West Fishtail Creek Lakes in Stillwater County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  West Fishtail Creek Lakes is one of the Stillwater County listings for Montana. Land around it is mixed forest. On water this small, stealth matters more than range. It is a small entry by Stillwater County standards. Absarokee sits 24 miles from the bank. Red Lodge is 28 miles and Columbus 36 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on West Fishtail Creek Lakes

  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. Records held for Stillwater County cover rainbow trout, california golden trout and brown trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At West Fishtail Creek Lakes light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 47°F at the top of summer and 17°F at the bottom of winter. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid June. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid June until roughly early November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It holds true on West Fishtail Creek Lakes more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. 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. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Wood Lake sits 1.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish West Fishtail Creek Lakes.