Montana Fishing: Canyon Ferry Lake

Located approximately ninety miles northwest of Bozeman, Montana is Canyon Ferry Reservoir. This huge lake was formed when the Canyon Ferry Dam was built across the Missouri River. The lake is also within fifteen miles of the capital city of Montana - Helena. Due both to its size and location, Canyon Ferry Lake is a popular recreation site.

Canyon Ferry is the third largest body of water in Montana, covering 35,181 surface acres and having seventy-six miles of shoreline. Since the completion of the Canyon Ferry Dam in 1954, the waters of the Missouri River have formed this huge body of water that has been used not only for recreation, but also for electricity and irrigation.

With its close proximity to Helena, Canyon Ferry is a popular outdoor destination for locals and visitors who want to enjoy boating, fishing, camping, and wind surfing. The lake receives heavier use during warm weather and on the weekends. Numerous summer homes and cabins have been built along the seventy-six miles of shoreline.

Because Canyon Ferry Lake is stocked each year with rainbow trout, it is an excellent spot for catching that trophy rainbow. But for many of the locals, what really sets Canyon Ferry apart is its walleye fishery.

In the early spring, fishing from the shore can be quite productive, but as the seasons warm-up, the best results are achieved fishing from a boat to access the larger fish as they go deeper. For out of state anglers and locals alike who are in search of rainbow trout and walleye, and want to try their luck lake fishing, Canyon Ferry is an excellent choice.