Flathead Lake
Montana·lake

Flathead Lake

Montana

Fishing Swimming Boating

Before you fish

Fishing rules, water conditions, and access change without notice. State fish-and-game agencies update regulations annually — sometimes mid-season for emergency closures. Real-time flow, water temperature, and stocking data are pulled from USGS, NOAA, and state agencies on a delay. The Outdoors App is not the regulating authority. Confirm current regulations with the state agency, check flow on the USGS gauge, and verify access if a section flows through private land. You are responsible for compliance.

Source:
Montana FWP / Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
Depth from:
State DNR survey

About

Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi by surface area, covering roughly 510 km² (197 sq mi) in northwest Montana. Maximum depth is 113 m (370.7 ft) per the Flathead Lake Biological Station. The lake is jointly managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) — the southern half lies within the Flathead Reservation and tribal permits apply for fishing and boating in those waters. The lake holds lake trout (Mackinaw), kokanee salmon, lake whitefish, westslope cutthroat trout, and bull trout (catch-and-release only).

Fish Species (5)

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Mountain Whitefish

Prosopium williamsoni

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing Access (2)

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