Fall fishing patterns are taking shape at Hauser Reservoir, bringing strong opportunities for walleye, trout and increasingly aggressive northern pike. Jonathan Miller of Capital Sports in Helena shares where the fish are moving, when they’re biting and which presentations are producing.
Walleye action is moving to the fall patterns. You can still find some fish in the weeds, but they are definitely starting to move out on to the rocky points, reefs and shorelines. Fish can be caught throughout the day, but it is definitively better in the evenings and mornings. They are responding very well to jerk baits. Silver, gold or perch patterns mostly. The other effective bait is a paddle tail on a jig head. Perch, Tennessee shad, Ayu colors are my go-to picks. Basically anything that could look like a small perch or minnow. 3” mainly, but don’t be afraid to throw a 4” bait. There can be some action in the Causeway as well. Both casting to share and bottom bouncing in the channel. Black/gold, green/chartreuse or any color with some orange in it are good picks. If you’re jigging I highly recommend tying on a heavy fluorocarbon, steel or titanium leader. The pike are getting very hungry and they are not shy about it, which if you are wanting to target them, now is a great time!
Trout are biting very well by Spokane Bay. Bart had a phenomenal day on marbou and zonker jigs. Perch, neon perch or river sculpin are usually the top performers. So I would work from Eagle Bay down to just past Spokane Bay if you want in on the trout action. Otherwise, from York Bridge to Hauser Dam is a good stretch to troll crankbaits or cowbells. Same colors as Canyon Ferry apply here. I have not heard anything about the kokanee. So either people aren’t catching or they are being very tight lipped.
Montana's outdoor week, in your inbox at 7am Friday.