Biggest lakes in Montana: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Fort Peck Lake

Fort Peck Lake spreads over 245,000 acres of water. It holds walleye, northern pike, lake trout and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 220 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Fort Peck Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake spreads over some 126,000 acres. Expect lake trout, yellow perch, northern pike and trout. At about 371 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.

Flathead Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Koocanusa

Lake Koocanusa covers 46,500 acres. The lake is about 5.2 miles southeast of Eureka. Libby Dam holds it on the Kootenai River. It holds trout, kokanee salmon, largemouth bass and northern pike. The deepest water is around 350 ft. Lake Koocanusa is a transboundary reservoir that stretches from Montana north into British Columbia, Canada.

Lake Koocanusa today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Canyon Ferry Lake

At 33,500 acres, Canyon Ferry Lake is a big lake. The lake is about 3.5 miles south of Townsend. Trout, walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass are the draw. It goes down to about 166 ft. Its bed shows three steep ledges and an upper arm worth a first look.

Canyon Ferry Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Hungry Horse Reservoir

At some 23,600 acres, Hungry Horse Reservoir is a big lake. You will find it near Columbia Falls. It is the South Fork Flathead River behind Hungry Horse Dam. It holds trout. At about 500 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Hungry Horse Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Tiber Reservoir

Tiber Reservoir covers 21,300 acres of water. It lies about 13 miles northeast of Chester. It holds northern pike, walleye and trout. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a steep ledge worth a first look. Lake Elwell, commonly called Tiber Reservoir, was formed by damming the Marias River in north-central Montana.

Tiber Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Hebgen Lake

Hebgen Lake covers 12,600 acres. It lies near West Yellowstone. It is the Madison River behind Hebgen Dam. The fish here are trout. The deepest water is around 70 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start.

Hebgen Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Medicine Lake

Medicine Lake spreads over some 8,220 acres. The lake is near Plentywood. Expect northern pike, largemouth bass and bluegill. Its bed shows three steep ledges and an upper arm worth a first look. Medicine Lake lies within Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Montana.

Medicine Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Noxon Reservoir

Noxon Reservoir spreads over 7,940 acres of water. You will find it about 70 miles west of Spokane Valley. It is the Clark Fork River behind Noxon Rapids Dam. Expect largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. The deepest water is around 200 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Noxon Reservoir on the Clark Fork River is a top smallmouth and largemouth bass fishery in Montana.

Noxon Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake McDonald

Lake McDonald covers 6,820 acres of water. It lies near Columbia Falls. Like most lakes its size in Montana, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The deepest water is around 472 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park and the deepest lake in the park.

Lake McDonald today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.