Fishing at Rachel Lake, Carbon County, Montana

• Overview

  Rachel Lake is a Carbon County water, in Montana. It lies 9,879 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 12 acres — small enough to read in one session. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Montana listings. The closest town, Red Lodge, is 21 miles distant. For a city, Billings is 75 miles off. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Rachel Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Carbon County include rainbow trout, brook trout, sauger and walleye. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Rachel Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 13°F and August at about 47°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid June. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid June and starts locking again about late October. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Rachel Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. 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. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. For a change of water, Liver Lake is 0.5 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Rachel Lake.