Snail Lake, Montana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  You will find Snail Lake in Park County, Montana. It stands 10,013 feet above sea level. At roughly 3 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Park County standards. Start from Red Lodge, 25 miles down the road. Absarokee lies 35 miles off, Columbus another 46 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Snail Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Park County include rainbow trout, brook trout and california golden trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Fish Snail Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August near 49°F and January near 14°F on the long-run figures. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early June. In an average year the thaw lands around early June and the freeze near early November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Snail Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Planaria Lake is 0.1 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Snail Lake.