Canyon Ferry Lake Fishing
A Montana natural lake of 33,535 acres in Broadwater and Lewis and Clark counties.
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Canyon Ferry Lake by the FWP numbers
In Broadwater and Lewis and Clark counties, Canyon Ferry Lake is listed at 33,535 acres on FishMT. A mapped polygon puts the shoreline around about 32,773 acres of mapped outline. Townsend sits roughly 13 miles from the shore on a straight line.
It sits in FWP’s Central fishing district, with FWP Region 3, per FishMT. FWP maps no put-in here. The 2026 booklet prints 10 rule lines for it.
Size as the FWP FishMT page for Canyon Ferry Lake prints it (FishMT), read November 12, 2026.
Outline area from the FWP Lakes reference layer (ArcGIS service; mapped polygon area, not an FWP surface-acre figure), read November 12, 2026.
Montana FWP FishMT waterbody page for Canyon Ferry Lake, read November 12, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 12, 2026.
The FishMT notes for Canyon Ferry Lake
FishMT carries this status note for Canyon Ferry Lake:
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!
The elevation FWP prints for Canyon Ferry Lake is 3,799 feet above sea level. The outflow named on FishMT is Missouri River. There is an FWP bathymetric map on file. FWP's statewide angling pressure estimate for Canyon Ferry Lake is 93,977 angler days in 2021 (give or take 8,739).
FWP flags a fish consumption advisory on its FishMT page for Canyon Ferry Lake; read FWP's current guidance before you keep fish to eat.
Montana FWP FishMT waterbody page for Canyon Ferry Lake, read November 12, 2026.
For the rainbow trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The MFISH species list for Canyon Ferry Lake
For Canyon Ferry Lake, FWP's map files each species under a rating word where it has one.
| Species | MFISH rating |
|---|---|
| Bluegill | rare |
| Brook trout | common |
| Brown trout | common |
| Burbot | abundant |
| Common carp | listed |
| Largemouth bass | rare |
| Mountain whitefish | rare |
| Northern pike | rare |
| Pumpkinseed | rare |
| Rainbow trout | abundant |
| Smallmouth bass | rare |
| Walleye | abundant |
| Yellow perch | abundant |
| Yellowstone cutthroat trout | rare |
FWP MFISH fish distribution layer (ArcGIS service) (FWP rating dates 2018 to 2023), read November 12, 2026. Presence is mapping data, not a catch report.
The Canyon Ferry Lake plant report from FWP
FWP's 2026 grid lists the following plants for Canyon Ferry Lake.
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 5, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 15,720 | 7.69 in. |
| October 2, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 13,473 | 7.81 in. |
| October 2, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 2,329 | 7.26 in. |
| October 2, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 13,434 | 7.85 in. |
| October 2, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 11,352 | 7.67 in. |
| October 1, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 12,528 | 8.01 in. |
| October 1, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 13,489 | 7.76 in. |
| October 1, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 13,770 | 7.76 in. |
| September 30, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 12,194 | 7.98 in. |
| September 30, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 12,636 | 7.98 in. |
| September 30, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 12,300 | 7.85 in. |
| September 29, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 13,888 | 7.78 in. |
FWP FishMT stocking report for 2026, year to date (FishMT plant report), read November 12, 2026.
Putting a boat in at Canyon Ferry Lake, Montana
FWP shows no put-in at Canyon Ferry Lake, so a carried boat or a neighboring launch is the way out.
More Montana launches near Canyon Ferry Lake
- Helena Valley Reservoir Fishing Access Site on Helena Valley Regulating ReservoirHelena Valley Regulating Reservoir, 17 miles northwest
- York Bridge Fishing Access Site on Hauser ReservoirHauser Reservoir, 18 miles northwest
- Toston Fishing Access Site on Missouri RiverMissouri River, 24 miles south
- Newlan Creek Reservoir Fishing Access SiteNewlan Reservoir, 31 miles east
- Fairweather Fishing Access Site on Missouri RiverMissouri River, 34 miles south
Montana bank spots near Canyon Ferry Lake
- Causeway Fishing Access Site on Hauser ReservoirHauser Reservoir, 21 miles
- Upper Prickly Pear Fishing Access Sitefishing access site, no boat facilities, 36 acres, 21 miles
- Lake Helena Fishing Access SiteLake Helena, 21 miles
Gate times and day-use charges at Canyon Ferry Lake are not reproduced here: FWP's fee rows are mostly Conservation License prices.
FWP Fishing Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service) and the FishMT site pages, read November 12, 2026.
Montana reservoir and gauge figures for Canyon Ferry Lake
USACE readings for Canyon Ferry Lake, Nov. 12, 1:00 p.m. MST.
USACE Access to Water (water.usace.army.mil), dated readings as served, read November 12, 2026. Not live.
Each Canyon Ferry Lake number names its agency, and anything from the Corps carries its reading date.
How many fish Canyon Ferry Lake lets a Montana angler keep
This water appears in the exceptions pages of the booklet, so its listed lines outrank the district defaults.
| Heading as printed | Section | Rule line | Booklet page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Ferry Reservoir | whole water | Catch-and-release for brown trout, except anglers 14 years of age or younger may take 1 brown trout daily and in possession any size. | booklet page 55 |
| Canyon Ferry Reservoir | whole water | Walleye: 10 daily, only 1 over 15 inches. Possession limit is twice the daily limit. | booklet page 55 |
| Canyon Ferry Reservoir | whole water | Yellow perch: 10 daily and in possession. | booklet page 55 |
| Canyon Ferry Reservoir | whole water | Northern pike: no limit. | booklet page 55 |
| Canyon Ferry Reservoir | whole water | Spearing: open for northern pike through the ice. | booklet page 55 |
| Canyon Ferry Reservoir | whole water | Hook and Line/Setlines: 6 lines with 2 hooks per line through the ice only. | booklet page 55 |
| Canyon Ferry Reservoir | Magpie Bay | Closed (as posted) March 1 through June 14. | booklet page 55 |
| BEAVER CREEK (tributary to Canyon Ferry Reservoir) | Mouth to US Highway 12 | Open June 15 through Sept. 30. | booklet page 51 |
| CONFEDERATE GULCH (tributary to Canyon Ferry Reservoir) | Mouth to Highway 284 | Open June 15 through Sept. 30. | booklet page 56 |
| MAGPIE CREEK (tributary to Canyon Ferry Reservoir) | whole water | Open June 15 through Sept. 30. | booklet page 61 |
The rules here are from the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, valid March 1, 2026 through the end of February 2027; FWP had published no 2027 booklet when this was checked.
Anglers 12 and older buy a Conservation License, an aquatic invasive species pass and a fishing license; the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations prints $8, $2 and $21 for a resident full season and $10, $7.50 and $100 for a nonresident.
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
License prices as printed on the FWP fishing license page and in the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 12 (the two agree), read November 12, 2026.
The FWP record list and Canyon Ferry Lake
| Species | Weight or length | Year | Place as FWP prints it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah chub | 2.39 lbs. | 2022 | Canyon Ferry Reservoir |
Montana state record fish as FWP lists them (records page), read November 12, 2026.
Who holds organized events at Canyon Ferry Lake
Find the FWP-approved Canyon Ferry Lake events and organizer results on the tournament page.
Sizing Canyon Ferry Lake against nearby Montana water
For more room, Hauser Reservoir runs 3,200 acres by FWP's figure.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Ramps | Fish on FWP list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Ferry Lake | 33,535 acres | Broadwater County | 0 | 14 | |
| Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir | 17 miles northwest | 553 acres | Lewis and Clark County | 1 | 4 |
| Hauser Reservoir | 21 miles northwest | 3,200 acres | Lewis and Clark County | 1 | 11 |
| Lake Helena | 21 miles northwest | 2,073 acres | Lewis and Clark County | 0 | 11 |
| Spring Meadow Lake | 25 miles west | about 14 acres of mapped outline | Lewis and Clark County | 0 | 5 |
| Upper Holter Lake | 28 miles northwest | 695 acres | Lewis and Clark County | 0 | 8 |
FWP FishMT pages, the Fishing Access Sites layer and the FWP Lakes layer; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 12, 2026.
Grouped near Canyon Ferry Lake on the Montana map
A second lake for day two past Canyon Ferry Lake
- Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir17 miles northwest
- Hauser Reservoir21 miles northwest
- Lake Helena21 miles northwest
- Spring Meadow Lake25 miles west
- Upper Holter Lake28 miles northwest
Restocking leaders and line for Canyon Ferry Lake
- The Silos Marina & Campgroundmarina, Townsend, 6 miles
- Yacht Basin Marinamarina, Helena, 11 miles
- Bears Fishing Suppliesbait and tackle shop, Townsend, 17 miles
- JDR Specialty Tacklebait and tackle shop, Helena, 18 miles
- Capital Sportsbait and tackle shop, Helena, 22 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 2990 N Sanders Stbait and tackle shop, Helena, 22 miles
Montana outfitters who run trips to Canyon Ferry Lake
- 16 Mile Outfitting, LLCfishing guide, Townsend
- Craig Fellin Outfitters & Big Hole Lodgefishing guide, Helena
- Dome Mountain Outfittersfishing guide, Helena
- God's Country Outfittersfishing guide, Lincoln, (406) 362-3070
- Iron Wheel Outfittersfishing guide, Helena
- JJJ Wilderness Ranchfishing guide, Augusta
- K Bar L Ranchfishing guide, Augusta
- Living Water Guide Servicefishing guide, East Helena
Big Sky rooms and campgrounds handy to Canyon Ferry Lake
- Townsend13 miles
- Montana City17 miles
- East Helena18 miles
Which Montana county holds Canyon Ferry Lake
- Broadwater Countyseat: Townsend
- Lewis and Clark Countyseat: Helena
Piscifun kit to stow in the truck for Montana time at Canyon Ferry Lake
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Treasure State fish to recognize at Canyon Ferry Lake
Photo: Rex Hammock, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Canyon Ferry Lake: what Treasure State anglers ask
Which Montana county holds Canyon Ferry Lake?
It lies in Broadwater and Lewis and Clark counties; the nearest Census town, Townsend, is about 13 miles away.
How many acres does FWP give Canyon Ferry Lake?
33,535 acres, per FWP; the mapped outline is about 32,773 acres of mapped outline.
Where should a first-timer put in at Canyon Ferry Lake?
The data hold no ramp for it, and the access band gives the nearest ones.
Does FWP rate trout at Canyon Ferry Lake?
Look for brook trout, brown trout, burbot, rainbow trout and walleye, per the FWP layer.
Does Montana set size limits at Canyon Ferry Lake?
The 2026 booklet prints 10 rule lines for it, quoted in the limits band; where they speak they replace the district chart.
What does Montana ask of anglers at Canyon Ferry Lake?
Anglers 12 and older buy a Conservation License, an aquatic invasive species pass and a fishing license; the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations prints $8, $2 and $21 for a resident full season and $10, $7.50 and $100 for a nonresident. Montana requires a license from the twelfth birthday on.
Is bank fishing possible at Canyon Ferry Lake?
FWP lists no pier here.
Which counter sells bait around Canyon Ferry Lake?
The Silos Marina & Campground, about 6 miles away comes first.
Who publishes the stage of Canyon Ferry Lake?
The level band shows who measured and when.
When did FWP last stock Canyon Ferry Lake?
The newest of 29 stocking rows is 2026-10-05: rainbow trout.
What mark on the record list came out of Canyon Ferry Lake?
The record list holds a utah chub at 2.39 lbs. from Canyon Ferry Reservoir, year 2022.
Which groups hold contests at Canyon Ferry Lake?
Club and FWP-approved events are gathered on its event page.
Put Canyon Ferry Lake on the Montana calendar
One click leads to the fee schedule and the limit charts.