From Montana FWP: Ice fishing is a great (and we’d say, the best) way to get out and spend the day in the winter. But remember, no ice is 100% safe and no fish, no matter how big, is worth your life. Meet FWP’s Stacy Schmidt (crab hunter by night, ice safety technician by day) and her Lewis and Clark Search and Rescue team.
The best options
Lake Ashley – The kokanee bite has been great in 60-80 feet of water, with limits reported by several people. The fish are averaging about 12-14 inches and are being taken during the morning on Hali rigs and big worm tipped Swedes. 6-8 inches of ice reported. – Ray Ward, Kalispell
Canyon Ferry Depot – A few rainbows are being caught 15-22 feet deep around Duck Creek on pink, brown or black rigs with worms or maggots. Walleye and perch are being caught in the mid-reservoir between Hole in the Wall to Confederate and Duck Creek in 35-45 feet of water while using red, black or orange Hali jigs or spoons tipped with worms, worms or perch eyes. Anglers fishing for perch and walleye are catching a few flounder around Duck Creek. Stay away from the pressure ridges at the south end of the reservoir. There is 18-20 inches of ice from the silos to the ponds, 10-15 inches of ice around Duck Creek and the north end has 3-5 inches of ice. – FWP, Helena
Around western Montana
Beaver Lake – The ice is about 12-14 inches thick and people are catching some nice whitefish. – Chancey and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen
Clark Canyon Reservoir – Fishing has been steady in the early morning for trout in depths of 7 to 12 feet on the south and west ends of the lake, respectively. Have a few different lures in your arsenal. Eggs, worms, night crawlers and dyed corn on a small tungsten jig are all on the menu. The bite seems to slow down considerably in the early afternoon so be sure to get out early. Try to find a steep descent; this usually indicates that you have found one of the river or source channels. Ling are picked up sporadically at depths ranging from 10 to 25 feet. Try sucker meat or night crawls after sunset. – Frontier Anglers, Dillon
Flathead Lake – A few pike have been caught in Somers Bay recently. You want to fish a whole smelt in 20 feet of water or less for these slimy predators. Sometimes a hot dog does the trick. – Ray Ward, Kalispell
Hauser Reservoir – Rainbow trout action has been fairly consistent in the Causeway area while using various colored rigs tipped with worms or crawled 6-10 feet below the ice and also using serpentine flies in open water In Lake Helena and near the power lines in the Causeway Arm some larger perch are being found while deadfishing or sounding near the bottom. 12-14 inches of ice reported. – FWP, Helena
Holter deposit – A few rainbows and burbot are being picked up in the Mountain Gates while using various rigs with crawlers or ice flies in 8-10 feet of water. Perch fishing has been excellent and good numbers have been found at Log Gulch, Departure Point, Prairie Dog Town and the BLM boat ramp while using multicolored Hali or similar rigs and worms near the bottom in 30- 50 feet of water. 8-10 inches of ice has been reported. – FWP, Helena
Regulatory reservoir of the Helena Valley – Kokanee and perch fishing has slowed recently, but a few are still being found while using Hali or Sweedish Pimple type ice rigs tipped with red worms or corn near the bottom in 25-35 feet of water 12-14 inches of ice reported. – FWP, Helena
Lake Georgetown – Anglers are having success catching cokans and trout in the mornings on rigs tipped with white worms in about 30-45 feet of water. There is currently about 18 inches of ice in Georgetown. – Duane’s IceFishing Rentals, Anaconda
Lake Mary Ronan – The kokanee have been hit or miss, but the perch bite has really picked up. Between 35 and 40 feet of water has been the go-to depth for successful anglers. If the fish pulls away from the Halis, switch to something smaller like a tungsten jig or a small spoon. A few rainbow trout have also made an appearance. – Chancey and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen
Little Bitterroot Lake – About 5-6 inches of ice can be found in the southern end. Kokanee are biting in 60-80 feet of water. Limits have been reported from time to time, but nothing consistent. Hali jigs and worm-tipped Swedish Pimples will be the ticket. – Chancey and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen
Silver Lake – People are getting kokanee bites during the morning hours on white worms. The ice is about 16 inches thick. Focus on the 30-45 foot range below the ice. – Duane’s IceFishing Rentals, Anaconda
Swan Lake – There is about 6 inches of ice on the east side of the lake adjacent to the highway. Some lake trout have been on the chew. Not much has been said about the kokanee. The south end can also be good for macs, pike and perch. If you can find a safe access point, the north end is also good for lakers and rainbow trout. – Chancey and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen
Whitefish Lake – Head to the state park for a late-night or late-night bite. Whitefish have been the popular species with the most bites in about 50 feet of water. Some solid lake trout counts can be had in 60-80 feet of water. – Chancey and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen.