Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Helena Area Fishing Report

May 4, 2010

Canyon Ferry: Fishing for rainbows continues to be hot despite the current weather system moving through Montana. Brave anglers are having great success on the North end of the reservoir in nearly every bay, but Shannon, Court Sherriff, Cave Bay and Chinamen’s continues to be the best. Flies continue to produce the best bite (San Juan worm, prince nymph, copper john and wooly buggers), but anglers are also having good results with worms, spawn sacks, Power Bait, jigs, spinners and Rapalas. Once this storm system subsides, look for the bite to really pick up. The walleye bite continues to be slow because they are concentrating on spawning and not feeding. Look for the bite to pick up over the next few weeks. Pitching jigs, pulling bottom bouncers and trolling cranks is picking up a few walleye. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena

Hauser: The unsettled weather has turned the rainbows off. A few are being picked up from shore on egg sacks at the Causeway Bridge, York Bridge and Riverside. Lake Helena has been producing some small walleye while trolling perch colored crankbaits or bottom bouncers with worms. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena *NOTE: Lake Helena ramp is not deep enough to launch large boats.

Holter: Rainbow fishing is still providing some good action. Shore fishing around Log Gulch and Holter Lake Ramps is producing rainbows while using beadhead nymphs or egg sacks. Boat anglers are doing well while trolling olive or gray crankbaits in 5 to 15 feet of water throughout the reservoir. Walleye fishing is slow. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: No Report. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena