Fishing at Lena Lake, Glacier County, Montana

• Overview

  In Montana, Lena Lake falls inside Glacier County. Mixed forest runs right down to the water. Surface area runs to about 10 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Glacier County are larger. The nearest town is South Browning, 18 miles away. The nearest city of size is Lethbridge, 93 miles away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Lena Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Glacier County include brook trout, northern pike and longnose sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Lena Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 17°F to 56°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at mid November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It holds true on Lena Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Jackstraw Lake at 1.2 miles is the sensible second choice. For Lena Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.