When temperatures drop, it's time to fill up your thermos, pack your sled and discover the fun of ice fishing in Montana. Ice fishing is more than just a way to fill the days between the closing of one open water fishing season and the opening of the next. Throughout the winter tournaments take place all over the state. If it's quiet solitude you're looking for, there are plenty of lakes, ponds and winter days to experience this low key sport for (or by) yourself.Â
More than 50 different kinds of fish swim in Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana's largest body of water. The lake is about 134 miles in length and has a maximum depth of 220 feet when full. There are over 1,520 miles of shoreline, longer than the California coast. The reservoir was created from 1933 through 1937 by constructing a 3.8 mile-long dam across the Missouri River. Some of the hotly pursued spe...
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Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, with over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline. The southern half of Flathead Lake is within the boundary of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation. Recreationists must purchase a tribal recreation permit.
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks maintains thirte...
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Canyon Ferry has become one of Montana's foremost recreation areas because of its proximity to Helena, Great Falls and Butte. The reservoir covers 25 miles and there are 24 Bureau of Reclamation maintained recreation sites around the reservoir. There is east access to the reservoir from US Highway 12 east of Helena or just north of Townsend.
Canyon Ferry offers a variety of recreational opport...
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Recreation on Clark Canyon Reservoir and Barrett's Diversion Dam, located on the Beaverhead River south of Dillon, Montana, is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Clark Canyon Reservoir is the site of Camp Fortunate, one of the more significant spots along the Lewis and Clark Trail. It was at Camp Fortunate that the Lewis and Clark expedition met the Limhi Shoshoni Tribe, and cached their canoes...
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Georgetown Lake is a popular recreation area for boating, fishing, camping and windsurfing. It is a large; 3,000 acre, high; over 6,000 feet, mountain lake. The lake is surrounded by the Flint Creek Range to the north and the Pintlers to the south. At Georgetown Lake Kokanee salmon is the most sought after species, followed by rainbow trout. The Lake has four public boat ramps. In winter, Georgeto...
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Hyalite Reservoir is located 10.5 miles up Hyalite Canyon. The reservoir was constructed in the late 1940's and enlarged in 1993. It contains cutthroat trout and arctic grayling. A 'no wake' rule has been instituted, allowing only low speed motoring for trolling. Chisholm and Hood Creek Campgrounds are located on the east shore of the lake offering family camping units, picnic sites, boat ramp...
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Hebgen Lake is approximately fifteen miles long and four miles wide. Hebgen Lake has been called the premier stillwater fishing lake in Montana.
Hebgen Lake is a man-made lake, retained by an earth-fill dam. It was and is a popular vacation and fishing spot, near Yellowstone National Park. In 1959 an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 occurred along a fault that crosses the Madison River. The...
Full DetailsJason Mitchell shares some tips and insights on targeting trophy northern pike, lake trout and walleye on this remote body of water.
