Looking to hit the water this weekend? The bite is incredibly active right now across Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter reservoirs. From shallow-water walleye to deep-diving kokanee, here is the latest Montana FWP fishing report detailing exactly what’s working and where:
Canyon Ferry: Walleye fishing is really picking up with great action between Ponds 3 and 4, including the river mouth in 8-12 feet of water while using bottom bouncers with spinner blades or slow death rigs in purple, pink, orange or red colors. Around the Silos and north the walleye are being caught in 20 feet of water while using the same colors plus Lindy rigs in rainbow colors. From White Earth to Gull Island fire tire or orange crankbaits in 15-20 feet of water seems to be the ticket. Rainbows are being caught by walleye anglers or by those trolling cowbells or spoons on the north end. Shore fishing has produced both rainbows and walleyes on worms or jigs with a worm around the Silos and Goose Bay. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: The walleye bite has been great on Lake Helena and inside the Causeway Arm while trolling worm harnesses with perch-colored spinner blades, or crankbaits. Shore anglers are catching a few walleye from the Causeway Bridge with various jigs or slip bobbers with crawlers or leeches. A few nice trout are being caught below Canyon Ferry Dam while using streamer flies or nightcrawlers. Most rainbow trout are being caught while trolling out from Black Sandy and around York Bridge with cowbells and wedding rings or deep running orange or yellow crankbaits. A few northern pike are being caught near the Dredge Piles at Eldorado Bar, inside the Causeway Arm, and around Spokane Bay while casting spinners, spoons or crankbaits. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: Good numbers of rainbow trout are still being caught while using small nymphs near the Gates of the Mountains. Boat anglers searching for trout have been doing best while trolling flashers and spinner combos from Log Gulch to Split Rock. Some nice walleye and a few perch are being caught in some of the small weedy bays inside the Canyon, near Cottonwood Creek, and around the Clay Banks while pitching jigs and crawlers, trolling bottom bouncers and worm harnesses, or using slip bobbers and leeches. A few perch are being caught throughout the reservoir while searching for walleye. A few kokanee salmon are being found while trolling various flashers with wedding rings or Hoochies between the Dam and Juniper Bay. Most kokanee are being found around 50 feet deep. A few large northern pike are being caught while casting spinners or spoons around weed beds. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
