Whether you’re hunting down walleye on the bottom or pulling up rainbows from the top, the Missouri River reservoirs are absolutely buzzing right now—and even the carp are getting in on the action. From a booming walleye bite on Canyon Ferry and Hauser to a massive mixed-bag bonanza over on Holter, it is officially prime time to load up the boat, grab your favorite jigs or crankbaits, and hit the water. Here is the full breakdown from Montana FWP on where the fish are biting and what they’re hitting this week.
Canyon Ferry: Walleye fishing is starting to really get good between mid-reservoir and the south end. Trolling bottom bouncers with worm harnesses in 12-15 feet of water between Duck Creek and Pond 1 has been the most productive. White Earth to Round Top has produced good results as well with some anglers using jigs. Rainbows continue to be caught on the north end and around White Earth while trolling crankbaits, spoons or cowbells. Rainbows are also being caught while fishing for walleye. Shore fishing has produced both rainbows and walleyes on worms or jigs with a worm around Broadwater Bay and north of the Silos. The carp spawn is providing action for both bow fishing and hook and line. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Walleye fishing has been great on Lake Helena and inside the Causeway Arm. Trolling various crankbaits or using jigs tipped with worms or leeches has been working well for walleye. Carp have been spawning, and archers have been doing well. Rainbow fishing has been great while bank fishing below Canyon Ferry Dam with marabou jigs or Power Bait, and while trolling cowbells with nightcrawlers or a Wooly Worm, Crankbaits or silver spoons between Soup Creek and Black Sandy. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: The walleye bite has been good inside the Canyon near the Gates of the Mountains while using slip bobbers and leeches over top of the weed beds. The Clay Banks and some other bays on the west side of lower Holter have also been good spots to find a few walleye while jigging with night crawlers or trolling bottom bouncers and spinners. A few perch are being caught throughout the reservoir while searching for walleye. Trout fishing continues to be great throughout the reservoir while trolling cowbells with crawlers. Fly fishing with balanced leeches or midge nymphs on the upper end of the reservoir has been popular, and some anglers are catching a few trout from shore near the public boat ramps and from Departure Point. Kokanee anglers are catching a few fish near the Dam while trolling dodgers and hoochies or wedding rings at least 40 to 50 feet deep. A few northern pike are being caught around various weed beds between the Gates of the Mountains and Ming Bar while casting spoons or larger spinners. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena