September fishing has a little bit of everything going on right now. Walleyes are hanging deep, rainbows are keeping rods busy, kokanee are stacking up, and apparently nobody told the fish that summer vacation is pretty much over.
From Canyon Ferry to Hauser and Holter, there are plenty of reasons to sneak out for “just a couple hours.” Here’s where they’re biting, what they’re biting on, and how deep you’ll want to look.
Canyon Ferry: Walleye action is happening throughout the reservoir with the best area being north or south of White Earth. Try fishing in 20-25 feet of water while using bottom bouncers with spinner blades or slow death rigs tipped with a crawler. Crankbaits and jigs have been working as well. Colors being used include pink, blue, perch or crayfish. Rainbows are being caught throughout the reservoir with the best areas being around the dam and Cemetary Island and mid reservoir while trolling spoons, cowbells or crankbaits. Smallmouth bass continue to be caught on the north end around rocky areas while using jigs with a worm or crayfish colored crankbaits. Shore fishing is slow with a few rainbows being caught around White Earth and the north end. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Anglers are finding a few nice walleye between York Bridge and Soup creek, near the Eldorado dredge piles, and inside of the Causeway Arm while using perch-colored hair jigs, crawler harnesses, or slip bobbers and leeches. A few walleye and rainbow trout continue to be caught from the bridge with various jigs tipped with crawlers. Rainbow fishing has been good near Spokane Creek, along the cliffs across from Lakeside, and between Black Sandy and the Powerlines while trolling dodgers or cowbells with spinners. A few nice trout are being caught below Canyon Ferry Dam with various nymphs, jigs, or crawlers and a marshmallow. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: Some nice walleye and a few perch are being caught near Willow Creek, Cottonwood Creek, the Oxbow bend, and the Clay Banks while jigging with crawlers or soft plastics. An occasional northern pike is being picked up while casting spoons or lures along the weed lines. Rainbow fishing has been great throughout the reservoir while trolling flashers with wedding rings or dark-colored deep running Rapalas. Anglers using various nymphs or streamers between the Gates of the Mountains and American bar are finding some nice trout. A few kokanee continue to be picked up between Split Rock and the Dam while trolling dodgers and hoochies tipped with corn between 45 and 70 feet deep. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Snagging has been going well, and anglers are seeing larger fish this year. The snagging season for Kokanee Salmon opened on September 1st and will run through October 31st. Limits are 35 salmon daily with 70 in possession. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
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