Redhorn Lake Fishing in Flathead County, Montana

• Overview

  Flathead County, Montana, is where Redhorn Lake sits. Elevation runs to 6,125 feet. At about 31 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Some 35 miles away sits Columbia Falls, the nearest settlement. It is 78 miles to Lethbridge, the nearest city. Nearby alternatives: Gyrfalcon Lake about 2.2 miles, Bench Lake near enough 2.2 miles, Nahsukin Lake about 2.2 miles, Cerulean Lake near enough 3.6 miles and Kootenai Lakes about 5.2 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Redhorn Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Flathead County include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, largemouth bass and brook trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. The near bank of Redhorn Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 55°F for August and 14°F for January. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The lid usually goes in mid May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid May and starts locking again about mid November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Redhorn Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Gyrfalcon Lake at 2.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Redhorn Lake locally before you travel.