As summer patterns take hold, Jonathan Miller of Capital Sports in Helena brings us the latest look at conditions across our local Helena area waters. Rising summer sun and shifting flows are accelerating weed growth, meaning anglers will need to rely on precise presentations and tactical adjustments to keep their lines tight this weekend.
Whether you are looking to navigate the heavy weeds for Hauser’s transitioning walleye and trout, target deep-dwelling Kokanee at the Regulating Reservoir, or adapt to the thick vegetation locking down trolling lanes on Lake Helena, this week’s breakdown delivers the exact bait choices, depths, and colors you need before heading out:
Hauser
Fishing below Canyon Ferry Dam has been proving to be slow. Some fish are being caught, but not swiftly. If you are dead set on it, I would try a bobber and a leech or worm in any slow swirls. Jigs are usually effective, but with more sunlight from summer and slow flows the weeds are nearly impossible to work a bait in.Walleye are still biting at the Causeway, but it has been mediocre. Most fishing is happening with a slip bobber and worm or leech. A green/chartreuse or white paddle tail or ribbon tail jig is usually worth a try. The walleye are starting to show up all along the shore from York Bridge to Hauser Dam. My favorite approach is casting up shallow and jigging back to deep. Goby, perch or sungill patterns are my go-to colors on 1/4oz jig heads. I would also recommend tying on a 12lb+ fluorocarbon leader to help from loosing baits to hungry pike.
Pike should be coming out of their funk after spawn, I hope. I expect this to be the weekend when they start getting back to biting well and not giving so much attitude. I should have an accurate update on the bite next report.
Helena Regulating Reservoir
Kokanee fishing has been decent. There has been a noted slow down, but catching is still happening. Trolling a wedding ring around 35 feet of water is where I would start. Orange, pink or chartreuse are the safe choices. Sometimes black and chartreuse can produce fish if they aren’t biting anything else. A silver or pink spoon jigged at the same depth with corn can also produce fish.Lake Helena
I have confirmed that Lake Helena is getting weeded up too much to be trolling on. There are some pockets that could be fished, but it is all but over for trolling in.Reports by Jonathan Miller | Montana Outdoor Approved
Capital Sports Address: 1092 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 443-2978
Feature photo via Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks