good pike day trips from helena

[fuzz]

Kinda looking for a chance to get decent pike bite I have a newbie ice fisher n I want her to get some pike doesn't matter on size just want fish anything helps thanks have tried arod n that's OK it the stars n moon align just don't know what lake or place to try

[BFM KCCO]

Fresno by Havre always has decent pile. Google a map and focus on the Kings Bay Area, Kremlin Bay isn't a bad choice either but I'm not sure of the ice situation. Tiber isn't bad but if you're hauling a newbie might not be the best choice for her first outing. When I bring the wife and kids I like to get set up quick then bring them out...if it takes too long the girls will want to bail early

[BFM KCCO]

I forgot about Pishkun, but my experiences there have been similar to yours at Arod. I have had decent spearing luck there however.

[fuzz]

Ya never really explored much north been reading on places just don't wanna go blind n have bad luck like you said if they don't catch fish n stay on em then it's boring n then they don't wanna go as much is Pushkin hard to find nicer pike or is it a lot of hammers

[trout hounder]

go to bynum and catch the perch and trout and maybe a walleye but for a newbie u catch all day
 

[Houdy66]

There can be great pike fishing in the Clearwater chain of lakes, and it's only a couple hours away. Access is very easy to most of them and they are great for newbies.

[born4theoutdoors]

Has anyone ever ice fished the Clearwater by Harper's for pike?  I have only been there in the summer.  Does it freeze up?

[esoxchaser]

Ya never really explored much north been reading on places just don't wanna go blind n have bad luck like you said if they don't catch fish n stay on em then it's boring n then they don't wanna go as much is Pushkin hard to find nicer pike or is it a lot of hammers

There are good fish in there for sure, but I wouldn't know how hard they are to catch.  A few years back they were all small hammer handles but in 2004 FWP started trapping and removing some of the fish.  Now I think you have a shot at northerns in the 5-15lb range, not to mention rainbows that don't get eaten by pike and get up to 10-12lbs 

[Fortpeck1]

I fish it later in the ice season.
Watch the ice it changes daily with the rive current.
I catch northerns in the 2-4 lb range. biggest is 8lbs.
Also lots of perch,weed through the small one,you will get a few keepers.

[fuzz]

Thanks for the info I went to Noxon n got a bunch but hate the 2pole limit I was thinking salmon area but don't have a clue of the lake or anything never even been that direction in 10+yrs

[untouchable]

What about Frances? I know a lot of guys from Great Falls go up that way

[vicster]

For a day trip from Helena I'd say Tiber or Francis would be your best bet for getting on numbers.  Clearwater chain can be good but if it's off you only get two lines.  Francis and Tiber you get 6 per person and while it can be some work tending the set you can do pretty good with tip ups.  Both have good populations of pike with a few gators, plus there are good perch populations and walleye to target while you let your tip ups soak.  Pishkun can be finicky, there are some big pike but overall I'd say there is a lower density than Tiber or Francis.  Some big perch there as well but they are deep and can be tough to find, unless you already know where they are;)

[fuzz]

Ya idk anything about those lakes or how ice or where to even go I'm wanting to try Sunday but idk what lake to go too

[untouchable]

So on Tiber can you use live minnows?

[vicster]

Yeah, and they are available in great falls, scheels and Roberts Bait.  Willow creek is fishing as is parts of Francis, although ice there is variable from reports.

[fuzz]

So what ya think arod or pishkin this Sunday.......if there's ice or maybe Frances I want pike lol

[sunnyslope]

Arod is a tough lake there are some big fich in there but I think a lot of food so they don't bite well

[trout hounder]

Arod is a tough lake there are some big fich in there but I think a lot of food so they don't bite well

they bite just fine if you know how to set up and where to set up ive never had a day where i didnt bring a limit home a couple times ive gone and set two tipups and catch a limit

[trout hounder]

Arod is a tough lake there are some big fich in there but I think a lot of food so they don't bite well

they bite just fine if you know how to set up and where to set up ive never had a day where i didnt bring a limit home a couple times ive gone and set two tipups and catch a limit

[sunnyslope]

Ya but when you set up 6 you should get 3 times limit though right

[trout hounder]

right you can set six but usually im setting one and the other goes off so i run between two of them.

[fuzz]

I've never done good there only a few small one n that's all is there a depth ya look for

[trout hounder]

yes there is

[trout hounder]

if you guys would like to meet up and go see wat we can do

[untouchable]

Fuzz, you'll have to let me know how things go and if its worth the drive. The wife wants to pull the camper for a two day trip or maybe even a long weekend after some gators! Thanks

[fuzz]

I work on sat but I'd be up Sunday morning early if your gonna be there that day

[trout hounder]

i might let me see wat im doin

[fuzz]

OK sounds good do ya fish the main lake or the lower ones

[MontanaTroutSlayer]

Salmon Lake can be hit or miss.. I normally start near the main boat launch and have our group scatter the area to find pike.. Working closer to the inlet and across the opposite shore from the boat launch. The clearwater lake system can produce pike when the ice get thick enough..

[trout hounder]

OK sounds good do ya fish the main lake or the lower ones

the main lake and i usually look for the perch and carp too.