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Fishing Handkerchief Lake: what the data says
44-acre lake near Montana. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The depth chart is built from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the humps, channels and drop-offs you see are measured, not guessed. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Arctic Grayling fishing at Handkerchief Lake
In spring, arctic grayling run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 3 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 20 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 20 ft, rated prime for winter arctic grayling. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a dry fly (parachute adams, elk hair caddis) or a small inline spinner and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dusk | 1/16 oz spinner (silver), Small dry fly (Adams, Griffith's) |
| Summer | 3 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Dry fly (parachute Adams, elk hair caddis), Small inline spinner |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | midday | Small spoon, Beadhead nymph under indicator |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday & dawn | Tungsten jig + waxworm, Small jigging spoon (gold) |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Handkerchief Lake
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 5 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 20 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Cutthroat Trout fishing at Handkerchief Lake
Spring cutthroat trout on Handkerchief Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 15 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 6 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for cutthroat trout in summer. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a trolled spoon (small) or a inline spinner gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 4 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 5 to 20 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 20 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 8 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 5 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 3 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 2 ft
Common questions
How deep is Handkerchief Lake?
Handkerchief Lake is about 20 ft at its deepest point. The depth chart here comes from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the contours reflect measured depths.
What fish are in Handkerchief Lake?
Anglers target rainbow trout, arctic grayling, cutthroat trout on Handkerchief Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Handkerchief Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for arctic grayling in winter. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Handkerchief Lake?
For arctic grayling, 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.
Nearby waters
Pilgrim Lake · Big Hawk Lake · Margaret Lake (Flathead) · Cliff Lake (Flathead) · Birch Lake · North Biglow Lake
See how Handkerchief Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Montana · best arctic grayling lakes in Montana · best cutthroat trout lakes in Montana
Browse all Montana fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.