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4/27/2026
Canyon Ferry: It was a slow weekend due to the weather. A few rainbows are being caught from shore on the north end while using leech pattern flies, black nymphs or hook and worm. Boat anglers are picking up rainbows on the north end or in the Silos area while trolling with cowbells or crankbaits. Walleyes are being caught between Pond 1 and the river and from Duck Creek to Confederate in 10 to 15 feet of water while bottom bouncing with a worm or using crankbaits. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: The weekend was cold and windy and not many anglers were out fishing. There has been decent rainbow action below Canyon Ferry Dam while using nightcrawlers, Power Bait, or flies imitating eggs or scuds. A few rainbows are being picked up from shore around York Bridge as well with the same equipment. Not many boats were out on Lake Helena or on Hauser this weekend, but a few rainbows are being caught while trolling cowbells and wedding ring combos between York Bridge and Black Sandy. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: The cooler weekend kept most anglers away however the rainbow fishing continues to be great from shore around most of the public access points. There are still decent numbers of trout cruising the shorelines around The Gates of the Mountains area, the BLM boat ramp, and Log Gulch. Egg flies and balanced leeches have been working well for fly anglers. Boaters are catching trout as well while trolling crankbaits or Thomas lures in the Black Beach and Split Rock areas. Walleye and perch fishing has been slow with the cooler temperatures. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
4/20/2026
Canyon Ferry: Rainbow fishing from shore has slowed a bit as they are moving away from shore. Some are still being caught around the Outhouse and Shannon while using leech pattern flies, black nymphs or hook and worm. Boat anglers are picking up rainbows on the north end or in the Silos area while fishing with walleye gear. Walleyes and an occasional perch are being caught between Pond 1 and the river in 10 to 15 feet of water while bottom bouncing with fire tiger or yellow spinner blades and a worm. Crankbaits and jigs with a worm have also produced walleyes on the south end of the reservoir. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: A few rainbow trout, walleye, and perch are being caught in Lake Helena, from the Causeway Bridge and inside the Causeway Arm when the wind conditions have allowed anglers to get out on the water. Trolling bottom bouncers and spinner rigs, Crankbaits, or cowbells has been working well, and shore anglers are having luck with nightcrawlers on a floating jig, Power Bait, Various spinners, or flies. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: Rainbow action has been HOT! The Gates of the Mountains area on the upper end of the reservoir has been a great spot to find a lot of trout. The BLM boat ramp as well as Log Gulch campground area and Departure Point have been great spots to fish if you are closer to Holter Dam. Some angers are catching a few trout while using worms and marshmallows, Power Bait, or casting spinners however fly fishing has been by far the most productive way to catch a lot of fish. Egg flies, balanced leeches, or San Juan worms have been working well. Boat anglers are catching a few trout while trolling crankbaits or cowbells throughout the reservoir when the wind conditions have allowed access. Walleye and perch fishing has been pretty slow in comparison but look for this to turn on with the warming water temperatures. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Christopher Hurley | Fisheries Technician
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks | Region 4
1534 9th Avenue
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620-0701
Office: (406) 495-3272
1 Comment
Dave Sedlock
2025-12-30 at 8:19 pmIce is still unstable in the Helena area. Need a few more weeks of hard freeze.