Tub Lake, Montana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Montana holds Tub Lake, in Beaverhead County. Land around it is lake country bush. This is a pocket water of some 14 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Dillon at 22 miles is the nearest place to stop. Butte is 46 miles away, with Salmon at 47 miles. Within a short drive: May Lake out at 0.5 miles, Pear Lake roughly 0.5 miles, Chan Lake out at 0.7 miles, Anchor Lake roughly 1.1 miles and Twin Lakes out at 1.2 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Tub Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Survey and observation records for Beaverhead County include rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. The shape of Tub Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 18°F and July at about 51°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late May. On average, late May opens the water and early November closes it again. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan around that when you fish Tub Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. May Lake at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Tub Lake before loading the car.