Storm Lake Fishing in Ravalli County, Montana

• Overview

  Set in Ravalli County, Montana, this is Storm Lake. The country round it is mixed forest from end to end. About 15 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Some 13 miles away sits Stevensville, the nearest settlement. The big place round here is Spokane, 163 miles distant. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Storm Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Ravalli County include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and brook trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Storm Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 55°F, while December sits near 18°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early May. Averages suggest open water from about early May through to roughly mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It holds true on Storm Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Grimes Lake at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Storm Lake.