Best trout lakes in the West: 12 lakes to fish
The best trout lakes in the West: Fort Peck Lake, Flathead Lake and Lake Tahoe and more, with where to start and how the fish move through the year.
From stocked rainbows to deep-water lake trout, these lakes in the West carry the cold water trout need. Here are 12 lakes where trout are on record, with where to start on each.
The lakes
| Lake | State | Also holds |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Peck Lake | Montana | walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass |
| Flathead Lake | Montana | yellow perch, northern pike |
| Lake Tahoe | California | smallmouth bass |
| Lake Pend Oreille | Idaho | northern pike |
| Flaming Gorge Reservoir | Wyoming | smallmouth bass |
| Coeur d'Alene Lake | Idaho | largemouth bass, northern pike |
| Shasta Lake | California | spotted bass, smallmouth bass |
| Bear Lake | Utah | |
| Lake Berryessa | California | largemouth bass, smallmouth bass |
| Lake Chelan | Washington | smallmouth bass |
| Lake Mohave | Nevada | striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass |
| Blue Mesa Reservoir | Colorado | yellow perch |
1. Fort Peck Lake, Montana
Fort Peck Lake covers 245,000 acres of water. Expect lake trout, walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass. At about 220 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.
Fort Peck Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
2. Flathead Lake, Montana
At 126,000 acres of water, Flathead Lake is a huge piece of water. Lake trout, trout, yellow perch and northern pike are the draw. It goes down to about 371 ft.
Flathead Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
3. Lake Tahoe, California
At some 122,000 acres, Lake Tahoe is a huge piece of water. The fish here are lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 1645 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work.
Lake Tahoe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
4. Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho
At some 93,900 acres, Lake Pend Oreille is a huge piece of water. It holds trout, lake trout, kokanee salmon and northern pike. The deepest water is around 1152 ft.
Lake Pend Oreille today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
5. Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming
At 42,000 acres, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a big lake. Expect lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. At about 436 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
6. Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho
Coeur d'Alene Lake spreads over some 31,900 acres. Kokanee salmon, trout, largemouth bass and northern pike are the draw. At about 194 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.
Coeur d'Alene Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
7. Shasta Lake, California
At 30,000 acres, Shasta Lake is a big lake. It holds trout, kokanee salmon, spotted bass and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 517 ft.
Shasta Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
8. Bear Lake, Utah
Bear Lake spreads over 69,800 acres. Expect trout and lake trout. The deepest water is around 208 ft. Its bed shows three steep ledges and an upper arm worth a first look.
Bear Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
9. Lake Berryessa, California
At 20,700 acres, Lake Berryessa is a big lake. It holds trout, kokanee salmon, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 275 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.
Lake Berryessa today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
10. Lake Chelan, Washington
Lake Chelan spreads over 33,300 acres. It holds lake trout, kokanee salmon, trout and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 1486 ft.
Lake Chelan today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
11. Lake Mohave, Nevada
Lake Mohave covers 26,500 acres of water. Trout, striped bass, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the draw. Its bed shows four steep ledges and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.
Lake Mohave today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
12. Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado
Blue Mesa Reservoir spreads over 9,180 acres of water. Kokanee salmon, lake trout, trout and yellow perch are the draw. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.
Blue Mesa Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
Trout through the year in the West
Use these as a starting point and let the water temperature decide: the lake pages show it every morning.
- Spring: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
- Summer: Too warm up top. Fish deep and cool, or near cold inflows.
- Fall: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
- Winter: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
Questions
What is the best trout lake in the West?
Fort Peck Lake in Montana is our first pick; Flathead Lake and Lake Tahoe are close behind.
When is the best time to fish for trout?
Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines. Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
Your lake every morning
Water temperature, level, wind and bite times on your phone.
