Fishing Martin Lake in Carbon County, Montana

• Overview

  Martin Lake lies in Carbon County, in Montana. It sits in pine and birch. At 24 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Supplies mean a trip to Red Lodge, 23 miles off. The big place round here is Billings, 75 miles distant. Near neighbours: Scat Lake at 0.4 miles, Little Scat Lake roughly 0.5 miles, Lake at Falls at 0.6 miles, Big Park Lake roughly 0.8 miles and Falls Creek Lake at 1 mile. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Martin Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Fish documented in Carbon County include rainbow trout, brook trout and sauger. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Read Martin Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 49°F, with January the cold end at about 14°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Once it clears, about early June, the fishing comes on quickly. Averages suggest open water from about early June through to roughly early November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan any trip to Martin Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Scat Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Martin Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.