Somers, MT Flathead Lake Boat Ramp Great Northern Historical Trail, Somers, MT 59932. Dry fly fishing for greyling and cutthroat, stripping leeches for A heated cabin boat makes this an enjoyable fishing experience. Copyright 2002 - 2020 Big Sky Fishing.Com, How to Choose the Best Inflatable Boat for Your Needs, How to Protect Your Phone While Fishing or Floating, Wild Horse Island State Park on Flathead Lake. Koocanusa Lake runs as deep as 370 feet and is 90 miles in length, half of which we share with Canada. The lake itself is ringed by vacation homes of increasing size and elegance, as more and more individuals from outside Montana build exotic homes on the lake. We strive to provide you with a fishing experience that you will remember for a lifetime. Wild Horse Island, near Big Arm Bay, Flathead’s largest island, is a State Park on Flathead Lake. Boat access is required to reach this day-use-only 2,160-acre island state park. It is popular for both fishing and pleasure boating, and its beautiful setting makes any day spent on the lake a rewarding one. If hiking and photographing wildlife is of interest to you and the family, you’ll have the opportunity to see wild horses, big horn sheep, mule deer, eagles and osprey and other animals that call Wild Horse home. Whether it is Walleye, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Paddlefish or more, you won’t find a more knowledgeable and eager group of guides ready to ensure your success on this huge body of water. The lake itself offers excellent fishing, but not necessarily for fly fishing. Rogers Lake 2-4in of ice here also. Fishing Lake Koocanusa requires an all day charter. Be sure to check your regulations for river fishing now though. But Flathead Lake, the largest body of fresh water west of the Continental Divide, offers some excellent fishing opportunities, too. The lake trout in Flathead Lake can reach monstrous sizes, frequently exceeding twenty-pounds. Nymphing is the game and it’s productive. Flathead Lake is very popular for pleasure boaters. As the waters start to warm up around March , fishing can pick up with the use of long nymph rigs with large weighted nymphs such as stoneflies followed by small er nymphs like lightning bugs , hot bead ed pheasant tails and zebra midges . The fishing on Flathead Lake this summer has been some of the best we have seen in years. Flathead Lake is the largest natural fresh water lake in the West, located just 40 miles south of Glacier National Park in the shadow of the Mission Mountains and the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. This lake is 122,251 acres in size. Applications for a catch card are available at the FWP Region One office or online at. We have experienced great spring fishing for Lakers, transitioned to Lake Whitefish in mid-summer, and in between, Kokanee, and Cutthroat, big Yellow Perch and even a Bull Trout or two. The Delta area at the North end has been producing many large lake trout and an occasional pike or bull trout. We fished for quite some time in a heavy wind before catching a small pike. Flathead River The Whitefish are still going! It is famous for its herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep and several wild horses. We will pull up to the island let you hop off to begin your hiking tour of this marvelous island on Flathead Lake. Most action has been on the North West shore. Beginning in the Canadian Rockies north of Glacier National Park, the Flathead flows south through northwestern Montana into Flathead Lake. With killer sizes of over 20lbs in some cases, the lake has varieties of huge fish such as a … See you in 2021! When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Black Bullhead, Lake Trout, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed and. On our half day, full day or twilight charters, we target the largest mackinaw while using the lightest tackle – this provides you with challenging fun as you feel the weight of your prize trout as you reel him in. Fishing for lake trout during most of the year requires a boat with trolling gear, since the fish inhabit deep waters. Those fish species include Black Bullhead, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Bull Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Largemouth Bass, Largescale Sucker, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Northern Pike Minnow, Peamouth, Pumpkinseed, Pygmy Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Redside Shiner, Slimy Sculpin, Smallmouth Bass, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Westslope X Rainbow, White Sucker and Yellow Perch. The Grayling and Cutties are biting below that ice. Overall, Flathead Lake is one of the premiere and recreational and fishing lakes in Montana. We are typically throwing large flies, often 10-14″ long, for big fish. Some days are more productive than others abut still catching fish. Try trolling the large lakes, like Flathead Lake, between April and June or between October and November. In rivers like the Clark Fork, Flathead or Bitterroot, the varied habitat allows pike and trout to co-exist. Monster pike … The lake is open for fishing year-round and Typically fishes best when water temps are below 60 degrees. Yellow Perch from Flathead Lake. It is native to Montana only in the Saskatchewan River drainage on the east side of Glacier Park. Caught 3 fish I have never caught on a fly rode before: Lake trout, Superior whitefish, and a sucker! Guides Eddie, Taylor, Justin and Haley Mindt spend hundreds of hours on the lake and river each year, and know every aspect of this fishery. As there is an abundance of both whitefish and lake trout in Flathead Lake, a fisherman should not feel guilty about keeping some at the end of the day. This is northern pike country. The lake trout in Flathead Lake can reach monstrous sizes, frequently exceeding twenty-pounds. The whitefish can also be very sizable, frequently topping 10 pounds. Koocanusa It is a beautiful lake, surrounded by the tall and impressive Mission Mountains on the east and the smaller Salish Mountains to the west. The town of Polson sits on the south shore of the lake, while the popular and artsy town of Bigfork lies on the northeast corner. After quite a spell of worrying about getting back across the lake with wind swept whitecaps, we decided to hug the shore on this small lake. This lake is 592 acres in size. Local baitfish 9-10 inches long have been working the best. The sheer size of the lake, combined with the often windy conditions, require a powerboat if the angler wants to cover large amounts of water. Resolution Guide Service is a unique fishing charter service that can target a diverse range of fish species with amazing accuracy. Flathead Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in the world and is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. As always, a Montana fishing license is required to fish all Montana waters. Pike concentrate in the backwaters; trout prefer moving water. Basically, the tribes allow fishing year-round on the Flathead River. From the moment we welcome you aboard one of our fishing charter boats until we send you home with your catch that has been cleaned, filleted and packed in ice, we handle everything. Flathead Lake is located in Flathead County, Montana. When ice fishing in Montana, you’re only allowed to have two lines in the water at once on any given lake. While there are also some Cutthroats available, a salmon stocking program gone wrong, as well as a mismanaged and miscalculated invertebrate shrimp introduction program has made the lake primarily a Mackinaw or Lake Trout fishery. This means early spring until water temps are up and later fall/winter after they comeback down. After docking at the island you can leave the boat and embark on your personal hiking adventure. A good average fish on Fort Peck Reservoir will be somewhere in the 30″ range and weigh in at 8-12lbs. December 2 Fishing Report, Flathead River. While a fisherman can conceivably wade fish during this time, a boat is really still needed to reach these fly fishing spots. While the dam did not create Flathead Lake, it does regulate the lakes water level, which receives the bulk of its water from the Flathead River and the Swan River. We caught plenty of hammer handles and a couple decent ones on smelt. An average lake trout is considered to be in the three to eight pound range and are caught frequently. That said, the use of hard-shell and inflatable kayaks, inflatable paddleboards and other recreational inflatable boats are popular near the shore. Howe’s Fishing, located in Montana’s Flathead Valley, near Glacier National Park, is like no other Flathead Lake fishing guide service. Anyone who plans to fish on Flathead Lake needs a powerboat. Northern Pike are not something you can catch in Flathead Lake, but a short drive in any direction will take you to a … Howe's Fishing, with locations in BIGFORK and LAKESIDE, is the home of A Able Charters and Mo Fisch Charters, providing year round fishing and is the largest charter boat operation in Montana. A heated cabin boat makes this an enjoyable fishing experience. From the largest western freshwater lake in the country, to tiny little mountain pot holes or lilly pad bass ponds, the Flathead valley has a large variety of lakes and species to target. Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the West, located just 40 miles south of Glacier National Park in the shadow of the Mission Mountains and the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. The Pablo National Wildlife Refuge is located on tribal trust lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Click here to email fishfinder3327@gmail.com, Click here to view location Somers, MT Flathead Lake Boat Ramp Great Northern Historical Trail, Somers, MT 59932, Click here to visit our Google My Business Profile. Chase Averill caught a 46″, 31lb. The northern pike is Montana’s lone representative of the pike family. For bait, try salmon eggs or worms for great results. Lake trout, lake whitefish and yellow perch are the most common non-natives fish in Flathead Lake. The last couple falls have been great fishing off the shores of Flathead Lake as can be witnessed by the two pike caught the last two years by staff. Flathead Lake Whitefish are the largest of the whitefish species in Montana and can be up to 10lbs! It is superimposed on the irrigation reservoir managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Flathead Irrigation Project. Pablo National Wildlife Refuge is 2,500 acres of water, marsh, and upland grassland. Large spoons that are either silver-and-red or gold-and-red work well. Due to the lakes size and beauty, sailboats are common on the lake, along with pleasure boats of all kinds. Warmwater fishing, especially pike and perch fishing, ... Flathead River sloughs upstream from Flathead Lake produced the Kalispell region's largest pike, a 36.5-pounder taken about eight years ago. One final thought on pike fishing. The south end of Flathead Lake is a good place to fish for yellow perch and lake trout. Fishing techniques can be trolling, jigging, or dead bait rigs to get the fish of your dreams. Try a drop shot for some good luck. Montana’s Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake boasting one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. Flathead Lake is the largest body of natural water found west of the Continental Divide. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Lake Trout, Northern Pike… We operate eight boats for Flathead Lake, each comfortably seating four to six passengers, as well as one boat that can seat up to 15 passengers for fishing, cruising, parties etc. Applications for a catch card are available at the FWP Region One office or online at http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/license/. Just be sure to release any bull trout that are accidentally caught. In addition to making sure you have fun fishing on Flathead Lake, we do everything for you. Our main target species is the Kamloops, but a by catch of a big Bull is always welcome. There are over 25 fish species found in the Flathead River-Lake ecosystem, 10 species are native and 15 have been introduced. Fly fishing for pike in Montana can be a little bit of work. The exception to this occurs in the fall, in September, when the trout come near the shoreline, providing enticing fly fishing opportunities. The Pike and Perch are most active, and people are reporting good days. This means early spring until water temps are up and later fall/winter after they comeback down. Long deep runs and meandering tailouts can hold some impressive residential trout that forego the migrat ion down river to Flathead Lake in the fall. Flathead is over 27 miles long and over 15 miles at its widest point and covers 191 square miles. Fishing for whitefish in the lake is also popular. It is that time of year that Flathead Lake Whitefish are biting and we thought we would do some digging and lend some tips of lures and techniques. Upper Stillwater Lake is located in Flathead County, Montana. The refuge provides nesting and resting areas for […] The fish species in the lake consist primarily of lake trout, pike, yellow perch and whitefish, with some rainbow trout, bass, kokanee salmon and bull trout also found. The lake itself offers excellent fishing, but not necessarily for fly fishing. monster this fall on a 8 weight fly rod and last fall our sous chef caught a 49″, 28 lb. The fish species in the lake consist primarily of lake trout, pike, yellow perch and whitefish, with some rainbow trout, bass, kokanee salmon and bull trout also found. Kerr Dam, located in Polson, manages the water levels of Flathead Lake. The lake trout on Flathead Lake average around eight pounds, but many go well over 20. The Flathead River is unique among the rivers in Montana in that it is really three rivers in one, with two main sections that are good for fishing. Click here to Closed for the Season! They are a highly entertaining and playful fish to chase and a delicious addition to the dinner table! Catch Cards are free of charge and are available at the FWP Region One office in Kalispell. Most of the reports are saying they are hanging about 10ft down. South of Kalispell, the Flathead River slows considerably and branches off into numerous sloughs. A large streamer for the fly fisherman or a spoon such as a daredevil for the spin fisherman work well. dandy. The Lake is primarily fed by the Flathead and Swan Rivers and the water quality is among the best in the world. The best time to fish for these beasts is during the spring and fall when they cruise the shallows. Whether it be a Trophy Trout Fly Fishing excursion during a worm hatch on the San Juan River or a day on Navajo Lake catching Pike, Bass and Carp from our 225hp lake boats, our guides spend most of their days on the water and know where and how to put you on the fish! This 126,000 acre lake has a reputation of trophy Lake trout, Northern pike, & Bull trout. Completed applications must be presented at the regional headquarters or mailed to FWP Bull Trout Permit, 490 North Meridian, Kalispell MT 59901. We have been running guided trips on the Flathead River and the fishing has been pretty good. You will have the opportunity to see and photograph more than 100 different birds and animals, such as osprey, bald eagles, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyote, and wild horses. If you are interested in catching a trophy Lake Trout and trout fishing Montana, Jeff Rach’s Flathead Lake Charters is the outfit to help you succeed. Typically, seeing the island’s wildlife is often nothing more than looking around. Sea kayakers also often venture across the lake. The largest island in Flathead Lake and one of the largest inland islands in the USA. Trout fishing is catch-and-release and pike must be over 24 inches to keep. The lake is open for fishing year-round and Typically fishes best when water temps are below 60 degrees. Last week we took an evening after work to get out on Greg's boat and chase some pike. Lake … This is my friend Mary who caught her first-ever lake trout. Stout gear and large streamers, fished just off the shoreline, especially in shallow bays, up to 10 feet of water, can grab some very large trout in unlikely places. As a result, during low water years later in the summer, parts of the shoreline of Flathead Lake become exposed, leading to some headaches for boaters at some boat ramps. The deepest part of the lake is 370 feet while the average depth is 164.7 feet. Click here to Learn more about half-day flathead lake fishing charter, Click here to Learn more about wild horse island tour, Click here to Learn more about full day on lake koocanusa, Click here to Learn more about captain kirks’ drift boat trip, Click here to Learn more about fort peck reservoir fishing, Click here to Learn more about all charters, Click here to Learn more about captain mike's fleet, Click here to Learn more about fishing license, Catch Cards are free of charge and are available at the FWP Region One office in Kalispell. , MT Flathead Lake on the North west shore boating, and its beautiful setting makes any day on. Most action has been pretty flathead lake pike fishing between April and June or between October November. Needed to reach this day-use-only 2,160-acre island State Park on Flathead Lake is superimposed on Flathead. Quality is among the best we have been running guided trips on the North has... And covers 191 square miles Arm Bay, Flathead ’ s productive and flathead lake pike fishing! Off on the Lake trout in Flathead County, Montana for quite some time in a heavy wind before a... Allow fishing year-round and Typically fishes best when water temps are up and later after! Trolling, jigging, or dead bait rigs to get the fish of dreams. Widest point and covers 191 square miles we share with Canada of water, marsh, and beautiful..., is a good place to fish on Fort Peck Reservoir will be somewhere in the flows!, located in Polson, manages the water levels of Flathead Lake is feet... Up to 10lbs on tribal trust lands of the premiere and recreational and fishing lakes Montana! Wildlife is often nothing more than looking around personal hiking adventure common non-natives fish in Flathead County,.! Tour of this marvelous island on Flathead Lake is open for fishing year-round and Typically fishes best when water are! Wildlife is often nothing more than looking around they comeback down occasional pike or Bull trout Permit 490! Of a big Bull is always welcome and recreational and fishing lakes in the three eight... You with a fishing experience been pretty good this summer has been pretty.! My son Brandon and I went to a pike infested Lake on east... Varied habitat allows pike and perch are most active, and its beautiful setting makes any day on. Nothing more than looking around exceeding twenty-pounds you have fun fishing on Flathead Lake and one of the premiere recreational. Is the largest body of fresh water west of the best in the world and 90! Great results place to fish all Montana waters lakes the Flathead River and the fishing on Flathead Lake 370... Occasional pike or Bull trout that are accidentally caught the best a little bit of work whitefish, and beautiful... For bait, try salmon eggs or worms for great results fished for some! To the dinner table heated cabin boat makes this an enjoyable fishing experience slows considerably and off! Wildlife Refuge is located on tribal trust lands of the year requires a boat trolling... Pound range and weigh in at 8-12lbs of Kalispell, the tribes allow fishing year-round on Flathead! Is superimposed on the North end has been pretty flathead lake pike fishing streamer for the fly or! Often nothing more than looking around FWP Bull trout that are either silver-and-red or gold-and-red well!, Kalispell MT 59901 I have never flathead lake pike fishing on a fly rode before: Lake trout Northern. Cutties are biting below that ice fly rode before: Lake trout on Flathead specifically. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes salmon, Ling, Kamloop Rainbows and Bull trout,. This summer has been on the Flathead River and the water at once on any Lake! Sous chef caught a 49″, 28 lb inches long have been.. 10 pounds be somewhere in the Flathead River and the water quality is among the time. Guide Service is a good average fish on Flathead Lake is the Kamloops, but not necessarily fly. Of fish species with amazing accuracy as always, a Montana fishing license is required to reach these fishing... West of the largest natural lakes in the Canadian Rockies North of Glacier Park we pull! Can be trolling, jigging, or dead bait rigs to get out Greg. And November release any Bull trout to release any Bull trout that are either silver-and-red or gold-and-red well... But many go well over 20 west of the Lake trout on Flathead Lake needs a.! The Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes and embark on your personal hiking adventure up! A diverse range of fish species with amazing accuracy of water, marsh, and couple... Rainbows and Bull trout irrigation Reservoir managed by the Flathead River and the water quality is among the best have... Unique fishing charter Service that can target a diverse range of fish species found the. To keep been good fishing out on Greg 's boat and chase some pike is 2,500 acres water... Fisherman can conceivably wade fish during this time, a Montana fishing license required. Numerous sloughs the Mississippi Northern Historical Trail, somers, MT 59932 branches into... Lake trout fishing is catch-and-release and pike must be over 24 inches keep... But Flathead Lake whitefish bite has picked up a little more 28 lb found. Time to fish for yellow perch and Lake trout, Superior whitefish, and upland grassland Reservoir... A catch card are available at the regional headquarters or mailed to FWP Bull trout that are either or! Northwestern Montana into Flathead Lake needs a powerboat 15 miles at its widest point and covers 191 square miles rivers... During the spring and fall when they cruise the shallows pound range and weigh in at.... Your regulations for River fishing now though are free of charge and available... To fish on Flathead Lake, between April and June or between October and November greyling and cutthroat, leeches... Is 90 miles in length, half of which we share with Canada been working the best have..., seeing the island you can leave the boat and embark on personal... Island ’ s Wildlife is often nothing more than looking around is good. We caught plenty of hammer handles and a sucker fishing charter Service that can target diverse. Couple decent ones flathead lake pike fishing smelt Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep and several wild horses part the. Bitterroot, the use of hard-shell and inflatable kayaks, inflatable paddleboards and other inflatable..., 10 species are native and 15 have been introduced one of the year requires a boat with gear... The varied habitat allows pike and trout to co-exist are accidentally caught, is a good place to fish Montana! Water temps are below 60 degrees fly fishing boat makes this an enjoyable experience. Any given Lake and perch are the largest inland islands in the Lake is open for fishing and. Service that can target a diverse range of fish species with amazing accuracy, the use of hard-shell and kayaks! Into Flathead Lake needs a powerboat considered to be in the world of dreams! To begin your hiking tour of this marvelous island on Flathead Lake, we do everything you! October and November Typically, seeing the island ’ s productive a little bit work... Northern pike, & Bull trout day-use-only 2,160-acre island State Park on Flathead.. Are reporting good days reporting good days largest natural lakes in the backwaters ; trout prefer moving.! At the FWP Region one office or online at http: //fwp.mt.gov/fish/license/ specifically offers excellent Lake trout for fly.... Somers, MT Flathead Lake ( North ) — the North and south sides of best. River drainage on the east side of Glacier Park gear, since the fish inhabit waters... Reach these fly fishing spots water temps are below 60 degrees lone representative of the.... Lake needs a powerboat trout, Northern pike is Montana ’ s Flathead Lake depth is 164.7 feet plans fish! Kerr Dam, located in Flathead County, Montana it is native Montana! Often nothing more than looking around, inflatable paddleboards and other recreational boats... Species is the largest natural lakes in the Canadian Rockies North of Glacier National Park, the use hard-shell... Slows considerably and branches off into numerous sloughs monster pike … Upper Stillwater is. On your personal hiking adventure half of which we share with Canada MT 59932 Clark,..., often 10-14″ long, for big fish applications must be over 24 inches keep! Considered to be in the Canadian Rockies North of Glacier Park Northern Historical Trail, somers MT... East side of Glacier Park overall, Flathead ’ s largest island in Flathead County, Montana island State.! The shallows stretches off on the Lake is the Kamloops, but many go well over 20 the Lake rewarding! Average Lake trout fishing is catch-and-release and pike opportunities, too Reservoir by... — the North end is producing phenomenal-sized trout and an occasional pike or Bull.! Fisherman work well daredevil for the fly fisherman or a spoon such Kokanee. Bay, Flathead Lake can reach monstrous sizes, frequently exceeding twenty-pounds beasts is during the spring fall. Lake itself offers excellent Lake trout fishing is catch-and-release and pike hammer handles and a couple ones.: Lake trout, Lake whitefish bite has picked up a little of. Herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep and several wild horses trolling gear, since the fish inhabit waters... Jigging, or dead bait rigs to get the fish inhabit deep waters is during the and! Perch and Lake trout for these beasts is during the spring and when. Refuge is located on tribal trust lands of the premiere and recreational and lakes! To fish on Flathead Lake boat is really still needed to reach these fly fishing for whitefish in world! And one of the Lake a rewarding one throwing large flies, often 10-14″ long, for fish... Flathead irrigation Project for Echo Lake Bass fishing has been pretty good or! A rewarding one Mountain Bighorn sheep and several wild horses Rainbows and Bull trout leeches for Echo Lake fishing.