Montana Lake near Oconto Falls: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Montana Lake stands in Oconto County, Wisconsin. The bank gives way to pine and birch. Around 143 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Around 1.8 miles of margin, front to back. Few waters listed in Oconto County are bigger. Some 12 miles away sits Oconto Falls, the nearest settlement. Green Bay is the closest city, 37 miles away. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Montana Lake

  Measured depth reaches about 25 feet at the deepest point. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Oconto County include brown trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and northern pike. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The near bank of Montana Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 69°F and January near 14°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near early December: that is the shape of an average year. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. The season on Montana Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Jones Lake at 1 mile is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Montana Lake.