Jason Brendan, of Helena, Mont., pulled in this 24 pound Northern Pike.

Remember ice conditions can be extremely variable on the reservoirs, with a wide range of ice thickness.  Be careful out on the ice!

Canyon Ferry: Some open water conditions exist throughout the reservoir. However, ice conditions of 8 to 10 inches have been reported south of Confederate Bay and Hole-in-the-Wall. Rainbows are being caught around Pond 4 and Confederate Bay using jigs (black, green and pink) tipped with maggots or worms in 3 to 9 feet of water. Yellow perch are biting out from Duck Creek. Hali Jig’s and Swedish Pimple’s, tipped with maggots or worms and fished in 40 to 50 feet of water, are working well. A few walleye are being caught while searching for perch. No report for ling. Be safe around pressure ridges. (Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena.)

Hauser: Rainbow fishing is good from shore at the Causeway, York Bridge and Lakeside areas. Worms and marshmallows are the bait of choice. No report for perch or walleye. There is no safe ice – only open water fishing. (Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena)

Holter: Rainbow fishing is very good from shore at Gates of the Mountains, Holter Lake Ramp and Departure Point. A few boats are getting out and doing well for rainbows while trolling rapalas. No safe ice – only open water fishing. (Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena)

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee fishing has been very slow. There is 8”-10” of ice. (Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena)

Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report for the week of 1/9/2012, provided by Troy Humphrey  and Adam Strainer of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks