Harvey Lake in Teton County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Harvey Lake stands in Teton County, Montana. It stands 4,226 feet above sea level. The water covers some 231 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The perimeter runs near 3.3 miles, so plan the walk before you start. For a base, Choteau sits 13 miles out. It is 124 miles to Lethbridge, the nearest city. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Harvey Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Survey and observation records for Teton County include rainbow trout, yellow perch, northern pike and sockeye salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Work Harvey Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 66°F and January near 23°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late March. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly early December. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Time your trip to Harvey Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Farmers Reservoir, 0.9 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Signs at Harvey Lake carry more weight than any list.