Hauser Reservoir Fishing
A Montana reservoir of 3,200 acres in Lewis and Clark County.
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Before a first Montana trip to Hauser Reservoir
FishMT puts Hauser Reservoir at 3,200 acres, which places it among the waters of Lewis and Clark County. Drawn from the FWP layer, the water outline is about 3,200 acres of mapped outline. Closest Census-listed place: Helena Valley Northeast, 2 miles out.
Montana FWP files it under FWP’s Central fishing district, with FWP Region 4. It counts 1 ramp or hand launch across FWP’s sites. FWP also maps 1 walk-in or dock site for bank fishing. Read its 7 rule lines before keeping fish.
Size as the FWP FishMT page for Hauser Reservoir 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 Hauser Reservoir, read November 12, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 12, 2026.
Background on Hauser Reservoir from FWP
The FWP waterbody page introduces Hauser Reservoir with:
Hauser Reservoir, including Lake Helena, is home to some unique fishing opportunities in the Helena Area. Annually, yellow perch, walleye, and rainbow trout, all spring spawners, draw anglers to the river below Canyon Ferry Dam and Lake Helena. In the river below Canyon Ferry Dam, shoreline anglers do well on the east shore near Riverside Campground (Bureau of Reclamation) and on the west shore, via Eagle Bay Drive, for both rainbow trout and walleye from approximately late March through June.
Hauser Reservoir rides at 3,656 feet above sea level, per FishMT. Drainage goes to Missouri River, per the FishMT entry. FWP posts a contour map of the bottom. FWP's statewide angling pressure estimate for Hauser Reservoir is 40,332 angler days in 2021 (give or take 5,716).
FWP flags a fish consumption advisory on its FishMT page for Hauser Reservoir; read FWP's current guidance before you keep fish to eat.
FWP records toilet (Vault), drinking Water, ADA Accessibility, easy Accessibility, fishing Pier/Platform and toilet around Hauser Reservoir.
Montana FWP FishMT waterbody page for Hauser Reservoir, read November 12, 2026.
For the yellow perch herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 What the fish layer shows in Hauser Reservoir
MFISH sorts the fish of Hauser Reservoir by how plentiful biologists marked them, and the table copies those labels.
| Species | MFISH rating |
|---|---|
| Brook trout | rare |
| Brown trout | common |
| Burbot | common |
| Common carp | listed |
| Kokanee salmon | rare |
| Mountain whitefish | common |
| Northern pike | listed |
| Rainbow trout | abundant |
| Walleye | abundant |
| Westslope cutthroat trout | rare |
| Yellow perch | abundant |
FWP MFISH fish distribution layer (ArcGIS service) (FWP rating dates 2018 to 2024), read November 12, 2026. Presence is mapping data, not a catch report.
Recent FWP stocking at Hauser Reservoir
FishMT's 2026 plant report shows these loads going into Hauser Reservoir; lengths are inches as the report serves them.
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 6,402 | 8.86 in. |
| October 5, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 6,739 | 8.86 in. |
| October 2, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 7,161 | 8.7 in. |
| September 30, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 6,594 | 8.93 in. |
| September 30, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 6,391 | 9 in. |
| September 29, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 7,404 | 8.59 in. |
| September 29, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 8,796 | 8.31 in. |
| September 28, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 7,508 | 8.55 in. |
| September 25, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 7,632 | 8.4 in. |
| September 24, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 7,476 | 8.49 in. |
| September 23, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 8,195 | 8.31 in. |
| September 17, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 9,101 | 7.98 in. |
FWP FishMT stocking report for 2026, year to date (FishMT plant report), read November 12, 2026.
Montana access sites with ramps on Hauser Reservoir
- York Bridge Fishing Access Site on Hauser Reservoirfishing access site, ramp (concrete), concrete surface, 10 acres
Montana bank spots around Hauser Reservoir
- Causeway Fishing Access Site on Hauser Reservoirfishing access site, no boat facilities, 4 acres
Spare ramps if Hauser Reservoir is packed
- Helena Valley Reservoir Fishing Access Site on Helena Valley Regulating ReservoirHelena Valley Regulating Reservoir, 4 miles south
- Wolf Creek Bridge Fishing Access Site on Missouri RiverMissouri River, 22 miles north
- Craig Fishing Access Site on Missouri RiverMissouri River, 25 miles north
- Stickney Creek Fishing Access Site on Missouri RiverMissouri River, 28 miles north
- Spite Hill Fishing Access Site on Missouri RiverMissouri River, 29 miles north
Opening times for Hauser Reservoir access sites are not in a usable form, so check FWP before a long tow.
FWP Fishing Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service) and the FishMT site pages, read November 12, 2026.
Montana limits in force at Hauser Reservoir
Look to the printed exceptions for Hauser Reservoir: where they name a fish, the district chart no longer applies.
| Heading as printed | Section | Rule line | Booklet page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hauser Reservoir | Including Canyon Ferry Dam tailwater and Lake Helena | Combined trout and kokanee salmon: 5 trout and kokanee salmon daily and in combination and 10 trout and kokanee salmon in possession in any combination. | booklet page 58 |
| Hauser Reservoir | Including Canyon Ferry Dam tailwater and Lake Helena | Walleye: 10 daily, only 1 over 15 inches. Possession limit is twice the daily limit. | booklet page 58 |
| Hauser Reservoir | Including Canyon Ferry Dam tailwater and Lake Helena | Yellow perch: 10 daily and in possession July 1 through March 31; 1 daily and in possession, 14 inch minimum, April 1 through June 30. | booklet page 58 |
| Hauser Reservoir | Including Canyon Ferry Dam tailwater and Lake Helena | Northern pike: no limit. | booklet page 58 |
| Hauser Reservoir | Including Canyon Ferry Dam tailwater and Lake Helena | 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 58 |
| Hauser Reservoir | Including Canyon Ferry Dam tailwater and Lake Helena | Hook and Line/Setlines: 6 lines with 2 hooks per line through the ice only. | booklet page 58 |
| Hauser Reservoir | Including Canyon Ferry Dam tailwater and Lake Helena | Spearing: open for northern pike through the ice. | booklet page 58 |
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.
Big Sky record catches credited to Hauser Reservoir
| Species | Weight or length | Year | Place as FWP prints it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kokanee salmon | 7.85 lbs. | 2003 | Hauser Lake |
| Longnose sucker | 4.78 lbs. | 2022 | Hauser Reservoir |
| Mountain whitefish | 5.11 lbs. | 2007 | Hauser Reservoir |
Montana state record fish as FWP lists them (records page), read November 12, 2026.
FWP-approved contests and weigh-ins at Hauser Reservoir
Dated Hauser Reservoir events and printed results share one page, each tied to its organizer or the FWP contest list.
Neighboring Montana lakes and Hauser Reservoir
The biggest neighbor here is Holter Reservoir, which FishMT sizes at 3,667 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Ramps | Fish on FWP list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hauser Reservoir | 3,200 acres | Lewis and Clark County | 1 | 11 | |
| Lake Helena | 2 miles southwest | 2,073 acres | Lewis and Clark County | 0 | 11 |
| Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir | 5 miles south | 553 acres | Lewis and Clark County | 1 | 4 |
| Upper Holter Lake | 8 miles north | 695 acres | Lewis and Clark County | 0 | 8 |
| Spring Meadow Lake | 11 miles southwest | about 14 acres of mapped outline | Lewis and Clark County | 0 | 5 |
| Holter Reservoir | 16 miles north | 3,667 acres | Lewis and Clark County | 0 | 11 |
FWP FishMT pages, the Fishing Access Sites layer and the FWP Lakes layer; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 12, 2026.
In Montana close to Hauser Reservoir
Montana lakes and ponds around Hauser Reservoir
- Lake Helena2 miles southwest
- Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir5 miles south
- Upper Holter Lake8 miles north
- Spring Meadow Lake11 miles southwest
- Holter Reservoir16 miles north
Shops the Hauser Reservoir regulars swear by
- JDR Specialty Tacklebait and tackle shop, Helena, 6 miles
- Git Er Done Baitbait and tackle shop, Helena, 8 miles
- Bob Ward & Sons Inc, 3323 Dredge Drbait and tackle shop, Helena, 8 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 2990 N Sanders Stbait and tackle shop, Helena, 8 miles
- Gates of the Mountains Boat Tours and Marinamarina, Helena, 9 miles
- Yacht Basin Marinamarina, Helena, 10 miles
Montana guides listed near Hauser Reservoir
- 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
- Mark Young Outfitters LLCfishing guide, Augusta
Where to bed down when fishing Hauser Reservoir
- Helena Valley Northeast2 miles
- Helena Valley Southeast6 miles
- Helena Valley Northwest8 miles
Hauser Reservoir on the Montana county map
- Lewis and Clark Countyseat: Helena
Piscifun reels and line to pack for a Montana trip to Hauser Reservoir
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Blue-ribbon creeks, canyon lakes and wide rivers around Hauser Reservoir, pictured
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: V Smoothe, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mobilus In Mobili, CC BY-SA 2.0
Questions to settle before the Big Sky drive to Hauser Reservoir
Where in Montana is Hauser Reservoir?
Look in Lewis and Clark County; the nearest Census town, Helena Valley Northeast, is about 2 miles away.
What size does FishMT give Hauser Reservoir?
Roughly 3,200 acres; the mapped outline is about 3,200 acres of mapped outline.
Does Hauser Reservoir have a paved ramp?
1 launch serve it, York Bridge Fishing Access Site on Hauser Reservoir among them.
Which fish does FishMT name for Hauser Reservoir?
MFISH lists brown trout, burbot, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout and walleye; its ratings are mapping words, not promises.
What can go in the cooler after Hauser Reservoir?
7 rule lines apply here; each one sits in the limits band with its booklet page.
Does fishing Hauser Reservoir call for a Montana license?
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. A child younger than 12 is exempt.
Does FWP list a dock or walk-in site at Hauser Reservoir?
FWP lists 1 walk-in or dock site; Causeway Fishing Access Site on Hauser Reservoir is one.
Which listed outfitter is nearest Hauser Reservoir?
Stop at JDR Specialty Tackle, about 6 miles away.
Does FWP stock Hauser Reservoir?
FWP logs 21 stocking rows; most recent 2026-10-06, rainbow trout.
Is a Montana record tied to Hauser Reservoir?
A 7.85 lbs. kokanee salmon from Hauser Lake is on the FWP list, year 2003.
Where are weigh-in numbers for Hauser Reservoir?
Every contest found with a date is gathered on the event page.
Plan a long day on Hauser Reservoir
Read the bag limits before any fish goes in the cooler.