Hard Water (Ice Fishing) Techniques and Places to go in Montana

As ice begins to form in early winter, the buzz of anticipation begins. Hard water fans rejoice when the mercury drops. Ice allows shore bound angler's free reign over some very productive waters. Smaller lakes and waters at higher elevation freeze first.

Large bodies of water take more time, but at some point in December, anglers will begin heading onto safe ice and pulling out fish. There are numerous opportunities for ice fishing the region around Great Falls.

If you are in the area, stop by your local North 40 Outfitters and get the gear you need to get out on the ice, or shop for ice rods here. 

Ice Fishing for Trout: Tactics and Lures

Trout are always in season in Montana. As cold water fish, they tend to stay fairly active throughout the winter. If you find the right location and lure or bait combo, the bite can get hot. Jigs, bead head flies, and a variety of baits are effective.

You can check out our lure selection online here. 

Trout often frequent shallow waters in the 4-8' range. They particularly like to feed over soft bottom flats when available. Just remember that trout have excellent vision and lateral-line senses. Try to keep your movements on the ice down to a minimum.

Some popular trout lakes include Willow Creek and Nilan Reservoirs, but there are many more.

Ice Fishing for Perch in Montana

Perch are a popular ice fishing target for several reasons. They are good to eat and often very easy to catch. As schooling fish, when you find them the action can be very good. Good enough to keep kids entertained and to make for great family outings. Ice jigs tipped with maggots are hard to beat.

Holter Lake is loaded with both numbers and good sized perch right now.

Pike Fishing in Winter

Northern Pike are exciting because they get big. Many of the biggest fish of the year are taken through the ice. Fishing for pike with tip-ups baited with sucker minnows or dead smelt is very popular. They can also be taken on a variety of jigging lures. They are aggressive predators and they like to eat.

Tibor is well known for big pike.

Interested in what it looks like chase pike on the fly? Then check this out.

Ice Fishing for Walleye in Montana

Walleye are always a favored target, primarily because anglers love to eat them. Because they have excellent vision, even under the ice, walleye will often make daily movements. Midday, they may reside in deeper waters of 20-40'.

In the evening and into the night, they will often shift upwards to zones half as deep. Location is key and many anglers are frustrated with finding walleye consistently.

Evening periods are almost always the best time to find feeding walleye. Tip-ups with minnows are popular and jigging lures and spoons can also produce.

Tibor, Lake Francis, Holter and Canyon Ferry are all walleye producers.

Ice Fishing for Burbot

Burbot otherwise known as "Ling" are a prehistoric, eel shaped, cod like fish that are exceptionally tasty. In lakes, they are more often taken through the ice than during open water periods. They bite best in the afternoon and into the darkness.

Tip ups suspending sucker or smelt meat just off the bottom are a common choice. Burbot will also take rattle baits and glow-in-the dark jigs.

Newlan Creek Reservoir is considered a reliable spot.

Ice Fishing Equipment: Things you'll need

Ice fishing can be as simple as sitting on a bucket next to a hole or you can build a movable house and stock it with everything. To get started, you will need an auger to cut a hole, an ice scoop for clearing the hole and your rod, reel, lures and bait.

Check out our ice fishing rods and lines online here.

A five gallon bucket makes a nice seat and is perfect for holding gear. A portable ice shelter is preferred when wind is present. A sled is useful for transporting a larger assortment of items to the fishing location. Here is a list of common gear and items to consider.

Auger, ice scoop, bucket with seat, ice shelter, sonar, terminal tackle, lures, bait, tip ups, ice rods, rod holders, warm bibs and outerwear, hand warmers, portable propane heater, lanterns and head lamps for after dark stays, high energy food and snacks, thermos of something warm, camp stove for heating soup or beverages, ice cleats for traction, and an Otter Outdoors Sled to pull all your gear.

If you've got a really big load, you can pull it with an ATV. In that case, you might even bring a generator.

Ice Fishing Locations to consider with links provided by Montana FWP

Canyon Ferry
Wadsworth Pond
North Eureka
Lake Francis
Tiber
Bynum
West Tunnel Lake
Split Rock
Pishkun
Willow Creek
Nilan
East Ackley Lake
Newlan Creek
South Pelican Point #1
Holter Lake
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
Lake Helena
Hauser

Ice fishing may not appeal to everyone, but properly prepared anglers have been enjoying winter outings on the ice for generations.

When you live in the North Country, you can stay inside and complain, or you can get out and enjoy one of the best parts of winter-the hard water season.