Sheep Lake near Red Lodge: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Sheep Lake is a Carbon County water, in Montana. It sits at 10,013 feet above sea level. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Montana listings. For a base, Red Lodge sits 19 miles out. Absarokee follows at 35 miles, then Cody at 42 miles. Also within reach: Goat Lake 0.1 miles off, Frosty Lake at 1.1 miles, Albino Lake 1.1 miles off, Glacier Lake at 1.2 miles and Moon Lake 1.7 miles off. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Sheep Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Records held for Carbon County cover rainbow trout, brook trout and sauger. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Sheep Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 14°F in January up to 47°F in August. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid June. The open-water window runs from around mid June to about late October in an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Sheep Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Goat Lake sits 0.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Signs at Sheep Lake carry more weight than any list.