Dave Sedlock

Anglers are reminded that ice conditions can be extremely variable. Ice thickness can range from thick enough to support a vehicle to open water. Extreme caution should be used when accessing the ice.

Canyon Ferry: Rainbows are being caught 15-20 feet deep out from Broadwater Bay and around Confederate while using spoons or brown or black jigs with worms or maggots. Walleye and perch are being caught mid reservoir out from Confederate in 40-50 feet of water while using yellow or green Hali jigs or spoons tipped with nightcrawlers or maggots. Burbot are also being caught on the bottom by anglers using walleye and perch rigs with bait. Stay away from the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir. There is over 20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 18-20 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: Some larger perch are being found out on Lake Helena while using green or black Hali jigs with maggots or crawlers. An occasional burbot is being found from the Causeway Arm to Black Sandy while using cut bait near the bottom. The Causeway Bridge and Black Sandy area is producing some nice rainbows while using various colored jigs or ice flies tipped with crawlers 6 to 10 feet below the ice. 12-15 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: The perch bite continues to be great and good numbers of perch and an occasional walleye are being found out from Log Gulch, Departure Point, the Prairie Dog Town, and the BLM boat ramp while using multi-colored Hali or glow jigs and maggots near the bottom in 35 to 45 feet of water. A few rainbows and an occasional burbot are being picked up at the Gates of the Mountains while using various ice flies tipped with crawlers in shallow for trout or cut bait near the bottom for Burbot. 10 inches of ice has been reported with some slush and water on top. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: A few kokanee and perch are being picked up while using Hali or Sweedish Pimple type ice jigs tipped with red maggots or corn in 20 to 45 feet of water. 13-15 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Dave Sedlock

Canyon Ferry: Rainbows are being caught 10-15 feet deep out from the Silos and around Duck Creek while using pink marshmallows, spawn sacks or ping or red jigs with worms or maggots. Walleye and perch are being caught out from Duck Creek in 35-45 feet of water while using green and silver or white and silver jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or maggots. Stay away from the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir. There is over 20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 18-20 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice, but it is pulling away from shore around Shannon. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: Some nice rainbows continue to be caught at the Causeway Bridge area and Black Sandy while using various colored jigs or ice flies tipped with crawlers 6 to 10 feet below the ice. A few perch are being found out on Lake Helena while using green or white Hali jigs with maggots or crawlers. An occasional burbot is being found from the Causeway Arm to Black Sandy while using cut bait near the bottom. 12-18 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: A few rainbows continue to be picked up at the Gates of the Mountains while using various ice jigs tipped with crawlers in shallow water. A few burbot are being caught while using cut bait near the bottom at night. The perch bite continues to be great and good numbers of perch and an occasional walleye are being found out from Log Gulch, Departure Point, the Prairie Dog Town, and the BLM boat ramp while using multi-colored Hali or glow jigs and maggots near the bottom in 25 to 45 feet of water. 10-12 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: A few kokanee and perch are being picked up while using Hali or Sweedish Pimple type ice jigs tipped with red maggots or corn in 16 to 35 feet of water. 14-18 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Dave Sedlock

Canyon Ferry: Rainbows are being caught 15 feet deep out from the Silos and around Duck Creek while using silver and pink or red jigs with worms or maggots. Walleye and perch are being caught between Duck Creek and Confederate in 35-45 feet of water while using pink, red or yellow Hali jigs or spoons with red hooks tipped with nightcrawlers, perch eyes or maggots. An occasional ling is being caught along with the perch and walleye on the bottom. Stay away from the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir. There is over 20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 18-20 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice, but it is pulling away from shore around Shannon. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: A few perch are being found out on Lake Helena while using white and pink Hali jigs with maggots or crawlers. Most rainbows continue to be caught at the Causeway Bridge area and Black Sandy while using various colored jigs or ice flies tipped with crawlers 6 to 8 feet below the ice. An occasional burbot is being found from the Causeway Arm to Black Sandy while using cut bait near the bottom. 16-18 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: Perch action continues to be great out from the BLM boat ramp, Log Gulch, and Departure Point while using Swedish Pimples, Halis or other flashy jigs and maggots near the bottom in 25 to 45 feet of water. Some nice rainbows are being caught at the Gates of the Mountains while using various ice jigs tipped with crawlers in shallow water. A few burbot are being caught while using cut bait near the bottom at night. The Gates of the Mountains has 10-12 inches of ice and the rest of Holter has around 15 inches of ice. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: A few kokanee and perch are being picked up while using Hali or Sweedish Pimple type ice jigs tipped with red maggots or corn in 16 to 45 feet of water. 16-18 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Chris Hurley
Hauser and Holter Fisheries Technician
Fisheries Division
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Dave Sedlock

Canyon Ferry: Rainbows, perch and walleye are being caught in 15 to 20 feet of water out from the Silos. The rainbows are being caught on silver and pink or red jigs with worms or maggots. Walleye and perch are being caught while using pink, red or yellow Hali jigs or spoons with red hooks tipped with nightcrawlers, perch eyes or maggots. An occasional ling is being caught along with the perch and walleye on the bottom. The Duck Creek to Confederate area has slow fishing overall. Stay away from the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir. There is over 20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 18-20 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: Some nice rainbows continue to be caught near the Causeway area and Black Sandy while using green or silver jigs or ice flies tipped with maggots or crawlers in 6 to 10 feet of water. An occasional burbot is being found in the Causeway Arm while using cut bait near the bottom. The Causeway area has 10-18 inches of ice and Lake Helena has 16-20 inches of ice. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: Perch fishing has been fantastic out from the BLM boat ramp, the Prairie Dog Town, Log Gulch, Departure Point and throughout most of the lower end of the reservoir while using Swedish Pimples, Halis or other jigs and maggots near the bottom in 20 to 45 feet of water. Some nice rainbows continue to be caught at the Gates of the Mountains while using various ice jigs tipped with crawlers in shallow water. A few burbot are being caught while using cut bait near the bottom at night. 12-16 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: kokanee action has picked up recently while using pink or green ice jigs, Halis or dodgers tipped with red maggots or corn in 20 to 45 feet of water. A few perch are being found while using smaller jigs and maggots near the bottom. 16-20 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Chris Hurley

Dave Sedlock

Canyon Ferry: Rainbows are being caught around Confederate and from Hole in the Wall to south of the Silos while using pink or orange jigs and worms. Perch and a few walleye are being caught north of the Silos to Hole in the Wall and around Duck Creek on bright colored jigs (white, chartreuse or pink) or lures with maggots or worms. Stay away from the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir. There is over 20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 18-20 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: A few rainbows continue to be caught out from Black Sandy and the Causeway area while using pink, green or silver jigs or ice flies tipped with maggots or crawlers in 6 to 10 feet of water. An occasional walleye and burbot is being found in the Causeway Arm while jigging near the bottom during the evening hours. 18 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: More rainbows are being picked up recently near the shorelines at the Gates of the Mountains and other public access points on the lower end of the reservoir while using pink or yellow ice jigs tipped with crawlers in 4 to 10 feet of water. Perch fishing continues to be great out from the BLM boat ramp, the Prairie Dog Town, Log Gulch, Departure Point and throughout most of the lower end of the reservoir while using Swedish Pimples, Halis or other jigs and maggots near the bottom in 20 to 40 feet of water. A few burbot and northern pike are being caught at the Gates of the mountains area while using larger jigs with crawlers, cut bait or hot dogs. 15 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee action has been great recently while using red, pink, or green ice jigs, Halis or dodgers tipped with red maggots or corn in 30 to 40 feet of water. A few perch are being found while using smaller jigs and maggots near the bottom. 18 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Dave Sedlock

Canyon Ferry: Rainbow fishing is good around the Silos in 10-15 feet of water while using white or chartreuse jigs or spoons tipped with nightcrawlers or wax worms. Rainbows, walleye and perch are being caught from the north Silos to Hole in the Wall in 35-45 feet of water while using white, green or chartreuse jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or wax worms. An occasional burbot is being caught on the bottom as well. Be careful around the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir. There is over 20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 18-20 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: A few rainbows continue to be caught out from the Causeway and Black Sandy area while using pink, or green jigs tipped with maggots or crawlers in 6 to 10 feet of water. An occasional burbot is being found in the Causeway Arm while using cut bait near the bottom during the evening hours. Up to 15 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: Perch continue to be the main attraction and good numbers are being found all over the lower end of the reservoir while using Hali jigs, Swedish Pimples, or other jigs and maggots near the bottom in 20 to 40 feet of water. Rainbows are cruising the shorelines and are hitting yellow or pink ice jigs tipped with crawlers in 4 to 10 feet of water. A few burbot and northern pike are being caught at the Gates of the mountains area while using cut bait or larger jigs with crawlers. Up to 15 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: The Kokanee bite has been pretty good while using red, pink, or green Hali jigs, tipped with red maggots or corn in 25 to 40 feet of water. A few perch are being found while using the same equipment near the bottom. Up to 15 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Chris Hurley

Hauser and Holter Fisheries Technician

Fisheries Division

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Dave Sedlock

March 14-2023

Canyon Ferry: Rainbow fishing is good around the Silos in 10-15 feet of water while using white or chartreuse jigs or spoons tipped with nightcrawlers or wax worms. Rainbows, walleye and perch are being caught from the north Silos to Hole in the Wall in 35-45 feet of water while using white, green or chartreuse jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or wax worms. An occasional burbot is being caught on the bottom as well. Be careful around the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir. There is over 20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 18-20 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: A few rainbows continue to be caught out from the Causeway and Black Sandy area while using pink, or green jigs tipped with maggots or crawlers in 6 to 10 feet of water. An occasional burbot is being found in the Causeway Arm while using cut bait near the bottom during the evening hours. Up to 15 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: Perch continue to be the main attraction and good numbers are being found all over the lower end of the reservoir while using Hali jigs, Swedish Pimples, or other jigs and maggots near the bottom in 20 to 40 feet of water. Rainbows are cruising the shorelines and are hitting yellow or pink ice jigs tipped with crawlers in 4 to 10 feet of water. A few burbot and northern pike are being caught at the Gates of the mountains area while using cut bait or larger jigs with crawlers. Up to 15 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: The Kokanee bite has been pretty good while using red, pink, or green Hali jigs, tipped with red maggots or corn in 25 to 40 feet of water. A few perch are being found while using the same equipment near the bottom. Up to 15 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Chris Hurley

Hauser and Holter Fisheries Technician

Fisheries Division

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Dave Sedlock

Canyon Ferry: The Silos area continues to produce the best fishing for rainbows, perch and walleye while using pink, chartreuse or perch colored jigs tipped with maggots, wax worms or nightcrawlers in 10-20 feet of water. Spawn sacks and salted dead minnows are also producing a few fish with an occasional burbot being caught on the bottom as well. Be careful around the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir. There is over 20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 18-20 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: A few rainbows are hitting on leech or egg pattern flies in open water near the Causeway Bridge and out from Black Sandy while using green or pink jigs tipped with maggots or crawlers 6 to 10 feet below the ice. 15 to 18 inches of ice has been reported and is accessible at Black Sandy, the Causeway and Lake Helena. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: Perch fishing has been great and good numbers continue to be found all over the lower end of the reservoir while using Hali jigs, Swedish Pimples, or other jigs and maggots near the bottom in 20 to 30 feet of water. An occasional walleye is being picked up while searching for perch. The rainbow bite has been good, and fish are hitting pink jigs, nightcrawlers or spawn sacks in 4 to 10 feet of water along the shorelines near most of the public access points. Up to 15 inches of ice has been reported but some of the shorelines are beginning to break up, so use caution. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: The Kokanee bite has been pretty good while using pink, or green Hali jigs, tipped with maggots or corn in 15 to 40 feet of water. A few perch are being found while using the same equipment near the bottom. The ice is beginning to melt along the shorelines, but there is still plenty of ice if it can be accessed. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Chris Hurley
Hauser and Holter Fisheries Technician
Fisheries Division
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks