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: Rainbows are being caught 15 feet deep out from the Silos and around Duck Creek while using silver and pink or red jigs with worms or maggots. Walleye and perch are being caught between Duck Creek and Confederate in 35-45 feet of water while using pink, red or yellow Hali jigs or spoons with red hooks tipped with nightcrawlers, perch eyes or maggots. An occasional ling is being caught along with the perch and walleye on the bottom. Stay away from the pressure ridges on the south end of the reservoir. There is over 20 inches of ice from the Silos down to the ponds, 18-20 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice, but it is pulling away from shore around Shannon. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena
Hauser: A few perch are being found out on Lake Helena while using white and pink Hali jigs with maggots or crawlers. Most rainbows continue to be caught at the Causeway Bridge area and Black Sandy while using various colored jigs or ice flies tipped with crawlers 6 to 8 feet below the ice. An occasional burbot is being found from the Causeway Arm to Black Sandy while using cut bait near the bottom. 16-18 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Holter: Perch action continues to be great out from the BLM boat ramp, Log Gulch, and Departure Point while using Swedish Pimples, Halis or other flashy jigs and maggots near the bottom in 25 to 45 feet of water. Some nice rainbows are being caught at the Gates of the Mountains while using various ice jigs tipped with crawlers in shallow water. A few burbot are being caught while using cut bait near the bottom at night. The Gates of the Mountains has 10-12 inches of ice and the rest of Holter has around 15 inches of ice. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: A few kokanee and perch are being picked up while using Hali or Sweedish Pimple type ice jigs tipped with red maggots or corn in 16 to 45 feet of water. 16-18 inches of ice has been reported. Chris Hurley, FWP, Helena
