Quake Lake Fly Fishing Guide
Regarding fly fishing in Montana, one lake that should be high on your list is Quake Lake in Southwest Montana. Nestled in between the Madison and Centennial mountain ranges, just an hour and a half from Bozeman, this remarkable body of water offers world-class fly fishing opportunities throughout the summer season. Fed by the legendary Madison River, brown and rainbow trout thrive in the lakes pristine, mountain waters.
On August 17, 1959, a massive earthquake struck the Madison River Canyon, causing a landslide that blocked the river and essentially created this lake overnight. Within a few days, the newly formed Quake Lake had grown to over 6 miles long and 125 feet deep, submerging the old town of Hebgen beneath its waters. Today, Quake Lake sits at an elevation of 6,329 feet and covers an area of over 12 square miles.
World-Class Fly Fishing on Quake Lake
Quake Lake is home to an abundance of wild trout. Rainbow and brown trout thrive in the lake's cool, nutrient-rich waters. These fish average 14-18 inches, with the occasional trophy topping 20 inches.
Huge brown trout do live in the lake and occasionally come into shallow waters during the spring and fall. The lure of hooking into one of these rare specimens has enraptured many anglers over the years. Quiet summer nights on the lake are accompanied by the glow from intermittent headlamps lighting the way through flooded timbers for ambitious anglers hoping to hook into one of the true giants that spend their lives well out of reach of the fly angler.
The truly dedicated Quake Lake angler spends the nighttime fishing mice or streamer patterns while floating the lake’s edges in the darkness. There’s nothing quite like fly fishing in Montana on Quake Lake during a moonless summer night.
Diverse Fly Fishing Opportunities
Quake Lake offers a diverse fly fishing experience for anglers fishing in southwest Montana. Although the trophy brown trout attracts some eccentric personalities, skilled anglers can find quality rainbow and brown trout throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Fed by the waters of the Madison River flowing outing of Hebgen Dam, the inlet arm of Quake Lake fills with rainbow trout during the springtime. However, most of Quake Lake is covered by ice well into late April or May. Upstream tributaries, including Cabin and Beaver creeks, usually erupt with runoff in early May, making Quake Lake dirty and unfishable for a few weeks. Fishing the Madison between Hebgen Dam and Quake Lake is the focus for anglers fishing near Quake Lake until early June.
Dirty water moves through the system quickly, and the best part of the year for Quake Lake fly fishing commences in June. Streamer fly fishing the inlet arm and bank edges is productive when the lake is full and the water temperatures are cold.
Summertime fly fishing is focused on rising trout during mayfly hatches throughout the inlet side of the lake. Trout cruise throughout the partially submerged forest edges and along the banks for hatching insects. Dry dropper setups are preferred throughout the early summer until “gulper season” gets going in late July.
Brown trout begin to move from the lake to the Madison River, below Hebgen dam in early September. The river fills with spawning brown trout in later October and November. Streamer fly fishing the inlet arm, upstream of the mouth of Beaver Creek, from a boat is a great way to target some of the more active, pre-spawn brown trout and avoid crowds.
Quake Lake Fly Fishing Highlights
Salmonflies show up in late June or early July, creating the lake's first meaningful dry fly fishing opportunity of the year. Although most of this particular insect activity occurs on the Madison River sections above the lake, plenty of naturals find their way to the lake, and trout actively cruise the shallow edges in pursuit of egg-laying adults.
Callibaetis and Trico mayfly hatches become reliable from late June through August, attracting anglers to Quake Lake for morning sessions of “gulper fishing.” Clouds of spinners slowly fall to the water surface by mid-morning, creating a few hours of exceptional dry fly fishing until the wind picks up – most days – around noon. The slow slurp of rising trout can be heard across the lake on still summer mornings. Fishing out of a boat or float tube is recommended for optimal success.
Every angling enthusiast that attends Montana State University will eventually hear the “urban legends” of 30+ inch Quake Lake brown trout. Although they are caught on occasion, the real fun is in the adventure of trying to tackle these amazing fish in the most difficult of fly-fishing scenarios. Nighttime fishing in the middle of standing trees creates myriad challenges from casting to trying to land fish. Still, the starry night skies of Quake Lake and the adrenaline rush alone is a Montana fly fishing experience that stays with one forever.
It's Worth A Trip
A side trip to Quake Lake is an awesome way to add variety to a Montana fly fishing adventure near Bozeman, Mt. There is ample access along HWY 287, but expect steep banks and tight quarters for casting. Wading anglers will find access to the inlet areas through Beaver Creek Campground or downstream of Campfire Lodge along the Madison River. The fishing here favors the floating angler during the summer season.