Goose Lake, Montana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Madison County in Montana is where Goose Lake sits. It sits at 6,588 feet above sea level. At roughly 6 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Start from West Yellowstone, 24 miles down the road. Big Sky is 40 miles away, with Ashton at 46 miles. Also on the doorstep: Otter Lake after 0.3 miles, Hidden Lake at about 0.9 miles, Cliff Lake after 3.1 miles, Conklin Lake at about 3.5 miles and Elk Lake after 4.4 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Goose Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Madison County include rainbow trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout and california golden trout. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Fish Goose Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 14°F and August at about 57°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. The water is typically free of ice between early May and mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Goose Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Otter Lake is 0.3 miles distant. The position on Goose Lake is worth confirming on the day.