Fishing Odell Lake in Beaverhead County, Montana

• Overview

  Odell Lake falls in Beaverhead County, part of Montana. Elevation runs to 8,337 feet. It runs to roughly 33 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. It is among the larger waters listed here for Beaverhead County. Supplies mean a trip to Dillon, 38 miles off. Boise is the closest city, 199 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Odell Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Read Odell Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 53°F, while December sits near 18°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid May. Expect the water usable from around mid May until roughly early November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It holds true on Odell Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Lake of the Woods at 0.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Odell Lake.