Anglers are successfully catching kokanee in the Regulating Reservoir, especially during morning and evening hours. The preferred method involves trolling wedding rings with scented corn, using colors like chartreuse, pink, or orange. Fish are being found at depths ranging from 10 to 35 feet, with a speed of 1.0 to 1.2 mph recommended.

Fishing below Canyon Ferry Dam remains slow for walleye and mediocre for trout, though zonkers and worms can help. Spokane Bay shows some promise with anglers trolling crankbaits in deeper waters. Walleye catch rates are decent off rock piles, while fewer pike updates are available. The Regulating Reservoir has seen moderate success with trolling and vertical jigging.

Jonathan Miller shares summer fishing tactics for local waters, emphasizing Hauser Lake where trout thrive in deep water with specific crank bait patterns. Walleye patrol shorelines, using jigs and slip bobbers effective, while active pike chase bait near weeds. Lake Helena has fishing difficulties due to weeds, and kokanee fishing remains decent at the Regulating Reservoir.

As summer heats up, local fishing patterns are shifting. Success depends on depth, color, and adapting to vegetation. Below Canyon Ferry Dam, fishing is slow, while Walleye are biting better at the Causeway using various baits. Kokanee fishing is decent at Regulating Reservoir, with specific colors improving catches.

Spring fishing in the Helena valley is improving, with notable action in Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter lakes. Anglers report success with various baits as fish awaken and prepare to spawn.

Final winter fishing report for Helena-area reservoirs before updates resume in April. Ice is highly variable and can change fast, and Canyon Ferry’s south end is seeing expanding open water that’s undermining nearby ice—use extreme caution on any ice.

Montana FWP’s latest Helena-area reservoir update: ice is extremely variable, with open water in spots. Here’s where anglers are finding rainbows, walleye, perch, kokanee, and burbot—plus what’s being used and where conditions are unsafe.

Anglers should exercise caution due to varying ice conditions. Fishing yields include rainbows at Canyon Ferry and Helena Valley, while Hauser and Holter have mostly open water and unstable ice.