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10-acre lake in Missoula County, Montana. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
Drawn out, this is 10 acres of water rimmed by 0.6 miles of bank. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.4) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. Roughly 68% of the water is 15 ft or less, the band where the food chain lives. You'll find it in Missoula County. For a second option, Shay Lake lies 9 mi north.
Spring yellow perch on Fran Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 6 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 20 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 19 ft that grades prime for fall. The feeding windows run early morning. The summer box starts with a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm.
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 | midday & dawn | open water | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (19 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (19 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (19 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Early season cutthroat trout use the shallows, holding in 3 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 6 to 20 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 20 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 17 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner 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 | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (17 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 4 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 5 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (17 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: rainbow trout in 5 to 20 ft. The depth story barely changes: 5 to 20 ft through summer, 4 to 20 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 17 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 | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (17 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (17 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Fran Lake carries 3 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 19 ft down.
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 Fran Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Montana fishing regulations →
Fran Lake is about 20 ft (6 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 yellow perch, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout on Fran Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 19 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For yellow perch, the summer bite is best in 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 Fran Lake 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.
Shay Lake 9 mi · Van Lake 9 mi · Rubble Lake 11 mi · Fatty Lake 11 mi · Woodward Lake 12 mi · Holland Lake 12 mi · Palisade Lake 13 mi · Necklace Lakes 13 mi · Lindbergh Lake 13 mi · Mcdonald Lake 14 mi · Sunburst Lake 14 mi · Pierce Lake 14 mi
See how Fran Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Montana · best yellow perch lakes in Montana · best cutthroat trout 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.