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Canyon Ferry Lake

Coordinates: 46°28′53″N 111°32′47″W / 46.481312°N 111.546404°W / 46.481312; -111.546404
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Canyon Ferry Lake
Canyon Ferry Lake
Location of Canyon Ferry Lake in Montana, USA.
Location of Canyon Ferry Lake in Montana, USA.
Canyon Ferry Lake
Location of Canyon Ferry Lake in Montana, USA.
Location of Canyon Ferry Lake in Montana, USA.
Canyon Ferry Lake
LocationLewis and Clark and Broadwater Counties in
Montana,
United States.
Located near Helena, Montana.
Coordinates46°28′53″N 111°32′47″W / 46.481312°N 111.546404°W / 46.481312; -111.546404
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsMissouri River
Primary outflowsMissouri River
Catchment area15,904 sq mi (41,190 km2)
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length30 mi (48 km)
Max. width5 mi (8.0 km)
Surface area33,534 acres (13,571 ha)[1]
Max. depth166 ft (51 m)[1]
Water volume1,550,596 acre⋅ft (1.912632 km3)[1]
Shore length176 mi (122 km)
Surface elevation3,799 ft (1,158 m) msl[1]
IslandsCemetery Island
SettlementsCanton and Townsend
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Canyon Ferry Lake is a reservoir on the Missouri River 20 miles east of Helena, Montana near Townsend, Montana.[2] It is Montana's third largest body of water, covers 33,534 acres (13,571 ha)[1] and has 76 miles (122 km) of shore.[3] It was formed by the building of Canyon Ferry Dam, which was completed in 1954[4] and has been used for electricity, irrigation, and flood control since.

Recreation

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The lake is a popular outdoor destination providing boating, fishing, wildlife habitat, and is nestled against the Big Belt Mountains of the Rocky Mountains. It is considered one of the most popular lakes in the state, with 24 recreation sites around the reservoir.[5] Canyon Ferry Lake has also become a leading ice boat venue for iceboat racing and iceboat world speed record attempts.[6][7] The former town of Canton lies beneath the lake, having been submerged following construction of the dam.

  • Canyon Ferry Lake, north end, viewed from Yacht Basin Marina.
    Canyon Ferry Lake, north end, viewed from Yacht Basin Marina.
  • Aerial View of Canyon Ferry Lake and Canyon Ferry Dam.
    Aerial View of Canyon Ferry Lake and Canyon Ferry Dam.
  • Canyon Ferry Lake in foreground as seen from U.S. Highway 12 near Townsend, Montana. Big Belt Mountains in background.
    Canyon Ferry Lake in foreground as seen from U.S. Highway 12 near Townsend, Montana. Big Belt Mountains in background.
  • Location of Canyon Ferry Lake and other reservoirs and dams built in the Pick–Sloan Program since the 1940s.
    Location of Canyon Ferry Lake and other reservoirs and dams built in the Pick–Sloan Program since the 1940s.

Fishing

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The lake is regularly stocked with fish. Canyon Ferry Reservoir continues to be one of the most popular angling destinations in the state of Montana.[8]

Fish species within the lake
Species Family Class Native to MT
Bluegill Sunfish Warmwater Introduced
Brook Trout Trout Coldwater Introduced
Brown Trout Trout Coldwater Introduced
Burbot Codfish Coldwater Native
Common Carp Minnow Warmwater Introduced
Fathead Minnow Minnow Warmwater Native
Flathead Chub Minnow Warmwater Native
Largemouth Bass Sunfish Warmwater Introduced
Longnose Dace Minnow Warmwater Native
Longnose Sucker Sucker Warmwater Native
Mottled Sculpin Sculpin Native
Mountain Whitefish Trout Coldwater Native
Northern Pike Pike Warmwater Introduced
Pumpkinseed Sunfish Warmwater Introduced
Rainbow Trout Trout Coldwater Introduced
Smallmouth Bass Sunfish Warmwater Introduced
Stonecat Catfish Native
Utah Chub Minnow Introduced
Walleye Perch Warmwater Introduced
White Sucker Sucker Warmwater Native
Yellow Perch Perch Warmwater Introduced
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Trout Coldwater Native

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Canyon Ferry Lake Bathymetry Survey Map" (PDF). Canyon Ferry Lake. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Geographic Data Services Section. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. June 27, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  2. ^ "Canyon Ferry Reservoir". www.visitmt.com. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "Canyon Ferry Lake near Helena Montana". January 4, 2006. Archived from the original on January 4, 2006. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  4. ^ Reclamation, Bureau of. "Bureau of Reclamation". www.usbr.gov. Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  5. ^ "Canyon Ferry Reservoir". Lewis and Clark Trail Experience. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  6. ^ "Windjet Project - Ice record Location". Archived from the original on June 28, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
  7. ^ "Location for ice record challenge".
  8. ^ "FISHMT :: Waterbody Details". myfwp.mt.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
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