Corner Lake Fishing in Park County, Montana

• Overview

  The Park County end of Montana holds Corner Lake. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. At roughly 12 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Some 33 miles away sits Red Lodge, the nearest settlement. Absarokee is 38 miles and Columbus 50 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Corner Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout, california golden trout and brown trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Work Corner Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 53°F and January reads 15°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid May. From about mid May to around early November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. That shapes the year on Corner Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Round Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Nothing here settles the position at Corner Lake for certain.