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 has picked between from the Silos to Pond 4. Successful anglers are using black, green, and brown ice flies or jigs tipped with maggots or worms. The yellow perch bite has slowed, but fish are being caught between Hole-in-the-Wall and Duck Creek Bay in 35-45 feet of water. Swedish pimples and Hali jigs, tipped with maggots, worms or perch eyes, are the best bet. Ice conditions have been reported at 12 to 15-inches from Hole-in-the-Wall to Pond 4, 4 to 8-inches mid-reservoir, and 4 to 8-inches on the north end. Warm temperatures have caused some unsafe ice conditions, please use caution. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Rainbow fishing is very good in the Causeway while using jigs or ice flies tipped with a maggot or worm. There is 5 inches of ice in the Causeway, but in places it is becoming unstable and receding, so use extreme caution. Fishing is slow around Black Sandy where there is 10 inches of good ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Holter: Perch fishing has been very good with some rainbow being mixed in as well. A lot of perch are being caught at Log Gulch and Departure Point in 30 to 40 feet of water on jigs and maggots or worms. Rainbows are being caught on jigs and maggots in the bay at Holter Ramp and between Log Gulch and Departure Point. There is 4 to 5 inches of ice around Log Gulch, Departure Point and Holter Ramp; however, ice is unstable and pulling away from shore where it can be difficult to access. Use caution as the wind and warmer temps will make the ice even more unstable. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee action is good while using ice flies or jigs and maggots or corn in 30 feet of water. A lot of small perch are being caught in 10 to 15 feet of water. There is 10 to12 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
(Report by Adam Strainer and Troy Humphrey - Montana FWP)
