Fishing at Shelf Lake, Ravalli County, Montana

• Overview

  You will find Shelf Lake in Ravalli County, Montana. Land around it is mixed forest. This is a pocket water of some 8 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. The closest town, Hamilton, is 35 miles away. It is 177 miles to Boise, the nearest city. Near neighbours: Piquett Lake 0.4 miles away, Slate Lake about 0.4 miles, Capri Lake 4.4 miles away, Pass Lake about 5 miles and Painted Rocks Lake 6 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Shelf Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across Ravalli County include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and brook trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Shelf Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 19°F and July at about 55°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Look for the thaw near early May; the fishing lifts straight after. Ice clears near early May and comes back about mid November in a typical year. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan any trip to Shelf Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Piquett Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Shelf Lake for certain.