Whether you’re shaking off the last of the winter rust or you’ve been counting down the minutes until the ice clears, spring is officially making its move on the Helena valley waters. We’re still doing a little rain dance for those inflow numbers—but the fish are definitely starting to wake up and smell the lures. From temperamental pike holding onto their eggs at Hauser to some “phenomenal” quality walleye making moves through the Gates, there’s plenty of action if you know where to drop a line. Grab your thermos and your lucky hat; here’s the dirt from Capital Sports on where they’re biting and what they’re hitting as of April 9th.
‘HELENA AREA FISHING REPORT APRIL 9th: Canyon Ferry, Hauser, Holter & More!
Canyon Ferry
There has been a noted change in catch rate on the north end for rainbows. Still good fishing to be had but it has slowed down. Use a 1/8oz zonker or marabou if you’re casting and a balanced leech if fly fishing. The south end is still getting going for walleye. There are definitely fish being caught by the ponds and river delta on crack baits and bottom bouncers. Spring flows have not started in any serious manner yet with inflow to canyon ferry at about 3900cfs and about 4200cfs at toston dam with a long term average of about 4600cfs. Pray for moisture.Hauser Lake
Walleye are still being caught at the causeway by folks floating a worm out jogging on the bottom. There have been some reports of notable perch action in the causeway arm as well. Walleyes are also being caught below Canyon Ferry Dam but without the tubes open and some serious current the walleye remain spread out across the channel and harder to catch consistently. Best bet is a 1/4oz to 3/8oz jig head with a 3” paddle tail. Typically white, perch and black gold colors work best and it will depend on the day as to which color fires particularly well.
Pike are also being caught from lakeside down the lake in various areas though proving to be temperamental. I did confirm with a fellow fisherman that kept one from his trip last week that there were still eggs present in the fish. Pre spawn patterns may still be present. Husky jerks worked slowly off of rocky shelf points out back of bays will be your best bet.
Lastly the rainbow fishing continues to be strong from Canyon Ferry Dam to Spokane Bay. The epicenter from what I was seeing landed right around Eagle Bay but observed many anglers catching within that whole stretch. Trolling deeper diving crank baits in the channel should yield some action but so far zonkers and marabou are still my top performing baits.Holter Lake
The Gates of the Mountains are still fishing strong for rainbows. Both shore fishermen and boats are catching. Still using zonkers over marabou jigs for the best casting action, but light weight spoons are also working. If you’re throwing a fly pill, poppers are producing fish, as well as lightning bugs or similar nymph patterns. Keep an eye out for any emerges on these warmer days.
Walleye seem to be on the move through gates to their spawning areas. Action hasn’t been hot but the quality of fish I have been seeing has been phenomenal! It sounds like with these movements lower Holter has slowed down. Typically I would start looking by cottonwood creek and that whole stretch of you are launching on the lower portion of the lake. Drop shots with a perch pattern usually treat me well this time of year if you can find where the fish are congregated but off you want to cover some water using a heavy bottom bouncer in deeper water was a secret tactic from last year that produced some fish. Fishing below Hauser dam sounds like it’s starting. Best way I have found to fish and not loose a whole tackle box to snags is using smaller husky jerks in slow water or swirls or casting a feeling a shake water crank bait.
Pike are still being caught, butit seems the catch rate has slowed slightly. Most anglers are catching the pike on their walleye or trout tackle. Best advice I have of you are getting bit off is to switch to using heavy fluro leaders. Even 12lb leader gives you a chance to land that pike without disrupting your trout or walleye baits very much.Lake Helena
Slow start this spring even with the water temps ranging from 46 to 52 degrees throughout the day. Walleye are still being caught. The milt from the males does indicate that they are in the middle of their spawn; or at the very least extremely close to spawn. Using the classic shallow swimming crank baits in any perch pattern still reigns supreme. Using a bottom bouncer can produce fish as well.Regulating Reservoir
News has been quiet this week from the regulating reservoir. Typically this time of year trolling a wedding ring between 20’ to 30’ water is the most effective. Keep an eye out on that canal inflow. Once that gets to flowing the Kokanee tend to respond well and hang out more on the east side of the lake with the inflow.Missouri River
Fly fishing is starting in full swing. Tons of anglers getting on the river and catching some nice rumbles with the occasional brown trout. Some dry fly action on these warmer days in the evenings using a blue winged olive (BWO) with the potential for March browns. The bread and butter though is still nymphing. Sow bugs, pill poppers, lightning bugs, scuds and zebra midges are all on the menu.
Best of luck to everyone, we would love to hear what you are having success with!