Swartz Lake in Lake County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Swartz Lake is set in Lake County, Montana. The ground around here is pine and birch. Small at around 16 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The nearest town is Ronan, 5.3 miles away. Pablo follows at 8.9 miles, then Polson at 15 miles. Nearby alternatives: Crow Creek Lakes 2.5 miles away, Terrace Lake just 3.2 miles, Mollman Lakes 3.4 miles away, Kicking Horse Reservoir just 4.5 miles and Elk Lake 4.7 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Swartz Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Lake County include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon and smallmouth bass. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish Swartz Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 57°F on average, January about 19°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early May and starts locking again about mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Swartz Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. For a change of water, Crow Creek Lakes is 2.5 miles distant. Nothing on Swartz Lake should be assumed from this page alone.