Upper Branham Lake Fishing Guide, Madison County, Montana

• Overview

  Upper Branham Lake lies within the bounds of Madison County, Montana. The ground around here is rolling bush. It covers about 20 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. On our Madison County list it sits near the top for size. Nearest town is Whitehall, 25 miles off. The big place round here is Billings, 170 miles distant. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Upper Branham Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Reported across Madison County: rainbow trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout and california golden trout. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Treat Upper Branham Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 53°F and January near 18°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late May. The lid tends to go about late May and return around mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Plan any trip to Upper Branham Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Gneiss Lake, 0.9 miles out. For Upper Branham Lake in particular, ask before you travel.