Montana lake guide
Tally Lake Fishing
Tally Lake is a 1,211-acre, very deep Flathead County lake with lake trout, rainbow and brook trout, yellow perch, and pygmy whitefish. The Forest Service campground launch provides the primary developed access; depth, cold water, and rapidly changing mountain weather favor conservative boat planning.
LocationFlathead County, Montana
Primary targetsRainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Yellow Perch
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size1,211 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth239 feet
Max depth495 feet
Elevation3,377 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 Tally Lake distinctive
Tally Lake reaches about 495 feet at its deepest documented point.
Tally Lake covers roughly 1,211 surface acres, making it one of the larger waters represented in FishyNW.
Tally Lake sits at roughly 3,377 feet in elevation, so seasonal access and water temperature can differ sharply from lowland lakes.
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 bathymetry resource
Official static bathymetry
Interactive contours available
Tally Lake depth map
Official public lake-depth PDF. Survey age and lake conditions may limit current accuracy. Not for navigation.
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
Trout and salmon
Lake Trout
Use electronics to find deep structure, bait, and suspended marks.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Yellow Perch
Use small jigs, bait, or dropper rigs near schools.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Brook Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Whitefish
Pygmy Whitefish
See cold-water habitat, seasonal movement, and presentation tips.
View species guide
Stocking information
Tally 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.
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 21, 1986 | Lake Trout | 2,664 | 1 in avg length | Bozeman Fish Cultural Center · Montana FWP Fish Stocking Records |
| Oct 17, 1985 | Lake Trout | 17,359 | 5 in avg length | Bozeman Fish Cultural Center · Montana FWP Fish Stocking Records |
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Last checked: Aug 26, 2026 4:40pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
9
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
- Wind, 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 regulations apply unless a current water-specific exception is posted. Verify the current FWP rule book and Forest Service site 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.
Lake trout, Rainbow trout, Brook trout, Yellow perch
FishMT provides a Tally Lake waterbody page with survey-data sections and bathymetric map availability. Use as a source-available survey signal, not a catch report.
Lake trout, Rainbow trout, Brook trout, Yellow perch
Montana FishMT source check includes fishery survey, sampling, or population context for Tally Lake. This supports species planning for Lake trout, Rainbow trout, Brook trout, Yellow perch, not guaranteed success.
Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Yellow Perch
Montana FishMT source check includes fishery survey, sampling, or population context for Tally Lake. This supports species planning for Lake trout, Rainbow trout, Brook trout, Yellow perch, not guaranteed success.
Lake trout, Rainbow trout, Brook trout, Yellow perch
FishMT lists Tally Lake bathymetric map resources, useful for planning big-water trout and perch trips where depth matters.
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
Bootjack Lake
about 4.4 miles away
Bootjack Lake near Whitefish is a small but relatively popular fishery with official bathymetry, public walk-in access, stocked…
Beaver Lake about 7.5 miles awayBeaver Lake west of Whitefish is a compact but deep kokanee and rainbow-trout lake with a 111-foot maximum…
Whitefish Lake about 9.1 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 13.9 miles awayBlanchard Lake is a smaller Flathead Valley planning page where access accuracy and species verification are more important…
Ashley Creek River systemA Flathead Valley tributary flowing through the Kalispell area. Its fish community shifts from colder native-trout habitat upstream…
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.