Saint Mary Lake

Anglers know Saint Mary Lake as one of the lesser-trafficked lakes of Montana, United States. The standard playbook on a lake this size is to start shallow at first light, work outward toward deeper water as the sun climbs, and circle back to the shallows before dusk. Surface activity at Saint Mary Lake is a useful tell — boils, swirls, and rising baitfish point straight at the predator zone.

Location

48.7071, -113.5250 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Lake charMountain whitefishRainbow troutBurbotLake whitefishBrook trout

Fishing Techniques

• For Lake char

  Target lake trout in deep, cold water during the summer months, focusing on areas with structure or drop-offs; use a fish finder to locate schools of fish and baitfish.

• For Mountain whitefish

  Use light line (2-4 lb test) for better presentation and sensitivity, and fish near the bottom in runs and riffles.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Saint Mary Lake.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Saint Mary Lake, make sure your licence covers Montana, United States and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

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See all fishing spots in Montana →

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