The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Big Lake
Stillwater County, Montana · about 2,250 acres (3.5 sq mi)
54°F water, calm this morning.
About Big Lake
In Stillwater County, Montana, Big Lake covers about 2,250 acres.
It stretches about 3.2 miles end to end with roughly 13.3 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 3,930 ft above sea level. The nearest town, Columbus, is about 18 miles southwest.
- Size
- About 2,250 acres (3.5 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 13.3 miles
- End to end
- About 3.2 miles
- Elevation
- About 3,930 ft
- County
- Stillwater County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 6 mph
- 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Sunday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 8 mph
- 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 9 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Lakes like Big Lake in Montana usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 54°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- FairCrappie
Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.
- SlowBluegill and sunfish
Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:13 am · sunset 4:46 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Big Lake
- Columbusabout 18 mi southwest
- Laurelabout 18 mi southeast
- Billingsabout 26 mi east
- Ryegateabout 29 mi north
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Questions about Big Lake
What fish are in Big Lake?
Lakes like Big Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Big Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Big Lake?
About 2,250 acres, with about 13.3 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Big Lake?
Columbus is about 18 miles southwest; Laurel is about 18 miles southeast.
What is the water temperature at Big Lake today?
The surface was about 54°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Big Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
