Montana lake guide
Bootjack Lake Fishing
Bootjack Lake near Whitefish is a small but relatively popular fishery with official bathymetry, public walk-in access, stocked rainbow trout, abundant yellow perch and an active FWP burbot-introduction management program.
LocationFlathead County, Montana
Primary targetsRainbow Trout, Yellow Perch
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size35.4 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth18 feet
Max depth80 feet
Elevationabout 3,081 feet
Summer cautionHeat
Lake depth map
Depth contours may take a little time to load. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Contour line20 ft Visible depth label
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Historical survey data may not reflect current water levels or underwater hazards. Informational only; not for navigation.
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What makes Bootjack Lake distinctive
Bootjack Lake reaches about 80 feet at its deepest documented point.
Bootjack Lake sits at roughly 3,081 feet in elevation, so seasonal access and water temperature can differ sharply from lowland lakes.
Bootjack Lake has documented stocking context in the FishyNW research record, adding a managed-fishery component to its profile.
Measured & official data
Water Science
Loading available public monitoring and fishery science…
Pass 3 · depth + water column
Seasonal Fish Habitat
Surface · 0 ft
How to read this data
Temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity, nutrients, chlorophyll-a, pH, and conductivity are observations from public monitoring records and may be historical. Thermocline depth is shown only when FishyNW can derive a strong vertical temperature gradient from a measured profile. It is not treated as a permanent lake characteristic.
Trophic indication uses the Carlson Trophic State Index only when FishyNW can normalize a measured chlorophyll-a, Secchi, or total-phosphorus value. It is a derived ecological indicator, not an agency impairment determination.
Seasonal Fish Habitat is shown only when verified bathymetry overlaps a same-day, same-station temperature and dissolved-oxygen profile. It is a historical screening snapshot, not a live prediction of where fish are located.
For lake trout, FishyNW uses the broader USGS-tested screening combination of water at or below 15°C (59°F) and dissolved oxygen at or above 4 mg/L. For other coldwater species, FishyNW does not invent a preferred-temperature threshold; it shows only the observed thermocline-to-oxygenated-depth refuge when the evidence supports it.
Harmful-algae status is never inferred from missing data. Always check the linked state source for current advisories before contact recreation.
Open matched Water Quality Portal recordsOfficial depth chart
Official static bathymetry
Interactive contours available
Bootjack Lake official depth chart
Open the official depth publication to inspect the lake chart. This static survey complements interactive contours when available and should not be used as a navigation chart.
Fishery record
Documented fish species
These species come from the lake record. Open a species guide for identification, seasonal behavior, and practical tactics without confusing general species guidance with a lake-specific survey result.
Trout and salmon
Rainbow Trout
Use bait, small spinners, spoons, or slow trolling depending on access.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Yellow Perch
Use small jigs, bait, or dropper rigs near schools.
View species guide
Ancient and miscellaneous fish
Burbot
Fish cold water, deep breaks, basin edges, rocky structure, and winter or low-light windows.
View species guide
Stocking information
Bootjack Lake Fish Stocking
Recent stocking information summarized from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Dates and quantities can change. Always verify current fishing rules with the official agency before fishing.
Official stocking history
Five-year summary · 2022–2026
View agency record Fish stocked13,740
Stocking events9
Years stocked5
Species stocked1
Species in this period: Rainbow Trout
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 8, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,428 | 3.9 in avg length | Jocko River Trout Hatchery · Montana FWP Fish Stocking Records |
| May 7, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,510 | 3.3 in avg length | Jocko River Trout Hatchery · Montana FWP Fish Stocking Records |
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Last checked: Aug 26, 2026 5:30pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
10
verified signals
Research & surveys
Official survey records available
Use the evidence
Turn records into a fishing plan
- Compare survey evidence with the seasonal guide.
- Use the map to connect depth, access, and structure.
- Confirm current rules and access before your trip.
Trip conditions
Current conditions
Loading the local forecast. Check access and official notices before leaving.
TodayLoading
WindLoading
GustsLoading
Rain chanceLoading
Four day outlook
Tools
Today's Lure Pick
Open Tools for species-specific lure guidance.
Angler interpretation
How the fishery changes through the seasons
This is the practical layer: use it alongside the documented species, depth, stocking, survey, access, and regulation record above. The current season opens first.
Spring
trout- Start here
- Cooler water, recent stocking, fish moving shallow, and protected shorelines or inlets that warm first.
- Watch for
- Cold fronts, changing water levels, muddy inflow, and early-season ramp conditions.
Summer
panfish- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Heat, weeds, algae, heat, and heavier boat traffic.
Fall
trout- Start here
- Cooling water, shoreline structure, points, weed edges, and simple presentations that let you cover water.
- Watch for
- Wind on open water, rapidly changing weather, and shorter daylight windows.
Winter
perch, trout- Start here
- Legal open-water or ice access, stable depth zones, and conservative cold-weather trip plans.
- Watch for
- Ice safety where relevant, ramps, road conditions, cold-water exposure, and current rules.
Know before you go
Rules and restrictions
Montana Western Fishing District lake and reservoir rules apply. Western District lakes are open all year unless a listed exception, emergency restriction, or closure applies. Check the current Montana FWP regulations before fishing.
Getting on the water
Access and launches
Bootjack Lake Fishing Access Site is public walk-in access only. Montana FWP does not document a conventional trailer boat ramp at this site, so FishyNW does not display a ramp pin.
Sorry, there are no mapped boat ramps for this lake yet. Check the access information below for other ways to reach the water.
Local angler stops
Nearby bait & tackle
Independent and locally owned shops near this water. Call ahead if you need a specific bait or item.
Lakestream Fly Shop
Independent fly shop and guide serviceWhitefish, Montana · Long-running independent Flathead Valley fly shop with gear, flies, reports, and guide service.
Chancy & Dave's Fish Camp
Independent bait and tackle shopEvergreen / Kalispell, Montana · Compact local tackle shop stocked for northwest Montana lakes and streams with bait, locally relevant tackle, and fishing advice.
Snappy's
Independent Montana sporting goods storeEvergreen / Kalispell, Montana · Long-running independent Montana outdoor store with a large fishing, marine and water-sports department.
Local-business listings can change. FishyNW does not rank shops by payment or sponsorship. Verify current hours and inventory before driving.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Beaver Lake
about 3.5 miles away
Beaver Lake west of Whitefish is a compact but deep kokanee and rainbow-trout lake with a 111-foot maximum…
Tally Lake about 4.4 miles awayTally Lake is a 1,211-acre, very deep Flathead County lake with lake trout, rainbow and brook trout, yellow…
Whitefish Lake about 5.5 miles awayWhitefish Lake is a 3,315.4-acre Flathead County coldwater lake with lake trout, whitefish, trout, northern pike, and perch.…
Blanchard Lake about 9.4 miles awayBlanchard Lake is a smaller Flathead Valley planning page where access accuracy and species verification are more important…
After the trip
Log what happened on the water
Use CatchSignal for catch reports, trip history, photos, and community activity. Keep your fishing history while controlling how much location detail you share.
Sources & feedback
Verified resources
Official links for this lake
Open the source that matches what you are planning.
Community feedback
See something that needs an update?
Send the correction and, when possible, the source. FishyNW reviews submissions before changing the guide.