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23,800-acre reservoir near Hungry Horse. A 34-mile wilderness reservoir on the South Fork Flathead. Pure westslope cutthroat water ringed by the Bob Marshall front. The lake tops out around 500 ft. The depth picture is modeled, anchored to the true shoreline and the water's published max depth — a scouting aid, never a chart to run a boat by. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
On the chart, Hungry Horse Reservoir draws 23,131 acres inside 130 miles of shoreline, with 14 islands in the mix. The 6.1 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. About 22% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 30.4 mi of water from one end to the other, 6.6 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Flathead County. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Handkerchief Lake, 3 mi southwest of here.
Come spring, look for cutthroat trout tight to the bank in 3 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 35 ft, then a winter hold in 10 to 40 ft. Start at Sullivan Creek inflow. It's an inflow / creek mouth holding about 8 ft of water and rates prime come spring. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Sullivan Creek inflow (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Rock reef (9 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Rock reef (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Rock reef (9 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Early season lake whitefish use the shallows, holding in 15 to 45 ft. Summer is a 40 to 90 ft game here, winter a 25 to 70 ft one. The chart's best answer is Rock reef — rock pile, 9 ft, prime for fall. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Rock reef (9 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Offshore hump (53 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Rock reef (9 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Offshore hump (53 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Count 16 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 425 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 Hungry Horse Reservoir specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Montana fishing regulations →
Hungry Horse Reservoir is about 500 ft (152 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target cutthroat trout, lake whitefish on Hungry Horse Reservoir.
Sullivan Creek inflow is the top-rated area: an inflow / creek mouth in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for cutthroat trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For cutthroat trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Hungry Horse Reservoir 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.
Handkerchief Lake 3 mi · Cliff Lake (Flathead) 4 mi · Black Lake 6 mi · Pilgrim Lake 6 mi · Birch Lake 6 mi · Big Hawk Lake 6 mi · Margaret Lake (Flathead) 6 mi · Wildcat Lake 7 mi · Dickey Lake (Flathead) 8 mi · Marion Lake 8 mi · Strawberry Lake 8 mi · North Biglow Lake 9 mi
See how Hungry Horse Reservoir stacks up: best lake whitefish lakes in Montana · best cutthroat trout lakes in Montana
More water nearby: Flathead County fishing maps (55 charts). Browse all Montana fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. 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.