Conklin Lake near West Yellowstone: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Beaverhead County entry here is Conklin Lake, in Montana. It sits at 6,660 feet above sea level. The water covers some 54 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. A shoreline of some 1.5 miles keeps the choices simple. Size puts it in the front rank of our Beaverhead County list. Some 21 miles away sits West Yellowstone, the nearest settlement. Then Big Sky, 41 miles, and Ashton, 43 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Conklin Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Fish Conklin Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 58°F on average, January about 14°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Once it clears, about early May, the fishing comes on quickly. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. The season on Conklin Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Failing this one, try Goose Lake, 3.5 miles away. The position on Conklin Lake is worth confirming on the day.