Fishing Phyllis Lake in Deer Lodge County, Montana

• Overview

  Phyllis Lake falls in Deer Lodge County, part of Montana. This is rolling bush ground. At 6 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Anaconda sits 31 miles from the bank. The big place round here is Boise, 208 miles distant. Not far off: Hidden Lake after 1 mile, Oreamnos Lake within 1.1 miles, Little Johnson Lake after 1.1 miles, Sawed Cabin Lake within 1.4 miles and Kelly Lake after 1.7 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Phyllis Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Deer Lodge County include rainbow trout, brook trout and Arctic grayling. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Phyllis Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 18°F and July at about 53°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid May until roughly early November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Phyllis Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Hidden Lake is 1 mile distant. Check the position at Phyllis Lake before loading the car.