Halfmoon Lake Fishing in Flathead County, Montana

• Overview

  Halfmoon Lake lies in Flathead County, in Montana. Pine and birch runs right down to the water. Surface area runs to about 5 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Flathead County are larger. The town to know is Columbia Falls, 19 miles out. Whitefish lies 25 miles off, Evergreen another 28 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Halfmoon Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Flathead County include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, largemouth bass and brook trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Fish Halfmoon Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 61°F, with January the cold end at about 20°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. The season on Halfmoon Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Harrison Lake at 3.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Halfmoon Lake locally before you travel.