The nasty weekend weather definitely kept the crowds away, but for the brave souls who layered up and headed out anyway, the fish were still biting. If you’re willing to brave the barometer swings and cold winds, here is where they’re biting (and what they’re hitting) on Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter.
Canyon Ferry: Very few anglers were out over the weekend due to poor weather conditions. Rainbows are being caught on the north end while trolling cowbells, spoons or rapalas. Rainbows are also being caught throughout the reservoir by walleye anglers using traditional gear. Walleyes were hard to come by with the changing barometer, however, fishing between the Silos and the Ponds and from Duck Creek to Confederate in 10-15 feet of water while using crankbaits, bottom bouncers or slow-death rigs is a good bet. Shore fishing is slow. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Not many anglers were out on the water this weekend due to the cold and windy conditions. Good numbers of rainbows continue to be caught below Canyon Ferry Dam while using plain crawlers, green Power Bait, or small streamer flies. Some anglers are catching a few rainbows from the Causeway Bridge with spawn sacks, and trolling cowbells and spinner combos between the Powerlines and Black Sandy has been producing some nice trout as well. A few walleye and an occasional perch is being picked up out on Lake Helena and inside the Causeway Arm while trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses, various jigs, or using slip bobbers and a crawler or leech. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: The foul-weather over the weekend kept a lot of anglers away, however good numbers of rainbows continue to be caught throughout most of the reservoir. Trout fishing has been great out from the Gates of the Mountains while using balanced leeches, midge nymphs, or spawn sacks. Trolling cowbells or dodgers with spinner combos tipped with worms or corn has been producing great numbers of trout and a few nice kokanee as well down near the Dam. Some anglers are using downriggers and trolling 50-60 feet deep, but using lead core line and fishing between 15 and 25 feet seems to be producing as well. A few Walleye, perch, and northern pike are being caught while pitching jigs and crawlers, or casting spinners, spoons or Rapalas around various weed beds or points from Willow Creek to Cottonwood Creek, and around other small bays and points on the lower end of the reservoir. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena