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 02/16/2026
Rainbows and walleyes are being caught around Duck Creek and from the Silos to the Ponds near the shore in 15 feet of water or less while using Halis or pink jigs and maggots or worms. There are boats getting out and fishing for rainbows around Shannon and Yacht Basin. Perch and an occasional burbot are being caught at Duck Creek in 30 to 35 feet of water while using ice flies and maggots. There is 5 inches of ice from Duck Creek to the Ponds; however, it is starting to pull away from shore in areas and deteriorating. White Earth to the dam is open water.
| 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: | |
| Fishing District: | Central |
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| Waterbody | Section | Field Form Type | Date | Purpose | Species |
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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 |
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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 |
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| Year | Angler Days | Std. Error |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93977 | 8739 |
| 2020 | 123822 | 9753 |
| 2019 | 79076 | 7193 |
| 2017 | 127683 | 13731 |
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)
