Shannon Lake, Montana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  This water sits in Ravalli County, Montana. The country here is mixed woodland. The whole thing is a single swim; walk it in a minute. Most waters listed here for Ravalli County are larger. For supplies, Hamilton is 14 miles out. Spokane is the closest city, 188 miles away. Others close at hand: Kramis Pond 1.2 miles away, Lake Como lies 1.6 miles on, Little Rock Creek Lake 5.8 miles away, Kidney Lake lies 7.1 miles on and Camas Lake 7.5 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Shannon Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Reported across Ravalli County: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout and brown trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Shannon Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 64°F and December at 26°F. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. On Shannon Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. A toilet block sits half a mile away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Kramis Pond is 1.2 miles distant. Confirm access to Shannon Lake locally before you travel.