Fishing at Mystic Lake, Deer Lodge County, Montana

• Overview

  Mystic Lake sits within Deer Lodge County in Montana. The land about it is lake country bush. About 19 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Anaconda is the closest town at 34 miles. Hamilton is 39 miles and Warm Springs 43 miles. Others close at hand: Crystal Lake within 1.4 miles, Park Lake out at 1.6 miles, Continental Lake within 1.8 miles, Lion Lake out at 2.1 miles and Hope Lake within 2.7 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Mystic Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout and Arctic grayling. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Mystic Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 53°F and December reads 18°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid May until roughly early November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Mystic Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Crystal Lake is 1.4 miles distant. Nothing here settles the position at Mystic Lake for certain.