Sparhawk Lake in Park County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Sparhawk Lake lies within the bounds of Park County, Wyoming. The surroundings are mixed forest. At roughly 9 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Start from Red Lodge, 23 miles down the road. Billings is the closest city, 78 miles away. Not far off: Sawtooth Lake 0.6 miles off, Duck Lake out at 1.1 miles, Top Lake 1.6 miles off, Dollar Lake out at 1.7 miles and Fantan Lake 2.3 miles off. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Sparhawk Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across Park County, recorded fish include brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Take Sparhawk Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 53°F, the coldest about 17°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid May. The water is typically free of ice between mid May and mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. That is the shape of the year on Sparhawk Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Sawtooth Lake, 0.6 miles away. The position on Sparhawk Lake is worth confirming on the day.