Cott Lake in Powell County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Powell County, Montana, you have Cott Lake. It lies 4,222 feet above sea level. At roughly 21 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. The closest town, Seeley Lake, is 8.5 miles away. Beyond it, Clinton at 29 miles and Bonner-West Riverside at 30 miles. In the same area: Tote Road Lake at 1.6 miles, Big Sky Lake (2.5 miles), Salmon Lake at 3 miles, Cottonwood Lakes (4.3 miles) and Elbow Lake at 5 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Cott Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, northern pike and largemouth bass. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Cott Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 61°F, with January the cold end at about 20°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Anyone fishing Cott Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Tote Road Lake is 1.6 miles distant. Ask locally about Cott Lake if anything is unclear.