05/21/2026
HELENA AREA FISHING REPORT 5/21/26
🎣Canyon Ferry 🌊
Fishing switched off a bit with the rain and cool temps, but a temporary pause on the hot bite for this rain I would say is well worth it! The good news is that once the water temps from all the rain and some runoff warm back up, the bite should come back strong! The walleye were biting very well on the south end of Canyon Ferry. Crank baits were still the strongest performers with perch, crawdad and gold patterns. I find the best results land between a troll speed of 1.5mph to 2.0mph. With the brighter days and water temps coming up (again), bottom bouncing will become the tactic of choice. If you want to get started early, try 10’ of water first and keep working deeper until the fish are found. Generally, fire tiger, chartreuse, blue, purple and sometimes black/gold are the colors of choice.
Mid lake to the north end still has plenty of fishing. Trolling cow bells with a trolling spoon in gold, rainbow or silver is a safe starting point. Otherwise, deeper diving crank baits in similar colors are a good alternative. Generally for trout, especially active feeding fish, my trolling speed lands between 1.5mph and 2.5mph depending on the fish’s attitude that day. We are also getting to the point where we should see walleye starting to disperse across the whole lake. My go to tactic is to cast natural colored paddle-tails on a 1/4oz jig head up shallow and work it back.
Lake elevation is 9.4 feet below full pool for 83.4% full. Inflow is up to 4647cfs.
🛶Hauser🌲
The bite window is still in effect for the fish below Canyon Ferry Dam, catching is still happening, although it has not been hot action. With this extra moisture keep an eye on the spillway/tubes. If those open up, you will want to give it 24 hours then get there ASAP. My best days of fishing below the dam have always been after the current picks up from the spillway/tubes. So here’s hoping those gates open soon. I usually do best on white or perch patterns on a 1/4oz or 3/8oz jig head. Rainbow or minnow colors can also be deadly.
Causeway is still fishing decent. I wouldn’t say it’s hot action, but they are biting. At this point, the peak you will want to look for is by watching the water temp in Lake Helena. Once that hits low to mid 70’s the walleye become uncomfortable and begin migrating out of Lake Helena to deeper water. If you can hit that window, the fishing can be off the charts!
I still don’t have any answers for the pike giving us all the attitude. I am hoping as we get warmer weather and fresh w**d growth, the bite will turn on.
🌄Holter🦅
Walleye are definitely through their spawn now at the Gates of the Mountains. As has been the case this spring thus far, the quantity has maintained being on the slow side, but thankfully the quality makes up for it! I’ve been hearing of more mid 20" fish being caught this year than I have in recent years. Drop shotting or ned rigs are still my favorite baits to be using in goby, minnow or perch patterns, but slow rolling a worm on a short shanked hook right on the bottom can be incredibly effective. The pike are still biting in that area fairly well, so to help mitigate lure loss, I recommend tying on a fine titanium or steel leader. Heavy weight fluorocarbon leader is also relatively effective as well.
Not much has changed in Lower Holter from the previous week. Fishing is still decent for trout, trolling wedding rings in 20’ to 25’ of water at 1.2mph to 1.5mph. I have yet to hear anything on kokanee yet but there should be some cruising at the same depth for now until turnover.
🌅Lake Helena🎣
The water temp drop has affected Lake Helena as well. But like the south end of Canyon Ferry, thankfully it’s only temporary. However, w**d growth is starting in areas so crank baits are liable to get gummed up. But for those trying to take advantage of the lake before it becomes nearly unfishable, yellow perch is still the #1 crankbait color. But on the right day, purple tiger, blue tiger or a fire tiger pattern will put lots of fish in the boat. The other thing to watch is the water temps. After about 70 degrees the walleye start getting a bit too uncomfortable and will begin to leave for deeper water. With the rain showers and cool temp bursts that will prolong that window.
💧Regulating Reservoir⛵
Unfortunately I still have yet to talk to hardly anyone fishing the Regulating Reservoir. With these rain showers and cool temps, the fish should be maintaining in that 30’ to 35’ foot range. Trolling a orange or chartreuse wedding ring with some corn at around 1.2mph should prove effective. If you want to switch it up, try jigging a small Swedish pimple in pink or silver or a silver Kastmaster is my go to.
🌊Missouri River (Holter to Great Falls)🛶
Unfortunately, as of this posting, the river flows have yet to see any help from the rain fall in this stretch. Flows are staying around 3700cfs which is well below average. The trout bite is moody, but for those that get it figured out, the rewards are great! Sounds like we are a bit in between bug seasons so it can be tricky. Small olive nymph patterns across the board seem to be the best performers and there has been some top water action on BWO’s and a bit of Caddis action.
🚣Missouri River (Great Falls to Ft. Peck)🏡
This stretch is thankfully seeing some help from the moisture across the state. Paddle Fishing has picked up a bit. I am hearing of slower catch rates, but guys are starting to catch. The lower sections are definitely performing better. Slippery Anne and UL Bend seem to be the hot spots. I am also hearing of a few fish being caught at Fred Robinson. After about 9,000cfs, Fred Robinson starts getting really good! So we will see if we get to that point. If paddle fishing proves slow, I am hearing that the catfishing is doing good. Not great, but guys are catching fairly consistently.
Best of luck out there! If you need anything or have any questions please swing on by or give us a call!
Enjoy the holiday weekend.
-Jonathan
