Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 1.17.23
By angelamontana

Posted: January 17, 2023

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: Rainbows are being caught from the Silos south to the Ponds in 10-15 feet of water on pink, brown or black jigs with worms or maggots.  Walleye and perch are being caught around Hole in the Wall and mid reservoir between the Silos and Duck Creek in 30 feet of water while using Hali jigs or red, yellow or orange jigs tipped with maggots, worms or perch eyes.  Stay away from the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir.  There is 18-20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 10-15 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice.  Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: A few perch or walleye are being found in Lake Helena and near the power lines in the Causeway Arm while jigging near the bottom with glow jigs and crawlers. Rainbow trout continue to be picked up in the Causeway area while using various colored jigs tipped with maggots or crawlers 6 to 10 feet below the ice. The Causeway has around 10 inches, Lake Helena has around 15 inches and Black Sandy has around 12 inches of ice.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: Perch action is still pretty good with good numbers being found out from Departure Point and the Prairie Dog Town on the lower end of the reservoir while using Hali jigs and maggots near the bottom in 35 to 45 feet of water. A few rainbows are being picked up at the Gates of the Mountains while using various jigs or ice flies with maggots or crawlers 3 to 10 feet below the ice. The Gates of the Mountains has around 10 inches, The BLM ramp has around 7 inches, Departure Point has around 8 inches, the Prairie Dog Town has around 8 inches of ice.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee and perch fishing has been pretty good while using Hali or Sweedish Pimple type ice jigs tipped with maggots or corn near the bottom in 25 to 35 feet of water. 14-15 inches of ice has been reported.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

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