyon Ferry Dam on worms or spawn sacks. Perch, walleye and ling fishing are very slow. The ice in the Causeway is 15 to 18 inches and around Black Sandy there is 20 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Holter: Perch fishing is good around Log Gulch, Holter Lake ramp and bays on the opposite shore for those willing to venture across the ice. Most perch are being caught in 15 to 50 feet of water on jigs and maggots or worms. More rainbows are starting to be caught in 6 to 10 feet or water while using jigs and worms or maggots. There is 18 to 22 inches of ice around Log Gulch, Departure Point and Holter Ramp. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee action has improved with the best action occurring while using jigs tipped with maggots or corn in 30-35 feet of water. Perch fishing has slowed down with a few being caught just off the bottom in 10 to 20 feet of water. There is 22 to 24 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
(feature photo via YouTube)
