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Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
10-acre lake in Madison County, Montana. The lake tops out around 21 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
Traced from the shoreline, Lower Branham Lake runs 10 acres with 0.5 miles of edge. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.1) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 65% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. The water lies in Madison County. The nearest mapped water is Upper Branham Lake, 0 mi to the northeast.
Early season walleye use the shallows, holding in 4 to 15 ft. Summer is a 6 to 21 ft game here, winter a 6 to 21 ft one. The chart's best answer is Shoreline break — drop-off, 16 ft, prime for fall. Best bite is 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 | Shoreline break (16 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Spring puts northern pike in skinny water — 2 to 8 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 20 ft, wintering in 5 to 15 ft. Spring northern pike concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 2 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. 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 (2 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Spring yellow perch on Lower Branham Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 21 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 21 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 20 ft, prime for fall. Prime time lands in 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 | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (20 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Spring puts smallmouth bass in skinny water — 3 to 12 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 6 to 21 ft, wintering in 6 to 21 ft. Winter smallmouth bass concentrate at Shoreline break, a prime-rated drop-off around 16 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. 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 | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: rainbow trout in 5 to 20 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 6 to 21 ft before dropping to 4 to 21 ft for winter. The spot to know is Shoreline break, a drop-off in about 16 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. 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 | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Spring puts crappie in skinny water — 2 to 8 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 6 to 21 ft, wintering in 6 to 21 ft. Winter crappie concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 20 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) 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 | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | 1/16 oz jig + tube, Curly-tail grub |
| Summer | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Jig trolled/spider-rigged, Small crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 20 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (16 ft) | Jig + minnow combo, Small swimbait (1.5-2") |
| Winter | 6 to 21 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (20 ft) | Tungsten jig + soft plastic, Tiny jigging spoon |
Lower Branham Lake also holds channel catfish (6 to 21 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 20 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 Lower Branham Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Montana fishing regulations →
Lower Branham Lake is about 21 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 walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, channel catfish on Lower Branham Lake. 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 16 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every 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 Lower Branham 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.
Upper Branham Lake 0 mi · Noble Lake 5 mi · Beaverhead River 33 mi · Madison River 36 mi · Gallatin River 36 mi · Brownes Lake 40 mi · Lake Agnes 41 mi · Rainbow Lake (Beaverhead) 43 mi · Deerhead Lake 45 mi · Tendoy Lake 47 mi · Minneopa Lake 48 mi · Kelly Reservioir 48 mi
See how Lower Branham Lake 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: Madison County fishing maps (6 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.