What Are The Best Bass Fishing Lakes in Montana?
Bass fishing in Montana offers an unparalleled experience, combining the state’s stunning natural beauty with some of the finest bass waters in the region. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or someone looking to explore new fishing grounds, Montana’s lakes provide a diverse range of opportunities to catch trophy-sized bass. This guide will take you through the best bass fishing lakes in Montana, offering expert tips to enhance your fishing adventures.
Montana might be best known for its trout fishing, but its bass fishing scene is equally impressive. Below is an in-depth look at some of the best lakes in Montana for bass fishing, each with unique characteristics that make them stand out.
The Top 5 Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Montana
- Noxon Rapids Reservoir
- Bighorn Lake
- Fort Peck Lake
- Echo Lake
- Tongue River Reservoir
Learn more about each body of water mentioned below and what makes them the best bass fishing lakes in Montana.
Noxon Rapids Reservoir
Noxon Rapids Reservoir, located in the scenic northwest corner of Montana, is a prime destination for bass fishing enthusiasts. This expansive 7,940-acre body of water is part of the Clark Fork River system and stretches over 34 miles, making it one of the most extensive reservoirs in the state. With an average depth of approximately 45 feet and maximum depths reaching up to 100 feet, Noxon Rapids offers diverse habitats perfect for largemouth and smallmouth bass.
The lake is characterized by its abundant submerged structures, including logs, rocky outcrops, and extensive weed beds, which provide ideal cover and feeding grounds for bass. Nearby towns such as Trout Creek and Thompson Falls offer convenient access to the reservoir, making it a popular spot for both local and visiting anglers.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Noxon Rapids Reservoir: Focus on fishing near submerged structures and drop-offs during the early morning or late evening hours. Using crankbaits or soft plastics around the weed beds is particularly effective, especially when targeting largemouth bass. For smallmouth bass, consider working along rocky outcrops with jigs or spinnerbaits.
Bighorn Lake
Bighorn Lake, a 71-mile-long reservoir straddling the Montana-Wyoming border, is a top-tier destination for bass fishing in Montana. The Montana portion of this reservoir offers anglers access to approximately 5,574 acres of prime fishing waters. With an average depth of around 50 feet and a maximum depth reaching 120 feet, Bighorn Lake provides a variety of habitats that are ideal for both smallmouth and largemouth bass.
The lake’s clear waters and varied underwater terrain, including rocky ledges, cliffs, and submerged vegetation, create excellent conditions for bass to thrive. The lake is particularly accessible from the town of Fort Smith, making it a convenient spot for both local anglers and those visiting from afar.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Bighorn Lake: To maximize your chances of success at Bighorn Lake, focus on the rocky ledges and points during the warmer months when bass are actively feeding. Jerkbaits and jigs work exceptionally well, especially when fished near submerged vegetation or along steep drop-offs where bass are likely to be hunting for prey.
Fort Peck Lake
Fort Peck Lake, located in northeastern Montana, is a vast reservoir renowned for its exceptional bass fishing opportunities. Covering an immense 245,000 acres, it is one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States, offering over 1,520 miles of shoreline.
The lake has an average depth of 70 feet, with some areas reaching a maximum depth of 220 feet. This varied depth, coupled with the reservoir’s complex underwater terrain—comprising submerged ridges, islands, and timber—creates an ideal habitat for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Fort Peck Lake’s size and diversity make it a challenging yet rewarding destination for bass anglers. Glasgow, Montana, is the nearest town, providing easy access to the lake’s western shores.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Fort Peck Lake: Given the lake’s sheer size, it’s crucial to focus on areas with submerged timber and rocky points where bass are likely to congregate. Using spinnerbaits and swimbaits near these structures is particularly effective. Early morning and late evening are the best times to target both smallmouth and largemouth bass, as they are more active during these periods.
Echo Lake
Echo Lake, situated near Bigfork, Montana, is a popular spot for bass fishing enthusiasts seeking both serenity and productivity. This 695-acre lake is relatively small but is teeming with largemouth bass, making it a prime destination for anglers. The lake’s average depth is around 13 feet, with the deepest point reaching approximately 70 feet. Echo Lake’s clear, shallow waters are filled with weed beds, submerged vegetation, and dock structures, all of which create excellent habitats for bass.
The surrounding area is known for its natural beauty, and the lake’s proximity to Bigfork provides easy access to amenities while still offering a peaceful fishing experience. The abundance of structure and cover makes Echo Lake a consistent producer of quality bass throughout the year.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Echo Lake: Early morning and late evening are the best times to target largemouth bass at Echo Lake. Focus on fishing near the weed beds and dock structures using topwater lures and soft plastics. These techniques are particularly effective during the warmer months when bass are actively feeding in the shallows.
Tongue River Reservoir
Tongue River Reservoir, located in southeastern Montana near the town of Decker, is a prime destination for bass fishing. This 12-mile-long reservoir covers approximately 3,600 acres, offering a variety of fishing environments for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The lake has an average depth of 30 feet, with certain areas reaching up to 70 feet deep.
The diverse underwater terrain, including submerged trees, rocky points, and extensive weed beds, creates ideal habitats for bass. Tongue River Reservoir is known for its consistent bass population, making it a reliable spot for anglers looking to catch trophy-sized fish. The surrounding area is rural, providing a peaceful fishing experience with minimal boat traffic, further enhancing its appeal to serious bass anglers.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Tongue River Reservoir: Target bass near submerged trees and rocky points during cooler parts of the day. Jigs and crankbaits are particularly effective in these areas, especially when fishing for smallmouth bass in deeper waters. Focus on slow retrieves to entice strikes, particularly when the bass are less active.
Why You Should Consider Bass Fishing In Montana
Montana may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about bass fishing, but it should be. The state’s diverse lakes and reservoirs offer a variety of fishing environments, from large, deep waters to smaller, more intimate lakes. What makes Montana truly special is the combination of its pristine natural landscapes and the relative lack of fishing pressure compared to other states. This means that not only are the bass populations healthy, but the experience of fishing in such unspoiled surroundings is unmatched.
Montana offers some of the best bass fishing opportunities in the United States, with a range of lakes that cater to both largemouth and smallmouth bass enthusiasts. Whether you’re fishing in the expansive Fort Peck Lake or the more intimate Echo Lake, each body of water provides its unique challenges and rewards. By understanding the specific characteristics of these lakes and following expert tips, you can enhance your bass fishing experience and make the most of what Montana has to offer.
Remember, the key to successful bass fishing in Montana is preparation, understanding the local waters, and adapting your techniques to the specific conditions of each lake. So, gear up, plan your trip, and get ready to experience some of the best bass fishing the state has to offer.
