Fishing Lily Lake in Beaverhead County, Montana

• Overview

  The Beaverhead County end of Montana holds Lily Lake. The ground around here is mixed forest. Small at around 14 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Anaconda, is 39 miles away. It is 198 miles to Boise, the nearest city. Other water nearby: 2.2 miles away is Sand Lake, Baldy Lake the better part of 3 miles, 3.8 miles away is Elbow Lake, Grassy Lake the better part of 4.2 miles and 4.8 miles away is Schwinegar Lake. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lily Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Beaverhead County include rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Lily Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 53°F for July and 18°F for December. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Once it clears, about mid May, the fishing comes on quickly. Averages place the thaw at mid May and the freeze at mid November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. That shapes the year on Lily Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Sand Lake at 2.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Lily Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.