Bass Pond Fishing Guide, Sanders County, Montana

• Overview

  Bass Pond belongs to Sanders County, Montana. It sits at 2,520 feet above sea level. At roughly 11 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is low-lying compared with other Montana water we list. Some 10 miles away sits Plains, the nearest settlement. Spokane sits 124 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Bass Pond

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name rainbow trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Work Bass Pond in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 62°F and January about 23°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early April. Averages place the thaw at early April and the freeze at late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Plan around that when you fish Bass Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Burgess Lake, 7.1 miles out. The position on Bass Pond is worth confirming on the day.