Kokanee Salmon Stocked · 18 plants · last May 12, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir fishing
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir fishing is stocked with Kokanee Salmon on a reservoir. Also recorded: Yellow Perch, Burbot, and Common Carp. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 2011, most often in May and October. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Kokanee Salmon and Common Carp, dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch, and dusk and night for Burbot.
- Last stocked
- May 12, 2026
- · Kokanee Salmon
- Plants on record
- 18
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 1 (+3 also recorded)
- Average size
- 3 in
- Elevation
- 3,816.8 ft
Fish at Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
Around the dates Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 53.8°F in May, 45.5°F in October, 42.5°F in April. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Kokanee Salmon Stocked · 18 plants · last May 12, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk 
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Burbot Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Burbot species guide
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guideThe Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks have identified six species of fish in Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir, with 3 of them being native to the state. These species include burbot, common carp, kokanee salmon, longnose sucker, white sucker, and yellow perch. The reservoir is notably a fishery for Kokanee. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir is stocked
Hauser Reservoir (3.8 mi), Spring Meadow Lake (9.9 mi), East Fork Reservoir (18.9 mi), and Glen Lake (19 mi) were stocked more recently. Hauser Reservoir is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon and Glen Lake is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon.
Fish stocked in 2011
75,908
Fish stocked in 2012
75,558
Fish stocked in 2013
74,483
Fish stocked in 2014
65,171
Fish stocked in 2015
68,192
Fish stocked in 2016
65,003
Fish stocked in 2017
50,092
Fish stocked in 2018
49,528
Fish stocked in 2019
57,750
Fish stocked in 2020
55,420
Fish stocked in 2021
40,009
Fish stocked in 2022
50,014
Fish stocked in 2023
31,215
Fish stocked in 2024
62,415
Fish stocked in 2025
30,525
Fish stocked in 2026
31,010
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2026 | Kokanee Salmon | 31,010 | 3.43 in | report |
| May 19, 2025 | Kokanee Salmon | 30,525 | 3.56 in | report |
| May 17, 2024 | Kokanee Salmon | 62,415 | 3.42 in | report |
| May 10, 2023 | Kokanee Salmon | 31,215 | 3.42 in | report |
| May 10, 2022 | Kokanee Salmon | 50,014 | 3.48 in | report |
| April 28, 2021 | Kokanee Salmon | 40,009 | 2.9 in | report |
| May 13, 2020 | Kokanee Salmon | 55,420 | 2.5 in | report |
| May 16, 2019 | Kokanee Salmon | 57,750 | 2 in | report |
| May 22, 2018 | Kokanee Salmon | 49,528 | 2 in | report |
| May 10, 2017 | Kokanee Salmon | 50,092 | 2.01 in | report |
| May 5, 2016 | Kokanee Salmon | 65,003 | 1.92 in | report |
| May 19, 2015 | Kokanee Salmon | 68,192 | 2.1 in | report |
| May 13, 2014 | Kokanee Salmon | 65,171 | 2.64 in | report |
| October 11, 2013 | Kokanee Salmon | 36,966 | 4.74 in | report |
| May 15, 2013 | Kokanee Salmon | 37,517 | 2.87 in | report |
| October 18, 2012 | Kokanee Salmon | 38,000 | 4.99 in | report |
| May 11, 2012 | Kokanee Salmon | 37,558 | 2.7 in | report |
| May 11, 2011 | Kokanee Salmon | 75,908 | 3.24 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- Helena
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Facilities
- restrooms
Reservoir built 1957-58 on the eastern edge of the Helena Valley, 8 miles northeast of Helena via York Road. Anglers access the water at the lone boat ramp; a popular winter and summer kokanee fishery, with picnic areas and toilets nearby. Safe ice typically forms January-late February.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you go.
About Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
Nearest lakes
Camping near Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
Campgrounds within 15 miles of Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir's mapped point, nearest first: Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT) camping (4.3 miles), Devil's Elbow Campground (5.1 miles), Riverside Campground (6.6 miles), White Sandy Campground (7 miles), and Cave Point Group Use Area camping (8.1 miles), each with its own campground page on campgroundsdb.com.
Straight-line distances.
Common questions
What fish are at Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir?
Fishing Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir usually means Kokanee Salmon. All 18 plants on record are Kokanee Salmon. Kokanee Salmon was last stocked May 12, 2026, averaging 3 in. Yellow Perch, Burbot, and Common Carp are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir stocked?
Last stocked May 12, 2026. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 2011, most often in May and October.
How big are the fish stocked at Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir?
Kokanee Salmon stocked at Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir average 3 in.
How do you get on Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir?
There is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Helena. Facilities include restrooms. Reservoir built 1957-58 on the eastern edge of the Helena Valley, 8 miles northeast of Helena via York Road. Anglers access the water at the lone boat ramp; a popular winter and summer kokanee fishery, with picnic areas and toilets nearby. Safe ice typically forms January-late February.
Which lakes near Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir were stocked more recently?
Hauser Reservoir (3.8 mi), Spring Meadow Lake (9.9 mi), East Fork Reservoir (18.9 mi), and Glen Lake (19 mi) were stocked more recently. Hauser Reservoir is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon and Glen Lake is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon.