South Bear Lake Fishing Guide, Ravalli County, Montana

• Overview

  South Bear Lake is one of the Ravalli County waters in Montana. Height above sea level is 7,369 feet. At 9 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. For a base, Hamilton sits 15 miles out. Spokane sits 168 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on South Bear Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Ravalli County records list rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout and sockeye salmon among the fish reported. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. South Bear Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 55°F, with December the cold end at about 18°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early May. On average, early May opens the water and mid November closes it again. 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 South Bear Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. North Totem Lake at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the current arrangement for South Bear Lake.