Fishtrap Lake near Thompson Falls: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Montana holds Fishtrap Lake, in Sanders County. The ground round it is rolling bush. It measures about 39 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. It is among the larger waters listed here for Sanders County. For a base, Thompson Falls sits 20 miles out. For a city, Spokane is 104 miles off. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Fishtrap Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Across Sanders County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The shape of Fishtrap Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 60°F, the coldest about 22°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early April. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly late November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It holds true on Fishtrap Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. A toilet block sits half a mile away. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Upper Fishtrap Lake is 0.7 miles distant. Ask locally about Fishtrap Lake if anything is unclear.