Walleye, rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon are all actively biting across Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter reservoirs. Whether you’re trolling deep water or vertical jigging the bays, here is the latest breakdown on depths, gear, and hot spots from FWP.
Canyon Ferry: Walleye fishing continues to provide great results throughout the reservoir. On the south end try from the Silos to Ponds 3 and 4 in 15 to 20 feet of water, mid reservoir try Beaver Creek Bay, Snaggy Bay and both shorelines up to Gull Island in 20 to 30 feet of water. The north end is producing in Hellgate Bay, Avalanche and off of points in the main reservoir. Bottom bouncers with slow-death rigs or worm harnesses in perch, purple or pink spinner blade colors. Various colored jigs and crankbaits have been working as well, especially on the north end. An occasional perch is being caught by anglers using walleye rigs in these same areas. Some anglers are finding rainbows while fishing with walleye gear, lures or cowbells in the traditional walleye spots as well as the north end of the reservoir between Avalanche and Cemetary Island while trolling cowbells or deep diving rapalas in green/yellow or blue/white colors. Shore fishing is slow. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Walleye fishing has been good in the Causeway arm, around the Eldorado tailings, and near other points and weed beds between York Bridge and Soup Creek. Trolling bottom bouncers with perch-colored spinner rigs has been working well. Some anglers are finding a few nice walleye while vertical jigging with dark-colored hair jigs. A few perch are being caught while fishing for walleye. Rainbow fishing continues to be good below Canyon Ferry Dam while using various streamers or nymphs. Trolling flashers and spinner combos tipped with worms has been producing good numbers of trout in the early morning while fishing around the cliffs across from Lakeside, between the powerlines and Black Sandy, and near the Dam. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: Some nice walleye and a few perch are being picked up on the lower end of the reservoir while vertical jigging or trolling slow death rigs around various points and weed beds. The Clay Banks and the Oxbow Bend area has been popular for walleye anglers, and some of the west shore bays and other weed beds in the Canyon are producing walleye while using slip bobbers and leeches. Kokanee fishing has been best during the early morning hours between Log Gulch and the Dam while trolling cowbells or dodgers with hoochies or wedding rings tipped with maggots or corn. Anglers are finding salmon while fishing between 40 and 90 feet deep. Rainbow fishing has been awesome while trolling cowbells and spinner combos between 15 and 40 feet deep across from Cottonwood Creek and between Split Rock and the Dam. Anglers fly fishing on the upper end of the reservoir are catching some nice trout with dark-colored nymphs or streamers. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
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