Looking to hit Holter Reservoir this week? Kokanee salmon and walleye action is heating up across the lake. Here is the latest on-the-water breakdown and rigging advice from Jonathan Miller at Montana Outdoor Approved Capital Sports in Helena:
Holter:
Kokanee are getting better and better! I have been talking to a lot of guys that have been doing well. Not every day of course but there is more good days than bad days from everything I have heard. 60’ down is the depth that has been unanimous for everyone trolling. All with dodgers and a hoochie/squid. Various colors depending on the day and the mood of the fish. Don’t be afraid to use the bigger dodgers though. Keep the dodgers closer to the snap weight and tie the squid close. I would not tie a leader longer then 18” behind the flasher. In fact I would push it up to 12” to really get some movement out of the bait. 1.2mph is usually the magic number for speed but vary it until you find results. Also really target the early morning and evening time periods. I have heard little success from the mid-day window.
Walleye are biting well but in slightly different places. They are still hanging out around weed beds but in slightly deeper water and seem to prefer drop-offs whenever possible. There are some still in the weeds themselves but I have seen more success from the hard edges. They respond well to jigs with a worm but they haven’t been too afraid to chase down a jerk bait either. Perch patterns reign supreme. Hot perch, chrome perch, yellow perch, you name it. Amongst the walleye I have been able to find small schools of bigger perch as well. They aren’t everywhere but every so often I will find some. They are very willing to bite the same baits as the walleye but also a drop shot with a small plastic minnow or worm is very effective as well.
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