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69-acre lake in Flathead County, Montana. The lake tops out around 25 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
The drawn water covers 83 acres wrapped in 1.6 miles of bank. A shoreline index of 1.2 says round and simple: fish relate to depth changes here, not shoreline features. About 60% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 0.5 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.4 mi at the beam. It sits in Flathead County. If the bite dies, Chain Lake 3 is 6 mi to the north.
Start shallow in spring: cutthroat trout sit in 3 to 15 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 7 to 25 ft; cold water stacks them in 6 to 25 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 20 ft range, prime in summer. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner until the fish tell you otherwise.
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 (10 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 7 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (20 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 6 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (20 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Spring bull trout on Upper Whitefish Lake hold shallow, usually 6 to 25 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 8 to 25 ft in summer, 7 to 25 ft once it turns cold. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 25 ft, prime for summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a trolled plug on downrigger or a heavy jigging spoon.
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 | 6 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (20 ft) | Large jointed plug, 6" swimbait (kokanee/trout pattern) |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 90 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (25 ft) | Trolled plug on downrigger, Heavy jigging spoon |
| Fall | 4 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Large glide bait, Jointed plug |
| Winter | 7 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 70 ft | dawn | Break off the point (20 ft) | Heavy spoon (slow lift), Large soft swimbait |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 25 ft.
Access data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) — community-mapped launches. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
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 Upper Whitefish Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Montana fishing regulations →
Upper Whitefish Lake is about 25 ft (8 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 cutthroat trout, bull trout on Upper Whitefish Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for cutthroat trout in summer. The interactive chart above rates every 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 Upper Whitefish 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.
Chain Lake 3 6 mi · Fish Lake (Lincoln) 7 mi · Big Fire Lake 8 mi · Blue Lake (Flathead) 9 mi · Moose Lake 9 mi · Upper Martin Lake 10 mi · Dickey Lake (Lincoln) 11 mi · Lower Stillwater Lake 11 mi · Martin Lake (Lincoln) 12 mi · Murphy Lake 13 mi · Tepee Lake 17 mi · Woods Lake 18 mi
See how Upper Whitefish Lake stacks up: best cutthroat trout lakes in Montana
More water nearby: Flathead County fishing maps (55 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.