Hawkins Lakes Fishing in Lincoln County, Montana

• Overview

  Montana holds Hawkins Lakes, in Lincoln County. The bank is 6,594 feet above sea level. Small at around 14 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Bonners Ferry sits 25 miles from the bank. Creston is 26 miles away, with Cranbrook at 38 miles. Also on the doorstep: Burke Lake just 1.5 miles, Lake Florence roughly 2.9 miles, Meadow Lake just 5.5 miles, Copper Lake roughly 7 miles and Spruce Lake just 7.3 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Hawkins Lakes

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Lincoln County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, brook trout and northern pike. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Hawkins Lakes gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August near 54°F and January near 17°F on the long-run figures. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near mid November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Plan any trip to Hawkins Lakes around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Burke Lake, 1.5 miles out. Confirm before you fish Hawkins Lakes.