Fishing Lower Saint Mary Lake
AKA: Lower St Mary Lake
Popular Fish Species Lower Saint Mary Lake, MT
Brook Trout Fishing
Brook trout thrive in cool, clear, well-oxygenated water. Fishing for brook trout in Lower Saint Mary Lake is popular due to the abundance and size of these tasty brookies. Brookies are most actively feeding at dawn, and again at dusk. Brook trout feed on plankton, worms, leeches, insects, mollusks, and small baitfish. They spawn in the Fall, rather than the Spring, and they are quite prolific spawners. Other times they tend to move deeper and are more difficult to locate. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing for brook trout is a fun way to spend a winter day. Brook trout can be easily caught on minnows, flies, small spinners, worms, maggots and wax worms.
Lake Trout Fishing
Year round, fishing for lake trout in Lower Saint Mary Lake is often quite good and the fish are plentiful. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing for big lake trout with spoons can deliver some great catches. These large trout prefer water below 60 degrees, however they can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 30 feet in Spring and Fall, to as deep as 150 feet or more during Summer and Winter. It is a monumental assistance to use fish finders, or other electronics to help in locating these roaming schools of lake trout. They feed on baitfish and other small fish, 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.
Northern Pike Fishing
Plenty of northern pike are thriving in the cool waters of Lower Saint Mary Lake. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. They are extremely active when feeding and they can catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. Summer can be spotty but pike are caught all through the summer. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into September. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can also be a big help. Throughout the season, 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.
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, lake trout and northern pike at Lower Saint Mary Lake in Montana.
Lower Saint Mary Lake Fishing Video
Rugged beauty is a good definition of Lower Saint Mary Lake, It is a 2,170-acre lake in the northwest part of the state, 5 miles south of Babb. There are about 15 miles of shoreline, all pretty as a picture.
Lower Saint Mary Lake, located in Glacier National Park, Montana, is a pristine alpine lake that offers anglers a serene fishing experience amidst breathtaking natural beauty. This picturesque lake is fed by glacial waters and provides a habitat for a variety of fish species.
One of the popular fish species found in Lower Saint Mary Lake is the cutthroat trout. This lake is known for its healthy population of native Westslope cutthroat trout, offering anglers the opportunity to catch these beautiful fish. Anglers can target cutthroat trout using techniques such as fly fishing with dry flies or nymphs, as well as spin fishing with small lures or bait. The crystal-clear waters of the lake make it an ideal setting for sight fishing and presenting flies to these elusive trout.
Anglers visiting Lower Saint Mary Lake should be aware of fishing regulations within Glacier National Park and obtain the appropriate licenses. It's important to follow catch limits, size restrictions, and specific rules to ensure the conservation and preservation of the fish populations and the surrounding natural environment.
With its stunning mountain vistas, pristine waters, and the opportunity to catch native cutthroat trout, Lower Saint Mary Lake offers anglers a unique and memorable fishing experience in the heart of Glacier National Park. Whether it's fly fishing along the shoreline or exploring the nearby streams, this picturesque lake provides a serene and rewarding angling adventure amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Montana.
Despite the attention given to its natural beauty, the real draw here is great fishing. This cold, clear water is loaded with trout and northern pike. Visitors are welcomed by campgrounds, RV hookups, bait, restaurants, and a store at Chewing Black Bones Campground. The lake receives little fishing pressure creating good fishing for both quantity and quality.
Primary fish species residing in Lower Saint Mary Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Lower Saint Mary Lake Amenities
Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Lower Saint Mary Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off US Highway 89, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Fishing Guides On Lower Saint Mary Lake
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Fishing License
Click here for a Montana Fishing License.
Camping facilities are available near Lower Saint Mary Lake, allowing anglers to immerse themselves in the tranquil ambiance of Glacier National Park. Campgrounds provide amenities such as picnic areas, fire pits, and restrooms, making it convenient for anglers and their families to enjoy the beauty of the park while camping near the lake.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Leaning Tree Campground - 406 338-5322
Red Eagle Motel & RV Park - 406 732-4453
Johnson's Campground & RV Park - 406 732-4207
Chewing Black Bones Campground - 406 732-4046
Heart of Glacier RV Park & Cabins - 406 450-0035
Saint Mary Campground - 406 888-7800
St. Mary-East Glacier KOA Holiday - 406 732-4122
Lower Saint Mary Lake MT Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Lower Saint Mary Lake
Saint Mary Campground, Glacier National Park
Lp C Rd
Browning, MT 59417
406 888-7800
Fishing lakes in each state.
091424
Lower St Mary Lake in MT
MONTANA
Fishing for trout and northern pike in northwest MT.
