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Fishing Shay Lake: what the data says
13-acre lake near Montana. The lake tops out around 30 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. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Lake Whitefish fishing at Shay Lake
Start shallow in spring: lake whitefish sit in 9 to 30 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 9 to 30 ft, and winter fish hold in 9 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 27 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 9 to 30 ft | midday & dawn | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 9 to 30 ft | dawn | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | midday & dawn | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Arctic Grayling fishing at Shay Lake
Spring arctic grayling on Shay Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 3 to 15 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 25 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 13 ft of water that rates prime for arctic grayling in fall. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A dry fly (parachute adams, elk hair caddis) or a small inline spinner covers the summer program.
| 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 | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Tungsten jig + waxworm, Small jigging spoon (gold) |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Shay Lake
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 13 ft that scores prime in winter. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. 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 | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 9 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 6 to 30 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 27 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 13 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 8 ft
Common questions
How deep is Shay Lake?
Shay Lake is about 30 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 Shay Lake?
Anglers target rainbow trout, lake whitefish, arctic grayling on Shay Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Shay Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 27 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Shay Lake?
For lake whitefish, 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.
Nearby waters
Van Lake · Fatty Lake · Fran Lake · Sunburst Lake · Palisade Lake · Swan Lake
See how Shay Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Montana · best lake whitefish lakes in Montana · best arctic grayling 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.