Helena Area Reservoirs Ice Fishing Report 1.9.23
By angelamontana

Posted: January 9, 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 15-20 feet deep, from the Silos to Hole in the Wall and at Duck Creek while using assorted flashers and worms.  Walleye and perch are being caught around Hole in the Wall and Duck Creek in 30 feet of water while using jigs or red hooks 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: Rainbow trout continue to be picked up in the Causeway area while using various colored jigs tipped with maggots or crawlers in around 10 feet of water. Black Sandy is also producing a few rainbows while using the same equipment. No report for perch or walleye. There is up to 15 inches of ice near the Causeway and on Lake Helena. Black Sandy has up to 10 inches of ice.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: Perch action has been great, and most are being found on the lower end of the reservoir while using Hali jigs and maggots near the bottom in 35 to 45 feet of water out from Departure Point, Log Gulch, and the BLM boat ramp. A few rainbows are being picked up in the bays near the shorelines. Most are being caught while using various jigs or ice flies with maggots or crawlers 6 to 10 feet below the ice. The BLM ramp has up to 8 inches, Log Gulch has up to 10 inches and Departure Point has up to 11 inches of ice.    Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: A few Kokanee are being picked up while jigging Hali or Sweedish Pimple type ice jigs tipped with maggots or corn 25 to 35 feet of water. An occasional perch is being caught while using the same equipment near the bottom. 12-14 inches of ice has been reported.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

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