Fishing at Lonesome Lake, Carbon County, Montana

• Overview

  Lonesome Lake is one of the Carbon County listings for Montana. The surface lies 10,052 feet up. It sits higher than most water we list in Montana. The closest town, Red Lodge, is 21 miles away. Billings is the closest city, 76 miles away. Also within reach: T Lake within 0.6 miles, 0.7 miles away is Abandoned Lake, Native Lake within 1.2 miles, 1.3 miles away is Echo Lake and Albino Lake within 1.3 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Lonesome Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Carbon County records list rainbow trout, brook trout, sauger and walleye among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Lonesome Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 51°F, while January sits near 16°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late May. Open water usually runs from late May until about early November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. The season on Lonesome Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. T Lake at 0.6 miles is the sensible second choice. The position on Lonesome Lake is worth confirming on the day.