Fishing at Big Lake, Missoula County, Montana

• Overview

  Big Lake lies in Missoula County, in Montana. This is mixed forest country. The water covers some 38 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Start from Bonner-West Riverside, 11 miles down the road. For a city, Spokane is 170 miles off. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout. The area sees roughly 21 inches of rain, heaviest around May.

• Where to Fish on Big Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Missoula County include rainbow trout, brook trout and cutthroat trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Big Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year August sits at 56°F and December at 19°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early May. From about early May 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. It sets the rhythm of the year at Big Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Sheridan Lake, 0.4 miles out. Check the current arrangement for Big Lake.