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10-acre lake in Missoula County, Montana. The lake tops out around 35 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Traced from the shoreline, Fly Lake (Missoula) runs 10 acres with 0.5 miles of edge. Nearly circular (index 1.1), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. 34% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. You'll find it in Missoula County. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Boulder Lake, 1 mi southwest of here.
Early season walleye use the shallows, holding in 4 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 15 to 35 ft, then a winter hold in 11 to 35 ft. Put Shoreline break first on the milk run — a drop-off near 28 ft that grades prime for fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | open water | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 11 to 35 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (34 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Spring puts northern pike in skinny water — 2 to 8 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 11 ft, rated prime for winter northern pike. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (11 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (11 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (11 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (11 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Spring yellow perch on Fly Lake (Missoula) hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. Put Shallow bay flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 11 ft that grades prime for spring. The feeding windows run early morning. The summer box starts with a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (11 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (34 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (34 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Spring puts smallmouth bass in skinny water — 3 to 12 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 10 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 11 to 35 ft. Shoreline break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 28 ft, rated prime for winter smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: rainbow trout in 5 to 20 ft. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 30 ft, wintering in 7 to 35 ft. Top water on the chart: Shoreline break, a drop-off in the 28 ft range, prime in winter. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (11 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 7 to 35 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Start shallow in spring: lake trout sit in 9 to 35 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 11 to 35 ft covers summer, 9 to 35 ft covers winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 34 ft range, prime in summer. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. Throw a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger until the fish tell you otherwise.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 9 to 35 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 11 to 35 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (34 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 7 to 35 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Shoreline break (28 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 9 to 35 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (34 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Fly Lake (Missoula) also holds crappie (10 to 25 ft in summer), channel catfish (8 to 25 ft in summer), cutthroat trout (10 to 35 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Count 3 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 34 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Montana waters are set by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks — and special regulations can apply to Fly Lake (Missoula) specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Montana fishing regulations →
Fly Lake (Missoula) is about 35 ft (11 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, lake trout, crappie, channel catfish, cutthroat trout on Fly Lake (Missoula). This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Shoreline break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 28 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Fly Lake (Missoula) is regulated by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Check the official Montana regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Boulder Lake 1 mi · Rattlesnake Lake #22 4 mi · Sheridan Lake 5 mi · Little Lake 6 mi · Big Lake 6 mi · Sanders Lake 6 mi · Glacier Lake 6 mi · McKinley Lake 7 mi · Farmers Lake #6 7 mi · Farmers Lake #5 7 mi · Lake Elsina 12 mi · St Marys Lake 13 mi
See how Fly Lake (Missoula) stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Montana · best walleye lakes in Montana · best northern pike lakes in Montana · best crappie lakes in Montana
More water nearby: Missoula County fishing maps (37 charts). Browse all Montana fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.