It’s a fishing day

Canyon Ferry Lake fishing conditions · Montana

Now until 6 pmWalleye

The bite peaks at 90. Wind builds to 25 mph out of the southeast by tonight at 11:00 pm.

Log a trip here
Right now: 86 for walleye, go · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Walleye, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 862 pm
  2. 86
  3. 90
  4. 865 pm
  5. 76
  6. 76
  7. 688 pm
  8. 53
  9. 53
  10. 3711 pm
  11. 37Sun
  12. 33
  13. 332 am
  14. 33
  15. 53
  16. 535 am
  17. 53
  18. 57
  19. 538 am
  20. 53
  21. 53
  22. 8011 am
  23. 80
  24. 76
  25. 762 pm
  26. 76
  27. 80
  28. 765 pm
  29. 76
  30. 76
  31. 768 pm
  32. 76
  33. 76
  34. 7611 pm
  35. 80Mon
  36. 80
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
No reading

Walleye range 50–72°

Wind
7 mph

From the south-southeast

Light
Daylight

Sunset 5:03 pm

Sky
Mostly Sunny

No rain expected

Air
55°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Montana Central District regulations for these waters.

Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

90GoNow until 6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Walleye bite in 50–72° water, best near 62°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Walleye feeds aggressively in low light. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

10 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 10 walleye a day, only 1 over 15"; possession is twice the daily limit.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on walleye

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

78Worth the tripNow until 6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Central District lakes and reservoirs: 5 trout a day including cutthroat, 10 in possession. Open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Montana Central District

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–May, Oct–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on rainbow trout

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch

Perca flavescens

78Worth the tripNow until 6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Yellow perch bite in 45–70° water, best near 58°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 5–30 ft down.

Keep

10 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 10 yellow perch a day and in possession.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Mar–Jun, Oct–Dec, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on yellow perch

Common Carp

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

43Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Common carp bite in 52–86° water, best near 72°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Common carp is here Jun–Sep. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

no daily limit

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Montana Central District: species not listed in the district limits table, carp included, have no limit on the number taken or possessed.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Montana Central District

Last checked 20 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Jun–Sep, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on common carp

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer30.25 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today5:03 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow7:18 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:30 pm–4:30 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 10:20 pm–12:20 am
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 6:40 am–7:40 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Montana FWP has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: Montana FWP · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

A 35,000-acre Missouri River reservoir east of Helena and Montana’s third-largest body of water. The state’s flagship walleye fishery — fished hard from boats and shore — along with abundant rainbow trout and yellow perch, and a renowned spring shoreline bite.

Walleye 10 a day, only 1 over 15"; yellow perch 10; northern pike unlimited; brown trout catch-and-release. Magpie Bay is closed March 1 through June 14.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Missouri River at Craig36 mi · MontanaBest now until 11 pm
80Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Canyon Ferry Lake?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Canyon Ferry Lake you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Canyon Ferry Lake?

Canyon Ferry Lake is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, Common Carp. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Canyon Ferry Lake?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Canyon Ferry Lake against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Canyon Ferry Lake have?

Canyon Ferry Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Walleye 10 a day, only 1 over 15"; yellow perch 10; northern pike unlimited; brown trout catch-and-release. Magpie Bay is closed March 1 through June 14.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Canyon Ferry Lake?

state agency regulations apply at Canyon Ferry Lake. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Canyon Ferry Lake tidal water?

No. Canyon Ferry Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.