Get more stories delivered right to your email. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Formed by the vast Fort Peck Dam, Fort Peck Lake has 1,520 miles of shoreline. Duck Lake. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. When the Montana Power Company built a dam on the Madison River in 1905, Ennis Lake was born. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: Swan Lake is located in Bigfork. Like many of the other best lakes in Montana, Bowman Lake sits within the Glacier National Park. Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State. Wade into crystal clear lakes or pebble-filled trout streams. The clear, cold water in the lakes and rivers is a perfect habitat for trout and other freshwater fish. The 35-mile stretch below Holter Dam, the barrier forming a chain of lakes and Canyon Ferry Reservoir, is the focus of most trout anglers, world famous for its dry fly fishing. Come stay with us at Missoula’s best Bed and Breakfast this spring, and experience the joy of fishing in Missoula for yourself. Lakes in Montana - Montana has an abuncance of quality lakes for fishing, boating, swimming and recreation. There’s an abundance of trout in this river, and the summer dry fly fishing is excellent. The fishing is also good here, and it’s a great destination for a day hike. Begin your search here. Grayling Lake is a lake located just 30.2 miles from Dillon, in Beaverhead County, in the state of Montana, United States, near Lion City (historical), MT. Montana's most popular bass lake is Echo, a 732-acre lake located 15 miles east of Kalispell. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Love Montana? The fishing is good all year long here, though the summer months are the best and the most popular. The Missouri is not to be missed on any fly-fishing trip to Montana. Here are just a few tips to help you get started, and improve the skills you already have: This is arguably one of the most beautiful lakes in Montana. If you go boating there this summer, don’t forget to stop at a roadside stand along the east shore and pick up your Flathead cherries and plums. For campsites with a view, the best campgrounds in Montana are within eyesight of glacial lakes, snowy mountains, and trout-filled rivers, nestling into the many state parks, national forests, and special places across the state. 20. Yellowstone Lake is a massive 35,000 hectare lake that boasts a 180 kilometre shoreline that is home to camping grounds, hiking trails and a fishing bridge, which sits at the north tip of the lake. It’s open for fishing from November 15 to September 15, so you can try for your catch of the day almost anytime. The best bass fishing in Montana takes place in the morning and late evening. Madison River. Ultimate Montana Fishing Montana is known for some of the best river, spring creek and lake fishing in the nation, including many legendary blue ribbon wild trout streams. This is the place to go to try your hand at catching wild, native fish. The list of fishing places is as long as the Missouri River, but these 12 Montana fishing spots are especially perfect for casting a line. There are also a number of beautiful lakes lying along the Rocky Mountain Front that provide excellent fishing, such as Willow Creek Reservoir. Will you be doing any fishing this year? That’s a lot of space to explore! Located near West Yellowstone and Yellowstone National Park, Hebgen Lake arguably offers the best dry fly lake fishing in Montana. Central Montana Lakes Central Montana is home to several of the most productive lakes for fishing in Montana, including Holter Lake and Canyon Ferry Reservoir. This river holds an incredible 6,000 fish per mile, many of which are 20 inches of longer. Fort Peck is one of the most popular fishing spots in Eastern Montana, but there are some other great waters worth exploring. In the winter, come to Hebgen Lake for excellent ice fishing. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: The Smith River is one of the most amazing fishing spots in Montana… if you’re lucky enough to get there. The longest undammed river in the country is gorgeous, and the fly fishing is great. Dress for the Weather . Each February a drawing for permits is held. Fall weather in Montana is very unpredictable—it can be warm and pleasant or you can receive an early dose of winter weather. Avalanche Lake is another of Glacier’s finest. If lake fishing is more your speed, you'll find plenty of options here as well. If you get the opportunity, make an effort to hit the salmonfly hatch here. Montana Fly Fishing Lakes. This area is called the “50 mile riffle,” and it’s nice and wide and shallow. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! You could fish for decades and still not experience the full potential of the Yellowstone. Bring your dogs along, too—Lake Elmo State Park has a 200 square foot dog park. Here are some of Western Montana’s best lakes for fishing, listed from largest to smallest. The clear rivers and streams are fed by runoff from the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, an ideal environment for trout and salmon. The landscapes, besides being stunningly beautiful, are relatively undeveloped - the nation’s fourth-largest state only has a population of 800,000. Kleinschmidt Lake is a lake located just 17.1 miles from Lincoln, in Powell County, in the state of Montana, United States, near Geary, MT. Cast your line in the Paradise Valley or on Flathead Lake, only … In the spring and early summer you’ll most likely catch lake trout using spinners and streamers. Fishing is a central part of life during the spring and summer months in Missoula, and of course there is no shortage of lake and river waters to explore. 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Whether you're a long-time angler, or someone who has only dreamed of pulling in their first big one, there is a lot of information on fishing available out there. Mystic Lake is the deepest lake in the Beartooth Mountains, and it has a nice, large sandy beach to enjoy. Numerous campsites line its shores, so it’s possible to enjoy some lakeside camping. This quintessential Montana lake is a must-see for anyone visiting Glacier National Park. Bass, like all fish, are cold blooded, which means that their body temperature is always the same as the water in which they swim. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! It is not really a great fly fishing but it’s popular for both fishing and pleasure boating. Whether you enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, or just lounging on the shores with a picnic, the perfect lake is never far away when you live in Montana. It is probably the best fishing of the year. Angling for Yellowstone cutthroat trout has been a popular pastime since the late 1800s, with angling still being offered from June 15 to the first Sunday in November. Join us as we discuss the Montana Fishing License options, fishing rules and For the best views, check out the lake by hiking the Trail of the Cedars. James and I had a blast venturing to fish at a mountain lake in Montana to catch some trout! Hebgen Lake: Anglers will find some of Montana's best stillwater trout fishing at Hebgen Lake. Fishing licenses are available through Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. If you plan a trip to Montana in late fall you had better be ready to fish in a snowstorm just in case. The Nelson Reservoir, which is close to Malta, is full of perch and walleye as well as some lesser known species. The Nelson Reservoir, which is close to Malta, is full of perch and walleye as well as some lesser known species. If you don’t mind a little crowd, Lake Elmo is a beautiful place to take the family. 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