Montana Lake & Reservoir Fishing Report

This report is valid October 5 through October 20 or so.

Public Reservoirs – Low Elevation: Better than they were during the summer, but we don’t think a whole lot about these lakes in the fall. Maybe go strip giant streamers on Toston Reservoir looking for a pike?

Public Reservoirs – High Elevation (Hebgen, etc.): Will fish well on calm mornings, though they’re a long way from here. Definitely focus on the inlets to all lakes that hold brown trout, as the trout will be staging if not already running.

Private Lakes: This is PRIME TIME on the private lakes. The fish get aggressive with the first big cooldown and put on the feedbags in preparation for a long winter. Fish leeches and streamers in the #6-12 range, a big one with a smaller trailer.

Beartooth Lakes: The recent heavy snow and cold at high elevations means these lakes are done until next July.

Note: We update our general fishing report far more often than our fishery-specific reports like this one, especially between November and April.