Painted Rocks Lake in Ravalli County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Out in Ravalli County, Montana, sits Painted Rocks Lake. It sits at 4,682 feet above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 565 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. On our Ravalli County list it sits near the top for size. Hamilton is the closest place, 38 miles off. Boise sits 172 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Painted Rocks Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. County-wide records name rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout and sockeye salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Painted Rocks Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 60°F and December at 21°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Painted Rocks Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Public data records a boat ramp half a mile out. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Piquett Lake sits 5.7 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Painted Rocks Lake is worth confirming on the day.