Fishing Vogel Lake in Carbon County, Montana

• Overview

  Carbon County in Montana is where Vogel Lake sits. It sits in pine and birch country. At roughly 24 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Compared with other Montana water on our list, it sits high. Red Lodge lies 24 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Billings, 76 miles away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Vogel Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Fish documented in Carbon County include rainbow trout, brook trout and sauger. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Vogel Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 49°F, with January the cold end at about 14°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early June. Average temperatures cross freezing around early June in spring and again near early November in autumn. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Plan around that when you fish Vogel Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Duggan Lake, 0.6 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Ask locally about Vogel Lake if anything is unclear.