Swan Lake, Montana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Swan Lake is listed under Beaverhead County, Montana. The ground around here is rolling bush. This is sizeable water at about 431 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. The margin runs to about 6.8 miles in total. It ranks high for size among our Beaverhead County listings. West Yellowstone is the closest town at 31 miles. Beyond it, Ashton at 41 miles and Saint Anthony at 46 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Swan Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Beaverhead County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. At Swan Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 59°F and January near 13°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count the season from break-up, usually early May. Average temperatures cross freezing around early May in spring and again near mid November in autumn. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It holds true on Swan Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Antelope Pond sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Swan Lake before loading the car.