Montana lake guide
Salmon Lake Fishing
Salmon Lake is a Clearwater chain lake where the trip can be fishing, camping, boating, or family recreation depending on timing and access.
LocationMissoula County, Montana
Primary targetsKokanee, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size631 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth32 feet
Max depth70 feet
Elevation3,998 feet
Public launches1
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 Salmon Lake distinctive
Salmon Lake reaches about 70 feet at its deepest documented point.
Salmon Lake sits at roughly 3,998 feet in elevation, so seasonal access and water temperature can differ sharply from lowland lakes.
FishyNW documents 10 fish species here, giving Salmon Lake an unusually broad mix of fishing opportunities.
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
Salmon 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
Kokanee
Troll small dodgers, hoochies, wedding rings, or spinners.
View species guide
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
Trout and salmon
Brown Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Bull Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Whitefish
Mountain Whitefish
See cold-water habitat, seasonal movement, and presentation tips.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Pumpkinseed
See cover, seasonal movement, presentations, and practical gear tips.
View species guide
Stocking information
Salmon 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 stocked125,371
Stocking events3
Years stocked3
Species stocked1
Species in this period: Kokanee
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2024 | Kokanee | 43,014 | 2.5 in avg length | Flathead Lake Salmon Hatchery · Montana FWP Fish Stocking Records |
| Apr 28, 2023 | Kokanee | 32,356 | 2.7 in avg length | Flathead Lake Salmon Hatchery · Montana FWP Fish Stocking Records |
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Last checked: Aug 26, 2026 4:07pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
7
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, kokanee- 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, kokanee early- 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, 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.
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.
Kokanee, Northern pike, Yellow perch, Trout
FishMT provides a Salmon Lake waterbody page with State Park imagery, waterbody information, fish species and survey data sections. Use as official source-available survey context.
Kokanee, Northern pike, Yellow perch, Trout
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks FishMT source check includes fishery survey, sampling, or population context for Salmon Lake. This supports species planning for Kokanee, Northern pike, Yellow perch, Trout, not guaranteed success.
Kokanee, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks FishMT source check includes fishery survey, sampling, or population context for Salmon Lake. This supports species planning for Kokanee, Northern pike, Yellow perch, Trout, not guaranteed success.
Kokanee, Northern pike, Yellow perch, Trout
FishMT’s Salmon Lake page includes Salmon Lake State Park context and official waterbody information, supporting access and family/day-trip planning.
Kokanee, Northern pike, Yellow perch, Trout
Salmon Lake’s official FishMT waterbody and survey sections support a mixed-species seasonal planning signal for Scout, with users reminded to verify current regulations and conditions.
Local angler stops
Nearby bait & tackle
Independent and locally owned shops near this water. Call ahead if you need a specific bait or item.
Heritage Outdoors
Locally owned outdoor and fishing storeSeeley Lake, Montana · Local Seeley-Swan Valley outdoor store carrying fishing equipment, camping essentials, and seasonal outdoor gear.
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
Placid Lake
about 5.9 miles away
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Upsata Lake about 16.0 miles awayUpsata Lake northeast of Missoula is a small western Montana warmwater and ice fishery. Montana FWP highlights high…
Browns Lake about 18.4 miles awayBrowns Lake is a shallow western Montana trout fishery averaging about 10 feet deep with a 27-foot maximum.…
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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.