Gleason Lake near Hamilton: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Gleason Lake lies in Ravalli County, in Montana. The country here is pine and birch. It covers about 14 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. 13 miles away sits Hamilton, the nearest town. Spokane is the closest city, 191 miles away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it. Fool Hen Lake sits 1.9 miles away and draws most of the attention.

• Where to Fish on Gleason Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Reported across Ravalli County: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout and brown trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of Gleason Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 54°F and December reads 18°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. After early May the shallows warm and the fish move up. In an average year the thaw lands around early May and the freeze near mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. The season on Gleason Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Kneaves Lake, 1.9 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm access to Gleason Lake locally before you travel.