Sanders Lake Fishing Guide, Missoula County, Montana

• Overview

  Sanders Lake lies in Missoula County, Montana. It sits in mixed forest. At about 44 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The edge runs 1.0 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. For a base, Bonner-West Riverside sits 13 miles out. It is 168 miles to Spokane, the nearest city. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Sanders Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Fish documented in Missoula County include rainbow trout, brook trout and cutthroat trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Sanders Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 19°F and August at about 56°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early May. Ice clears near early May and comes back about mid November in a typical year. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Plan around that when you fish Sanders Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Little Lake, 1 mile away. Treat access at Sanders Lake as something to verify.