Canyon Ferry Lake is a reservoir on the Missouri River near Helena, Montana and Townsend, Montana. It is Montana's third largest body of water, covering 35,181 acres (142 km²) and 76 miles (122 km) of shore (1). It was formed by the building of Canyon Ferry Dam, which was completed in 1954 and has been used for electricity, irrigation, and flood controls since.
Canyon Ferry Lake
Special Notices & Closures
Fishing report for the week of 10/28/2024
The walleye bite has really slowed down with a few being caught around the Silos, Duck Creek and the Ponds in 15-20 feet of water while using bottom-bouncers with flashers or crankbaits. Rainbow action is picking up throughout the reservoir while trolling cowbells, spoons or crankbaits. Shore anglers are catching a few rainbows at the Silos, Hellgate and Shannon on worms, flies or spoons.
| Size: | 33534.773 acres |
| Elevation: | 3799 ft |
| Status of the Fishery: | Canyon Ferry Reservoir continues to be one of the most popular angling destinations in the state of Montana for rainbow trout, walleye and yellow perch. Please be sure to check the current fishing regulations before you head out. Thanks! |
| Township/Range/Section: | 10N 1W 4 |
| Latitude/Longitude: | 46.43711 -111.52723 |
| FWP Region: | Region 3 Region 4 |
| County: | Broadwater • Lewis & Clark |
| Fishing District: | Central |
Click on rows to select them for use in other tabs.
| Waterbody | Section | Field Form Type | Date | Purpose | Species |
|---|
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams
| Species | Count | Avg | StdDev | Min | Max | AvgWgt | StdDevWgt | MinWeight | S/L | Sects | Surveys | Waterbody |
|---|
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams
| Waterbody | Section | Species | Count | AveLength | StdDevLength | MinLength | MaxLength | AveWeight | StdDevWeight | MinWeight | MaxWeight |
|---|
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams
| Waterbody | Year | Section | Species | Count | AveLength | StdDevLength | MinLength | MaxLength | AveWeight | StdDevWeight | MinWeight | MaxWeight |
|---|
To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
This is a preview, all fields will be visible by selecting a download option. For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams.
| Year | Species Abbrv | Length | Weight | M/C | Count | Sex | Mort | Hook Scar | Disease | Scales | Otolith | Fin Clip | Tag | Comment | Genetics | Age | Stomach | Intercept | Slope | Gear | Equipment | Trip | Date | Pass/Run | Water | Section | Lat/Down | Lon/Down | Lat/Up | Lon/Up | Agency | Start Depth | End Depth |
|---|
| Year | Angler Days | Std. Error |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93977 | 8739 |
| 2020 | 123822 | 9753 |
| 2019 | 79076 | 7193 |
| 2017 | 127683 | 13731 |
| 2015 | 95254 | 7542 |
View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.
No Gauging Stations found.
This waterbody has a fish consumption advisory. Please see the link for guidelines.
Fish Consumption Guidelines (PDF)
