Fishing Anvil Lake in Park County, Montana

• Overview

  Anvil Lake stands in Park County, Montana. The ground around here is mixed forest. About 2 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Our Park County list holds plenty of bigger water. The town to know is Red Lodge, 26 miles out. Absarokee is 37 miles and Cody 47 miles. Water in the same corner: Shrew Lake 0.2 miles, Fritter Lake out at 0.2 miles, Lennon Lake 0.7 miles, Farley Lake out at 0.8 miles and Hatchet Lake 0.8 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Anvil Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout, california golden trout, brown trout and black-spotted cutthroat trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The near bank of Anvil Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 14°F to 49°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Ice-out usually falls in early June, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Averages place the thaw at early June and the freeze at early November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. That shapes the year on Anvil Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Shrew Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Anvil Lake are worth checking on the day.