Wyant Lake in Ravalli County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Ravalli County end of Montana holds Wyant Lake. What surrounds it is pine and birch. Small at around 8 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Hamilton is the closest place, 8.6 miles off. Spokane sits 175 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Other water within reach: Canyon Lake lies 0.4 miles on, High Lake 1.2 miles off, Lomo Lake lies 1.9 miles on, Ingomar Lake 3.5 miles off and Hauf Lake lies 3.7 miles on. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Wyant Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Open biodiversity records for Ravalli County list rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout and sockeye salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of Wyant Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 55°F, the coldest about 17°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around mid May, and the run that follows is short and strong. The water is typically free of ice between mid May and mid November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Wyant Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. 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. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Canyon Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Wyant Lake are worth checking on the day.