FISHING REPORTS

For the most current Ice Fishing conditions and reports, please visit www.iceshanty.com

You can always find great information and weekly updated fishing reports from our great friends at Montana Outdoor Radio Show

9/8/2026

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

9/3/2026

Canyon Ferry: Walleye fishing has been a bit inconsistent with the latest weather patterns.  Anglers are finding walleyes around Ponds 3 and 4 and the river mouth, White Earth/Goose Bay area and around Hellgate and Avalanche with the best action coming from crankbaits or jigs with a worm.  Rainbows are being caught throughout the reservoir with the best areas being around the dam and Cemetary Island while trolling spoons, cowbells or crankbaits in deeper water.  Smallmouth bass are starting to be caught on the north end around rocky areas while using jigs with a worm.  Shore fishing is slow with a few rainbows being caught around White Earth and the north end.  Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Hauser: Walleye anglers are still finding a few fish while jigging with crawlers or using slip bobbers and leeches around the Eldorado dredge piles and between White Sandy and the powerlines inside of the Causeway Arm. A few walleye and rainbow trout are being caught from the bridge with jigs and crawlers. Anglers fishing below Canyon Ferry Dam are still catching a few trout with marabou jigs, various nymphs, or crawlers and a marshmallow. Trolling cowbells and wedding rings between White Sandy and the Dam and between York Bridge and Lakeside is also producing a few nice rainbows.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Holter: Good numbers of rainbows continue to be caught between the Gates of the Mountains boat ramp and American bar while fly fishing with small nymphs, callibaetis flies, or streamers. Trolling cowbells and wedding rings across from Cottonwood Creek, and between Split Rock and the BLM ramp has been producing great numbers of trout. A few walleye and perch continue to be picked up while jigging with crawlers around the weed beds inside of the Canyon, near the Oxbow Bend and around the Clay Banks on the lower end of the reservoir. A few kokanee are being caught near the Dam while trolling dodgers with hoochies tipped with corn between 50 and 70 feet deep.  Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena

Christopher Hurley | Fisheries Technician

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks | Region 4

1534 9^th Avenue

P.O. Box 200701

Helena, MT 59620-0701

Office: (406) 495-3272