Fishing at Capeneys Lake, Sheridan County, Montana

• Overview

  Capeneys Lake is one of the Sheridan County waters in Montana. It stands 1,926 feet above sea level. At some 723 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. On our Sheridan County list it sits near the top for size. Plentywood sits 24 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The nearest city of size is Regina, 137 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Capeneys Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Sheridan County cover northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, largemouth bass and black crappie. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. The shape of Capeneys Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 71°F; the cold one sits at 9°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early April. From about early April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Anyone fishing Capeneys Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Katy Lake at 6.5 miles is the sensible second choice. The position on Capeneys Lake is worth confirming on the day.