Fishing Flat Lake in Sheridan County, Montana

• Overview

  Look for Flat Lake in Sheridan County, Montana. Elevation runs to 2,083 feet. The water covers some 207 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The edge covers about 3.6 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. It lies lower than most water we list in Montana. Nearest place of any size is Plentywood, 24 miles away. The nearest city of size is Regina, 109 miles away. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Flat Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Sheridan County records list northern pike, yellow perch, walleye and largemouth bass among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The shape of Flat Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 69°F and January about 7°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. Ice clears near mid April and comes back about mid November in a typical year. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. On Flat Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. For a change of water, Gaulke Lake is 1.7 miles distant. Nothing on Flat Lake should be assumed from this page alone.