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Echo Lake, Bigfork – Even with plenty of anglers on the ice, Lake Superior whitefish are biting. They can be caught in about 18-22 feet of water while pulling a small worm tipped spoon. People have also been getting into some kokanee, perch and pike. – Ray Ward, Kalispell
Holter deposit – Perch action has been excellent with most being on the lower end of the reservoir while using Hali rigs and lakes near the bottom in 35-45 feet of water from the point of exit, Log Gulch and the BLM boat ramp. A few rainbows are being caught in the bays near the shores. Most are being caught while using various machines or ice flies with worms or crawlers 6 to 10 feet below the ice. The BLM ramp has up to 8 inches, Log Gulch up to 10 inches, and the trailhead has up to 11 inches of ice. —FWP, Helena
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Around western Montana
Lake Ashley – About 5 inches of ice has been reported around most of the lake. People have had success targeting kokanee. — Chancy and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen
Canyon Ferry Depot – Rainbows are being caught 15-20 feet deep from the silos to Hole in the Wall and Duck Creek while using flashers and assorted worms. Walleye and perch are being caught around Hole in the Wall and Duck Creek in 30 feet of water while using rigs or red hooks tipped with worms, maggots or perch eyes. 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
Hauser Reservoir – Rainbow trout continue to be picked up in the Causeway area while using various colored rigs tipped with worms or crawlers in about 10 feet of water. Black Sandy is also producing a few rainbows while using the same equipment. There have been no reports of perch or walleye. There is up to 15 inches of ice near the Causeway and on Lake Helena. Black Sandy has up to 10 inches of ice. —FWP, Helena
Regulatory reservoir of the Helena Valley – A few Kokanee are being caught while jigging Hali or Swedish Pimple type ice jigs tipped with worms or corn in 25-35 feet of water. An occasional perch is being caught while using the same gear near the bottom. 12-14 inches of ice reported. —FWP, Helena
Down Stillwater – You will find good perch fishing all year round in this area, even when there is a lot of ice like now. Targeting depths between 12 and 18 feet with a small worm-tipped tungsten jig should produce a bite if the fish are hungry. – Ray Ward, Kalispell
Down Thompson – If you’re looking for variety, this is the place. Perch, rainbow trout and kokanee can be enjoyed on any given day. — Chancy and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen
Lake Rodgers – “A lot” of ice has been reported and early morning will be the best option against the grayling and cutthroat. Most fishing methods can fool these gullible species, especially graylings, into biting if they are looking for food. — Chancy and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen
Swan Lake – The part of the lake next to the highway has given the best results. This area has about 5 inches of ice and anglers have been catching some lakers and kokanee. — Chancy and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen
Upper Thompson – Smaller perch and nice pike have been the name of the game. Some of the pike taken recently eclipsed 15 pounds. The ice on the Upper and Lower Thompson is much better than the ice on the Middle Thompson. So be careful if you try Middle. — Chancy and Dave’s Fish Camp, Evergreen
Whitefish Lake – The town beach area has about 6-8 inches of ice and the lake trout have been on the chew. Successful anglers have been catching Macks in about 40-60 feet of water. – Ray Ward, Kalispell
Video courtesy of Wyoming Game and Fish
Matthew Kiewiet is the managing editor of The Montana Standard.
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