Helena Area Reservoirs Ice Fishing Report 1.23.23
By angelamontana

Posted: January 23, 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: A few rainbows are being caught 15-22 feet deep around Duck Creek on pink, brown or black jigs with worms or maggots.  Walleye and perch are being caught mid reservoir between Hole Hole in the Wall to Confederate and Duck Creek in 35-45 feet of water while using red, black or orange Hali jigs or spoons tipped with maggots, worms or perch eyes.  A few burbot are being caught around Duck Creek by anglers fishing for perch and walleye.  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: Rainbow action has been pretty consistent in the Causeway area while using various colored jigs tipped with maggots or crawlers 6 to 10 feet below the ice and also while using streamer flies in open water. Some larger perch are being found in Lake Helena and near the power lines in the Causeway Arm while jigging dead minnows or rattling jigs near the bottom. 12-14 inches of ice has been reported.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: A few rainbows and burbot are being picked up at the Gates of the Mountains while using various jigs with crawlers or ice flies in 8 to10 feet of water. Perch fishing has been excellent with good numbers being found out from Log Gulch, Departure Point, the Prairie Dog Town, and the BLM boat ramp while using multi-colored Hali or similar jigs and maggots near the bottom in 30 to 50 feet of water. 8-10 inches of ice has been reported.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee and perch fishing has slowed down recently, but some are still being found while using Hali or Sweedish Pimple type ice jigs tipped with red maggots or corn near the bottom in 25 to 35 feet of water. 12-14 inches of ice has been reported.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

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