Kaufman Lake Fishing Guide, Park County, Montana

• Overview

  Look for Kaufman Lake in Park County, Montana. Around the bank it is mixed forest. Surface area is around 44 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. On our Park County list it sits near the top for size. Start from Livingston, 21 miles down the road. The big place round here is Billings, 94 miles distant. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Kaufman Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout and california golden trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Kaufman Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 51°F and January about 17°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The lid usually goes in late May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. From about late May to around early November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. That shapes the year on Kaufman Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, West Boulder Lake is 0.7 miles off. Rules at Kaufman Lake are worth checking on the day.