Fishing at Lake Turbid, Ravalli County, Montana

• Overview

  Lake Turbid sits in Ravalli County, out in Montana. The country here is rolling bush. At 8 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. 29 miles away sits Hamilton, the nearest town. The big place round here is Boise, 179 miles distant. Near neighbours: Lake Crystal at about 0.2 miles, Dollar Lake within 0.5 miles, Boulder Lake at about 0.9 miles, Canyon Lake within 2.1 miles and Mink Lake at about 2.9 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Lake Turbid

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Ravalli County include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout and sockeye salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Lake Turbid a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 52°F and December about 17°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late May. On average, late May opens the water and early November closes it again. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan any trip to Lake Turbid around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Lake Crystal, 0.2 miles out. Ask locally about Lake Turbid if anything is unclear.