The Helena-Area Hookup for 5.26.26: Walleyes Waking Up, Trout on the Tear

The weather is warming up, and so is the bite across Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter reservoirs. Whether you are hunting for aggressive walleyes, looking to fill a limit of rainbows, or chasing late-afternoon kokanee, the fish are officially cooperating. From slow-death rigs on the south end to flies below the dam, here is where they are biting and what they are biting on.

• Canyon Ferry: Walleyes are turning on down south; rainbows are crushing spoons up north.
• Hauser: A diverse walleye bite is happening on Lake Helena, while the tailrace below Canyon Ferry Dam is a trout paradise.
• Holter: Multi-species madness is in full swing—expect great rainbow numbers, deep-dwelling kokanee, and bonus pike in the weeds.

Read on for the full breakdown from FWP experts Troy Humphrey and Chris Hurley:

Canyon Ferry: The weather has warmed up and the walleyes are on the bite.  The south end has provided great action, especially around Pond 4 and the mouth of the river in 10-15 feet of water while using crankbaits, bottom bouncers or slow-death rigs.  A few rainbows are being caught by walleye anglers on the south end with an occasional perch mixed in as well.  Rainbow action is good mid reservoir around White Earth and north to the dam while trolling crankbaits or colored spoons.  Carp action is picking up by both hook and line anglers and bow fishing.  Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: The Walleye bite has picked up again and some nice fish are being caught out on Lake Helena, inside the Causeway arm, and around the Eldorado tailings. Most anglers are having luck while trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses, crankbaits, or casting various jigs tipped with worms or leeches. Rainbow fishing has been great below Canyon Ferry Dam while using nightcrawlers and marshmallows or fly fishing with nymphs, balanced leeches, or Wooly Buggers. Trolling cowbells and wedding rings tipped with worm pieces between White Sandy and the Powerlines has been producing a few rainbows as well.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: The Gates of the Mountains continues to produce good numbers of rainbows while using balanced leeches, midge nymphs, or Wooly Buggers. Trout anglers on the lower end of the reservoir are doing well near Split Rock and Black Beach while trolling Rapalas, cowbells and nightcrawlers, or Thomas lures. A few nice kokanee are being caught near the Dam while trolling dodgers and hoochies or wedding rings. Kokanee anglers fishing during the late afternoon hours have been doing best, and most fish are being picked up while trolling between 15 and 40 feet deep. A few Walleye are being caught while jigging with crawlers or trolling bottom bouncers and worm harnesses around the Clay Banks. A few perch are being caught throughout the reservoir with small jigs and worms. A few northern pike are being caught around various weed beds between the Gates of the Mountains and Ming Bar while casting various spinners and spoons.   Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena