Varve Lake near Red Lodge: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Varve Lake sits in Carbon County, out in Montana. The bank gives way to rolling bush. It runs to roughly 26 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. It sits higher than most water we list in Montana. Red Lodge sits 20 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Billings sits 73 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Varve Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Carbon County names rainbow trout, brook trout, sauger and walleye. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Varve Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 13°F in January and 47°F in August. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice-out usually falls in mid June, and the weeks after it fish hardest. In an average year the thaw lands around mid June and the freeze near late October. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. The season on Varve Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Navajo Tarn is 0.5 miles off. The position on Varve Lake is worth confirming on the day.