Montana Lake & Reservoir Fishing Report

This report is valid July 26 through Labor Day.

Public Reservoirs – Low Elevation: Too warm and jammed with recreational boaters.

Public Reservoirs – High Elevation (Hebgen, etc.): Will fish well on calm mornings, though they’re a long way from here. Some gulper fishing is underway, though wind has been a problem.

Private Lakes: Too warm, with water temps on even the best exceeding 70 degrees by noon daily, and many not seeing surface temps drop below that level at all. It is unethical to fish these lakes right now, even when landowners will be happy to take your money to do so. The one exception is Merrell Lake, the largest of the lot. The problem there is that this one is reserved for Hubbard’s Lodge guests until late September.

Beartooth Lakes: In prime shape, though the mosquito swamps are also in prime shape. The fish are generally not spooky on the hike-in lakes, though golden trout can sometimes be very picky. Try a #18 unweighted Prince. Really.

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