Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir fishing

Fishing at Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir is on a reservoir, stocked with Kokanee Salmon. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 2011, most often in May and October. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

May 12, 2026

Plants on record

18

Since 2011

Species recorded

1

Average size

3 in

Elevation

3,816.8 ft

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.

Sources: water_type , access , shore_notes , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , photos , fishing_notes

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How Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of May. In 2026 it was May 12, 2026, about when it usually is.

Fish at Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir

Fishing Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir is most likely to be for Kokanee Salmon. All 18 plants on record are Kokanee Salmon.

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 18 plants
Plants
18 of 18
Last stocked
May 12, 2026
Average length
3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Kokanee Salmon guide.

Fishing Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir

The 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.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Fish stocked per year

  • 75,9082011
  • 75,5582012
  • 74,4832013
  • 65,1712014
  • 68,1922015
  • 65,0032016
  • 50,0922017
  • 49,5282018
  • 57,7502019
  • 55,4202020
  • 40,0092021
  • 50,0142022
  • 31,2152023
  • 62,4152024
  • 30,5252025
  • 31,0102026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 18 plants Showing 18 plants

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
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
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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