Little Carlton Lake Fishing near Lolo, Montana

• Overview

  Little Carlton Lake falls in Missoula County, part of Montana. It sits in mixed forest country. The water measures roughly 4 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. On size it sits at the modest end of our Missoula County list. Lolo lies 8.4 miles from the water. After that come Stevensville at 13 miles and Orchard Homes at 15 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Little Carlton Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout and cutthroat trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Fish Little Carlton Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 57°F, the coldest about 20°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late April. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It sets the rhythm of the year at Little Carlton Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. North One Horse Lake at 0.8 miles is the sensible second choice. What applies at Little Carlton Lake may have changed since it was mapped.