Lovell Lake, Montana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lovell Lake sits in Deer Lodge County, out in Montana. It stands 7,014 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 5 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Deer Lodge County. Nearest town is Anaconda, 29 miles off. Further out sit Warm Springs (36 miles) and Butte (37 miles). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lovell Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Deer Lodge County include rainbow trout, brook trout, Arctic grayling and brown trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Lovell Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 55°F and January near 18°F on the long-run figures. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Count the season from break-up, usually early May. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early May and starts locking again about mid November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. At Lovell Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Johanna Lake at 3.9 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Lovell Lake before loading the car.