Fishing Fort Peck Lake

AKA: Fort Peck Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Fort Peck Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
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Fort Peck Lake, MT

Popular Fish Species Fort Peck Lake, MT

Walleye Fishing

If you want to catch big walleye, Fort Peck Lake is a great option. Thanks to good fisheries management, a healthy population of walleye are now thriving in Fort Peck Lake this year. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for these big walleye can be very productive and exciting. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during warm-water conditions.

Lake Trout Fishing

Year round, fishing for lake trout in Fort Peck Lake is often quite good and the fish are plentiful. These large trout can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 20 feet to as deep as 120 feet or more, and anywhere in between. Good electronics are a big help in locating lake trout. They feed on baitfish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with numerous set-ups can also produce good catches. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing for big lake trout with spoons can deliver some great catches.

Northern Pike Fishing

Thriving in the cool waters of Fort Peck Lake, northern pike are a very popular target for local anglers. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes as well. The best time to fish for northern pike typically runs from April or May throughout the summer, Fall can be good as well sometimes stretching into as late as October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake freezes over, try ice fishing for northerns.

Fort Peck Lake Lake Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, green sunfish, yellow perch, chinook salmon, northern pike, paddlefish, sauger and sturgeon at Fort Peck Lake in Montana.

Famous for trophy pike, lake trout and walleye, Fort Peck Lake covers over 245,000 acres and provides excellent fishing year round. The lake, with 1,500 miles of shoreline, supports healthy populations of bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, trout, sunfish, perch, salmon, paddlefish, sauger and pike. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake. Fort Peck Lake, located in northeastern Montana, is one of the state's largest reservoirs and a renowned fishing destination. Ice fishing in winter can be spectacular, due to relatively light fishing pressure.

Primary fish species residing in Fort Peck Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Fort Peck Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Marinas

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