Fishing Fizzle Lake in Park County, Montana

• Overview

  Fizzle Lake lies in Park County, Montana. The bank is 9,826 feet above sea level. Roughly 36 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. It ranks high for size among our Park County listings. Start from Red Lodge, 28 miles down the road. Beyond it, Absarokee at 34 miles and Columbus at 46 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Fizzle Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Park County include rainbow trout, brook trout, california golden trout, brown trout and black-spotted cutthroat trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Fish Fizzle Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 47°F and January reads 13°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Once it clears, about mid June, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up near mid June, freeze-up near late October: that is the shape of an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. The season on Fizzle Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Basin Lake is 0.6 miles off. For Fizzle Lake in particular, ask before you travel.