Louis Lake Fishing near Eureka, Montana

• Overview

  Louis Lake lies within the bounds of Lincoln County, Montana. The bank gives way to mixed forest. Surface area runs to about 13 acres — small enough to read in one session. Start from Eureka, 21 miles down the road. Lethbridge sits 117 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Round about: Blue Lake at 3 miles, Sunday Lakes 3.2 miles away, Hidden Lake at 3.2 miles, Smokey Lake 3.9 miles away and Rattlebone Lake at 4.4 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Louis Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Across Lincoln County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, brook trout and northern pike. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Read Louis Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 59°F and January about 19°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around late November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. On Louis Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Blue Lake is 3 miles distant. Confirm access to Louis Lake locally before you travel.