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
Canyon Ferry Lake, On the Missouri
Special Notices & Closures
Fishing report for the week of 08/18/2025
Walleye action continues to be good from Pond 2 to Confederate, Silos to Hole in the Wall, White Earth and north along west shore and Hellgate, both inside and outside of the bay. Try trolling bottom bouncers with a worm harness or slow death rigs in 20 to 30 feet of water with chartreuse being the preferred color. Rapalas and jigs are working as well. A few perch are being caught by anglers using walleye rigs in these same areas. Rainbows are being caught on walleye gear, lures or cowbells in the traditional walleye spots as well as the north end of the reservoir around Cemetary Island, Yacht Basin and Hellgate. An occasional smallmouth bass is showing up around Cemetary Island. Hellgate ramp has provided some action for walleye from shore on jigs and worms.
| 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 |
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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 | Year | Section | Species | Count | AveLength | StdDevLength | MinLength | MaxLength | AveWeight | StdDevWeight | MinWeight | MaxWeight |
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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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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)
