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: Rainbow fishing continues to be great from the Silos to the ponds in 8-15 feet of water on ice flies or pink jigs tipped with worms or waxworms. Rainbows, perch and walleye are being caught in 50 to 60 feet of water around Hole in the Wall. Bright colored Glo hooks tipped with maggots or worms are working equally well. An occasional ling is being caught along with the perch and walleye on the bottom. There is 15 inches of ice around the Silos and Ponds, 16 inches at Hole in the Wall and Duck Creek, 10 inches at White Earth and 9 inches at Shannon. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: The rainbow bite has been great at the Causeway and out from Black Sandy while using small jigs tipped with maggots or crawlers. A few burbot, walleye and perch are being picked up near the Powerlines while jigging rattle spoons or using dead bait near the bottom. Fishing has been slow on Lake Helena. There is 9 to 10 inches of ice on Hauser and 10 inches or more on Lake Helena. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: Rainbow fishing has been awesome at the Gates of the Mountains however the ice is melting rapidly and will probably be gone soon. Using small rubber legged ice jigs with maggots or crawler pieces has been working well. The ice conditions on the lower end of the reservoir are now unsafe, so there are not many anglers out chasing perch anymore. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: The kokanee bite has been hot lately while jigging in 25 to 40 feet of water with Swedish Pimples or Halis jigs tipped with maggots or corn. A few perch are being caught with the same equipment while jigging near the bottom. There is 10 to 12 inches of ice. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
