Montana Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Montana.
Canyon Ferry Lake
Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir)
Flathead Lake
Fort Peck Lake
Hungry Horse Reservoir
Lake Koocanusa
More Montana lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Canyon Ferry LakeLewis and Clark & Broadwater Counties · 33,535 acres
Canyon Ferry Lake
A large Missouri River reservoir between Helena and Townsend, held back by Canyon Ferry Dam. It is one of Montana's most popular fishing lakes, known for stocked rainbow trout, walleye and yellow perch.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Rainbow Trout
FWP stocks rainbows every year and many adults run 18 to 20 inches. Troll or cast from shore; the south end is often best in fall.
Walleye
Self-sustaining population with lots of 13 to 15 inch fish. Drift spinner rigs in the evening; in fall try the south end ponds and near Goose Bay in 10 to 15 ft.
Yellow Perch
Numbers rise and fall with water levels and weed growth. Often picked up by walleye anglers and through the ice.
Burbot
Native ling. A small fishery, mostly fished near the bottom in winter.
Boat launches
7 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- HellgatePublicBureau of Reclamation. Two boat ramps, trailer parking, campground and day-use areaDirections ↗
- SilosPublicPublic ramp at the Silos marina and campground areaDirections ↗
- White EarthPublicBureau of Reclamation campground with boat accessDirections ↗
- Jo BonnerPublicBureau of Reclamation campground with boat accessDirections ↗
- Goose Bay MarinaMarinaReclamation concession. Boat ramp, fuel, store, 300 Goose Bay LaneDirections ↗
- Kim's MarinaMarinaReclamation concession. Boat ramp, fuel, store, 8015 Canyon Ferry RdDirections ↗
- Yacht Basin MarinaMarinaReclamation concession. Boat ramp, fuel, store, 3555 West Shore DrDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Canyon Ferry Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Sportsman's WarehouseNearby2990 N Sanders St, Helena(406) 457-7200Directions ↗
Local tips
- The reservoir rises and falls about 12 feet a year, which affects ramps and shallow weed beds.
- This is a big, open, windswept lake; watch the forecast and stay close to shore when wind builds.
- FWP encourages anglers to keep smaller walleye, and the lake has a fish consumption advisory, so check the guidelines before eating fish.
Hungry Horse ReservoirFlathead County · 23,800 acres
Hungry Horse Reservoir
A 34-mile-long reservoir on the South Fork of the Flathead River in the Flathead National Forest, about 15 miles south of Glacier National Park's west entrance. It is a remote, clear mountain lake known for native westslope cutthroat trout, with bull trout and whitefish also present.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Smaller native cutthroats in secluded bays and creek mouths from May through October. Small spinners, spoons and flies work.
Mountain Whitefish
Present throughout the reservoir. Small baits and flies near creek inlets.
Bull Trout
A protected native species with special rules. Learn to identify them and check FWP regulations before fishing.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Doris Point Boating SitePublicFlathead National Forest, run by concessionaire Flathead Valley Campgrounds. West Side Road #895, picnickingDirections ↗
- Emery BayPublicFlathead National Forest boating access and campground on the west sideDirections ↗
- Lost Johnny PointPublicFlathead National Forest campground with boating access on the west sideDirections ↗
- Abbot BayPublicFlathead National Forest boating access on the east sideDirections ↗
- Murray BayPublicFlathead National Forest boating access and campground on the east sideDirections ↗
- Crossover Boating SiteFreeFree Forest Service launch on East Side Road #38, about 46 miles south of Hungry HorseDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Hungry Horse Reservoir are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Lary's Fly and SupplyNearby604 Nucleus Ave, Columbia Falls(406) 897-3740Directions ↗
Local tips
- The reservoir is drawn down a long way in winter and spring, so check water levels and which ramps reach the water before you go.
- Two gravel roads circle the lake: West Side Road #895 over the dam and East Side Road #38. There is no gas after the town of Hungry Horse.
- Bull trout have special protections here. Know how to tell them from cutthroat and check FWP rules.
Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir)Liberty & Toole Counties · 17,886 acres
Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir)
A large prairie reservoir on the Marias River behind Tiber Dam, about 18 miles southwest of Chester in north-central Montana. It is known for walleye and northern pike, with rainbow trout also in the lake.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
The main draw. Work points and drop-offs with jigs and crawler harnesses, and troll crankbaits in summer.
Northern Pike
Shallow bays and creek arms in spring. Spoons, spinnerbaits and large swimbaits.
Rainbow Trout
Cruise open water. Troll spoons or still-fish bait from shore. Rainbow and brown trout also live in the Marias River below the dam.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Tiber MarinaMarinaConcession marina on Bureau of Reclamation land. Boat ramp, store, fuel, fish cleaning station, campsitesDirections ↗
- Willow CreekRampBoat ramp in Liberty CountyDirections ↗
- North BootleggerRampBoat ramp on the Toole County sideDirections ↗
- South BootleggerRampBoat ramp on the Toole County side, off Bootlegger TrailDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir) are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir) ↗Local tips
- Water levels normally swing about 17 feet a year, so ramps and shorelines change through the season.
- This is open prairie water. Wind can build big waves fast, so watch the forecast.
- Services are limited. The marina near the dam is the main place for fuel and supplies.
Lake KoocanusaLincoln County · 29,011 acres
Lake Koocanusa
A long, narrow reservoir behind Libby Dam on the Kootenai River, running about 48 miles from the dam to the Canadian border and on into British Columbia. It is known for big rainbow trout, kokanee, and catch-and-release bull trout in a remote mountain setting.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Rainbow Trout
Stocked by FWP and can grow large. Troll spoons and plugs near the surface early, deeper as water warms.
Kokanee
Troll small spoons and dodgers with corn or maggots, following schools down as summer goes on.
Bull Trout
Catch and release only, with a free FWP catch card. Big fish feed on kokanee in open water.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Near creek mouths and shorelines in spring and early summer.
Burbot
Bottom fishing with bait at night in winter and early spring.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Rexford BenchPublicKootenai National Forest site near Eureka. High- and low-water boat rampsDirections ↗
- Peck GulchPublicKootenai National Forest campground. High- and low-water ramps, trailer parking; steep, narrow access roadDirections ↗
- McGillivrayPublicKootenai National Forest site on the west shore. High- and low-water boat rampDirections ↗
- Koocanusa Resort & MarinaMarinaPrivate resort on Hwy 37 near Libby. Launch, slips, rentals, store with bait and tackleDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Trout Open year-round; Lake Koocanusa Bull Trout Catch Card required; record length and zone | See Montana rules book ↗ | 0 (catch & release) |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- 23911 MT Hwy 37, Libby(406) 293-7474Directions ↗
- 13546 Montana Highway 37, Libby(406) 293-7578Directions ↗
Local tips
- The reservoir is drawn down heavily for power and flood control, often lowest in late winter and spring; use low-water ramps when the lake is down.
- Carry a Lake Koocanusa Bull Trout Catch Card if you may catch bull trout, and release every one.
- Afternoon winds funnel down the narrow canyon; plan open-water runs for calm mornings.