Spogen Lake Fishing in Carbon County, Montana

• Overview

  Within Carbon County, Montana, you have Spogen Lake. Everything around it is lake country bush. Surface area runs to about 12 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is high ground by Montana standards. The nearest town is Red Lodge, 23 miles away. Further out sit Absarokee (36 miles) and Cody (45 miles). No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Spogen Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. 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. Species logged across Carbon County include rainbow trout, brook trout, sauger and walleye. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The shape of Spogen Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 13°F and August at about 47°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Count the season from break-up, usually mid June. Averages suggest open water from about mid June through to roughly late October. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan any trip to Spogen Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Wright Lake at 0.3 miles is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about Spogen Lake if anything is unclear.