Henrys Lake Montana Fishing

Henrys Lake, located a close 15 miles west of Yellowstone National Park, yields excellent trout fishing in its open waters as well as in its surrounding streams.

When planning their fishing vacations, many people stick to streams or rivers and overlook the potential that lake fishing has to offer. Fishing season on Henry's lake opens the Thursday before Memorial Day and usually closes around October 31, depending on the weather. If you are planning to fish after September 15, it is advised to call ahead to see which services are available.

Henrys Lake is surrounded by eight 10,000 foot mountains and the Targhee National Forest. It was named after the explorer Major Andrew Henry. The cutthroat trout found in the lake average 3-5 pounds while the cutthroat-rainbow hybrids can weigh up to 12 pounds. The brook trout weigh in at about 3 pounds. Any angler will be challenged on Henrys Lake.

Marv Taylor, an experienced angler of the are, finds that the first three to four weeks of the season is trolling time and large crowds abound. The best trolling areas he has found are the green roof hole which is near the mouth of Targhee Creek, and the center lake glory hole. The most effective lures include Flatfish, Panther Martins, pop gear, and Rapalas.

Fish are in different parts of the lake at different parts of the year so keep this in mind when you are planning your trip. When the waters are cooler earlier in the season, the fish will be scattered. They will be difficult to find out in the large ponds. In July the the weed beds have grown enough to make for excellent fly fishing on the lake. Marv Taylor suggests that the best fly patterns are chironomids, caddis pupas, scuds, damsel nymphs, and leeches. The best months to fish are during September and October. The locals refer to October as the "casting and blasting" season.

Because the fish are large, the weeds are thick, and the wind is usually strong, it is advised to bring a heavy rod and sturdy gear. Sinking lines are necessary as well as a reel with a good drag. It is impossible to fish from shore so you must bring a boat. There is a boat ramp and docks available in the park. Float-tubes are popular although many anglers prefer to fish from a boat when fishing on Henrys Lake. Another piece of equipment you won't want to leave behind is some sort of fish finder as the fish tend to move around a lot.

If you plan to camp, the park provides 45 campsites. Over half of these sites have water and electricity. Only 27 sites are reservable and the rest are first come first serve. There are also camper cabins available for rent if you forget your tent.