Canyon Ferry Lake

Boat Ramps: 11
Access Points: 25
Species: 15

Canyon Ferry Lake is Montana's third largest body of water, spanning over 33,500 acres with 76 miles of shoreline. Located just 15 miles east of Helena, this reservoir was formed when Canyon Ferry Dam was built on the Missouri River, with construction completed in 1954. Measuring more than 30 miles long and up to 5 miles wide, Canyon Ferry is one of the most heavily utilized lakes in Montana, known for its excellent fishing opportunities for both coldwater and warmwater species. The lake's fertility and size allow fish to grow large quickly, making it a premier fishing destination in west-central Montana.

Montana licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Canyon Ferry Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Burbot

Lota lota

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Mountain Whitefish

Prosopium williamsoni

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Rainbow Trout3,027 fish · 6.2 inJul 1, 2026
Rainbow Trout22,704 fish · 6.2 inJul 1, 2026
Rainbow Trout14,061 fish · 7.1 inJul 1, 2026
Rainbow Trout16,075 fish · 7.1 inJun 30, 2026
Rainbow Trout15,198 fish · 7.1 inJun 30, 2026

Source

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Canyon Ferry Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Canyon Ferry Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Montana licenses and regulations

Montana Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Montana Fishing License

All anglers 12 and over must possess a license.

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Montana Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Montana Stream Access Laws

Under the Montana Stream Access Law, the public may use rivers and streams for recreational purposes up to the ordinary high water marks. Although the law gives recreationists the right to use rivers and streams for water-related recreation, it does not give them the right to enter private lands bordering those streams or to cross private lands to gain access to streams without landowner permission. Montana's stream access law ensures public access to surface waters by public bridge or county road right-of-way. The width of a public bridge or public road right-of-way easement is the same as the public highway to which it is attached.

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Take Canyon Ferry Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Canyon Ferry Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Canyon Ferry Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Canyon Ferry Lake and check the forecast before you go.