Rattlebone Lake, Montana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Montana, Rattlebone Lake belongs to Lincoln County. It stands 3,363 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 8 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. 17 miles away sits Eureka, the nearest town. Lethbridge sits 114 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Rattlebone Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Lincoln County include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, brook trout and northern pike. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Fish Rattlebone Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 60°F and January near 19°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Open water usually runs from mid April until about late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It holds true on Rattlebone Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Dickey Lake, 1.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Rattlebone Lake before loading the car.