Fishing at Akokala Lake, Flathead County, Montana

• Overview

  Akokala Lake sits within Flathead County in Montana. The setting is rolling bush. At 22 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Whitefish sits 33 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Columbia Falls follows at 35 miles, then Eureka at 39 miles. In the same area: Bowman Lake within 2.3 miles, Long Bow Lake lies 2.6 miles on, Numa Lake within 3.8 miles, Middle Quartz Lake lies 4.7 miles on and Lower Quartz Lake within 5.1 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Akokala Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Across Flathead County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, largemouth bass and brook trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Akokala Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 57°F on average, January about 15°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. From about late April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Akokala Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Bowman Lake, 2.3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Nothing here settles the position at Akokala Lake for certain.