Fort Peck Lake
Montana's largest lake, a vast walleye and pike fishery on the Missouri River.
Depth & Structure
Montana's largest lake, vast Missouri River reservoir; spring walleye in shallow bays 8-15 feet and 10-25 feet on points/drop-offs, summer walleye 15-30 feet and reports at 25-40 feet, lake trout far deeper at 70-140 feet
Best Lures
Jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics and paddle-tail swimbaits worked slow on bottom, bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses, trolling deep-diving crankbaits at about 2.1 mph for walleye/pike, large jigs with paddle tails 8-15 feet off bottom for lake trout
Best Baits
Live minnows and nightcrawlers are core baits - jig and crawler, bottom bouncer with half crawler, and live-bait rigs with fathead minnows dragged on contour
Gear to Bring
Medium-light spinning 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft with 10-12 lb fluorocarbon class for spring jigging, heavier trolling gear for deep crankbaits, electronics to locate baitfish schools, boat essential
Local Tips
['Stay mobile - cover water until active fish are found, then slow down and work area thoroughly; wind-blown points and mud-to-rock transitions concentrate baitfish', 'Post-spawn females are tight to bottom on points outside spawning bays at 10-15 feet in…
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Related Water
Fish photos: walleye — Wikimedia Commons · northern pike — Wikimedia Commons · Chinook salmon — Wikimedia Commons · smallmouth bass — Wikimedia Commons
Fishing regulations, seasons and limits change — always check the current rules for this water before you fish. Spot pins are approximate area markers, not launch or access coordinates.