Fishing at John Reservoir, Valley County, Montana

• Overview

  The Valley County entry here is John Reservoir, in Montana. It sits at 2,487 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 11 acres — small enough to read in one session. It lies lower than most water we list in Montana. Glasgow sits 26 miles from the bank. Malta is 41 miles and Wolf Point 70 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on John Reservoir

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. County-wide records name Chinook salmon, northern pike, cisco, walleye and yellow perch. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On John Reservoir a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 71°F for July and 15°F for January. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. Climate figures give an open season running early April to late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. John Reservoir fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Bend Reservoir is 0.9 miles distant. What applies at John Reservoir may have changed since it was mapped.