Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 5

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir is a 553-acre body of water located about 8 miles northeast of Helena, Montana, off York Road. Created by the Helena Valley Dam, this reservoir serves primarily as a water source for irrigation and municipal use for the city of Helena. With approximately 6 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of about 45 feet, the reservoir offers anglers a peaceful fishing experience in a scenic setting at an elevation of 3,798 feet. The reservoir is particularly known for its kokanee salmon fishing, with both open water and ice fishing opportunities available throughout the year.

Montana licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Burbot

Lota lota

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Kokanee Salmon

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Kokanee Salmon31,010 fish · 3.4 inMay 12, 2026
Kokanee Salmon30,525 fish · 3.6 inMay 19, 2025
Kokanee Salmon62,415 fish · 3.4 inMay 17, 2024
Kokanee Salmon31,215 fish · 3.4 inMay 10, 2023
Kokanee Salmon50,014 fish · 3.5 inMay 10, 2022

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.

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Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir. 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.

Lakeside Marina

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Helena Boat Rental

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Know where you can legally fish on Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir

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 Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir 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 Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir 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.