Obermayer Lake in Lincoln County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Look for Obermayer Lake in Lincoln County, Montana. It sits in rolling bush. About 9 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The nearest town is Bonners Ferry, 28 miles away. The big place round here is Spokane, 112 miles distant. Other water nearby: Vinal Lake out at 3.8 miles, Lake Rene 5.1 miles off, Hoskins Lake out at 6.2 miles, Fish Lakes 8 miles off and Okaga Lake out at 10 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Obermayer Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Species logged across Lincoln County include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, brook trout and northern pike. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Obermayer Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 61°F in August and bottoms out near 20°F in January. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. From about early April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. It sets the rhythm of the year at Obermayer Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Vinal Lake at 3.8 miles is the nearest alternative. For Obermayer Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.