Montana lake guide
Middle Thompson Lake Fishing
Middle Thompson Lake is the practical anchor for many Thompson Chain trips and deserves a separate page for access and planning clarity.
LocationLincoln County, Montana
Primary targetsLargemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size557 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth54 feet
Max depth160 feet
Elevation3,398 feet
Public launches1
Summer cautionWind
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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Did you know?
What makes Middle Thompson Lake distinctive
Middle Thompson Lake reaches about 160 feet at its deepest documented point.
Middle Thompson Lake sits at roughly 3,398 feet in elevation, so seasonal access and water temperature can differ sharply from lowland lakes.
Middle Thompson Lake is documented in Lincoln County County with a dedicated FishyNW fishing and access 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
Middle Thompson 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.
Bass and sunfish
Largemouth Bass
Look for weeds, docks, wood, shade, and warmer pockets.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Rainbow Trout
Use bait, small spinners, spoons, or slow trolling depending on access.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Northern Pike
Fish weeds, bays, ambush edges, and baitfish areas.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Yellow Perch
Use small jigs, bait, or dropper rigs near schools.
View species guide
Stocking information
Middle Thompson 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 stocked61,119
Stocking events2
Years stocked2
Species stocked1
Species in this period: Rainbow Trout
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 30,644 | 2.8 in avg length | Jocko River Trout Hatchery · Montana FWP Fish Stocking Records |
| Jun 21, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 30,475 | 3.7 in avg length | Jocko River Trout Hatchery · Montana FWP Fish Stocking Records |
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Last checked: Aug 26, 2026 12:49pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
8
verified signals
Research & surveys
Agency-backed record
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, bass- 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
bass, panfish- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Wind, weeds, algae, heat, and heavier boat traffic.
Fall
trout, bass, pike or muskie- 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
FishMT directs anglers to the current Montana fishing regulations for this Western Fishing District water. Verify the current district rules and any emergency restrictions before fishing.
Official field updates Recent surveys and fishing pressure
Official surveys and pressure information can help with trip planning. Conditions change, and these updates do not guarantee current fishing.
Rainbow trout, Yellow perch, Northern pike, Largemouth bass
Montana FishMT lists Middle Thompson Lake with waterbody information, survey data, additional files, and historical Thompson Lake fishery references.
Rainbow trout, Yellow perch, Northern pike, Largemouth bass
Montana FishMT source check includes fishery survey, sampling, or population context for Middle Thompson Lake. This supports species planning for Rainbow trout, Yellow perch, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, not guaranteed success.
Rainbow trout, Yellow perch, Northern pike, Largemouth bass
FishMT lists Middle Thompson Lake pressure estimates for 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2017. Use as a public angling pressure signal.
Rainbow trout, Yellow perch, Northern pike, Largemouth bass
FishMT lists a Middle Thompson Lake bathymetric map file. Use as planning context that official map resources are available.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Thompson Chain of Lakes
about 1.4 miles away
The Thompson Chain of Lakes west of Kalispell is a multi-lake fishing corridor with trout, kokanee, perch, bass,…
Upper Thompson Lake about 3.9 miles awayUpper Thompson Lake gets its own page so anglers can separate it from the broader Thompson Chain when…
Lower Thompson Lake about 4.3 miles awayLower Thompson Lake rounds out the individual Thompson Chain pages so anglers can compare each water instead of…
McGregor Lake about 10.2 miles awayMcGregor Lake is a 1,521-acre deep coldwater lake west of Kalispell with lake trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, and…
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.