Ice fishing in Montana: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

1. Fort Peck Lake

At 245,000 acres, Fort Peck Lake is a huge piece of water. The fish here are walleye, northern pike, lake trout and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 220 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

2. Flathead Lake

At some 126,000 acres, Flathead Lake is a huge piece of water. The fish here are lake trout, yellow perch, northern pike and trout. At about 371 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Under the ice, lake trout: cool surface. They come shallower; try shore points.

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

3. Lake Koocanusa

Lake Koocanusa spreads over 46,500 acres. The lake is near Eureka. Libby Dam holds it on the Kootenai River. The fish here are trout, northern pike, yellow perch and kokanee salmon. It goes down to about 350 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake Koocanusa is a transboundary reservoir that stretches from Montana north into British Columbia, Canada. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

4. Canyon Ferry Lake

Canyon Ferry Lake is a reservoir of 33,500 acres of water. It lies near Townsend. Canyon Ferry Dam holds it on the Missouri River. The fish here are trout, walleye, northern pike and bluegill. At about 166 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. Canyon Ferry Lake, near Helena, is one of Montana's most popular fishing and boating destinations. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

5. Hungry Horse Reservoir

Hungry Horse Reservoir covers some 23,600 acres. You will find it about 8.1 miles northwest of Columbia Falls. Trout are the draw. At about 500 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Hungry Horse Reservoir is impounded by Hungry Horse Dam on the South Fork of the Flathead River. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

6. Tiber Reservoir

At some 21,300 acres, Tiber Reservoir is a big lake. You will find it about 13 miles northeast of Chester. Tiber Dam holds it on the Marias River. Northern pike, walleye and trout are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a steep ledge to work. Lake Elwell, commonly called Tiber Reservoir, was formed by damming the Marias River in north-central Montana. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

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

7. Hebgen Lake

At 12,600 acres of water, Hebgen Lake is a big lake. You will find it about 4.4 miles southeast of West Yellowstone. Hebgen Dam holds it on the Madison River. It holds trout. At about 70 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. Hebgen Lake, on the Madison River, is known for its wild, naturally-spawning trout population. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

8. Medicine Lake

Medicine Lake is a natural lake of 8,220 acres. You will find it about 20 miles north of Plentywood. It holds northern pike, bluegill and largemouth bass. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. Medicine Lake lies within Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Montana. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

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. It lies near Thompson Falls. It is the Clark Fork River behind Noxon Rapids Dam. It holds northern pike, walleye, yellow perch and trout. The deepest water is around 200 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

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

10. Clark Canyon Reservoir

Clark Canyon Reservoir spreads over some 5,900 acres. The lake is about 18 miles northeast of Dillon. The fish here are trout. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Clark Canyon Reservoir, south of Dillon, impounds the Beaverhead River and is known for quality rainbow and brown trout. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

What to bring

• Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
• A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
• A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
• A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
• Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie