Continental Lake, Montana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Continental Lake is set in Deer Lodge County, Montana. The water sits 7,795 feet up. At roughly 4 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Deer Lodge County standards. Anaconda is the closest place, 36 miles off. The nearest city of size is Boise, 201 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Continental Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Deer Lodge County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brook trout, Arctic grayling and brown trout. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Continental Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 18°F and July at about 54°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. After mid May the shallows warm and the fish move up. Averages suggest open water from about mid May through to roughly mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Continental Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Crystal Lake at 0.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Continental Lake before loading the car.