Bowback Lake Fishing near Red Lodge, Montana

• Overview

  Look for Bowback Lake in Carbon County, Montana. It sits at 10,420 feet above sea level. It covers about 4 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Most waters listed here for Carbon County are larger. Red Lodge is the closest place, 18 miles off. Beyond it, Absarokee at 29 miles and Columbus at 39 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Bowback Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Across Carbon County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brook trout and sauger. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. The shape of Bowback Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 13°F in January and 46°F in August. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid June. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid June until roughly late October. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. At Bowback Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Ship Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Bowback Lake locally before you travel.