Montana is well-known for trout fishing and Missoula, with its three rivers, is an obvious choice for keen anglers.
However, there are plenty of gorgeous mountain lakes in the surrounding area, offering not just fishing but also swimming, kayaking, boating, and water skiing activities.
Many lakes have campgrounds and access to some of the finest hiking trails in the area. And in winter, visitors can ice fish, ski, and snowshoe here.
Learn more about the area and discover the lakes around Missoula!
Lakes near Missoula:
- Frenchtown Pond
- Harpers Lake
- Salmon Lake
- Placid Lake
- Seeley Lake
- Upsata Lake
- Lake Inez
- Lake Alva
- Twin Lakes
- Saint Marys Lake
- Mission Reservoir
- Ninepipe Reservoir
- Kicking Horse Reservoir
- Pablo Reservoir
- Flathead Lake
1. Frenchtown Pond
- Website: Frenchtown Pond
- Distance from Missoula: 18 miles (20 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Picnics, Ice Fishing
Located 18 miles northwest of downtown Missoula, Frenchtown Pond is a popular 18-acre fishing lake.
The focal point of Frenchtown Pond State Park, swimming, fishing, boating, paddling, and ice skating are activities at this pond.
The park opened in 1972 as a year-round site that offers outdoor recreation, including a “Hooked on Fishing” program to teach children the basics of fishing. Ice fishing is a common wintertime activity.
Known as a place where school and social groups come together, this day-use site has picnic areas, a playground, a pier, and more than a mile of trails.
Anglers who cast lines here will find perch, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and pumpkinseed.
2. Harpers Lake
- Website: Harpers Lake
- Distance from Missoula: 40 miles (45 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping, Ice Fishing
Located a little more than 37 miles northeast of the city and a short distance north of the well-known Clearwater Junction, Harpers Lake is the first of many lake destinations found along Highway 83.
This 91-mile road provides easy access to many glacial lakes. Harpers Lake and nearby Blanchard Lake are located less than four miles north of Clearwater Junction.
Harpers Lake is a natural 14-acre lake that is part of the 207.6-acre Harpers Lake Fishing Access Site. This destination offers year-round access, with boat launches and an ADA-accessible fishing platform.
Primitive camping sites are also available a short distance from the lake. Manual or electrically powered vessels may be used.
Less than 500 feet south of Harpers Lake, Blanchard Lake offers another convenient fishing destination for visitors.
Those who visit here will find native species, such as cutthroat trout and fathead minnow, as well as fish introduced to the region, such as rainbow trout and yellow perch.
Although access is permitted throughout the year, facilities are minimal, and no wintertime road maintenance is provided at this location.
3. Salmon Lake
- Website: Salmon Lake
- Distance from Missoula: 44 miles (45 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Sailing, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping, Wakeboarding, Waterskiing, Tubing
A little more than 42 miles northeast of Missoula and five miles north of Harpers Lake, the 631-acre Salmon Lake is one of the signature lakes located along Highway 83. It is part of the Clearwater River’s well-known and highly-regarded “Chain of Lakes.”
The Clearwater Resource Council includes local citizens who work to sustain, enhance, and protect the natural resources in the Clearwater Valley.
Picnicking, camping, fishing, and birdwatching are common activities for those who visit Salmon Lake.
The Salmon Lake section of the Clearwater River nestled between mountain ranges is now part of Salmon Lake State Park. This 42-acre park has a campground shaded by Douglas fir and ponderosa pine.
Popular activities at Salmon Lake include bird watching, boating, picnicking, nature photography, hiking, seasonal swimming, and fishing.
The campground is usually open from May through September, with the park closed to motorized traffic in November. During the winter through the end of April, the park is a day-use facility.
Salmon Lake is home to a wide variety of trout, bass, mountain whitefish, Kokanee salmon, pike, and perch.
Those who visit may also see a variety of waterfowl and migratory birds, depending on the time of the year.
4. Placid Lake
- Website: Placid Lake
- Distance from Missoula: 51 miles (55 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Sailing, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping, Wakeboarding, Waterskiing, Tubing
Placid Lake sits along a branch of the Clearwater River less than seven miles northwest of Salmon Lake.
Visitors will find a number of excellent picnicking, boating, seasonal swimming, and recreation facilities at Placid Lake State Park.
Although the park is relatively small at only 31 acres in size, it offers multiple campsites and a popular group-use area.
Once a site where logging took place, the area around Placid Lake is known as a great place to see wildlife.
The smooth lake waters and impressive forests surrounding this lake of approximately 1,300 acres create an appealing location to fish for trout.
The park and campground are generally open from May through November, with day-use walk-in access during the winter months, a time when the roads in the park may be closed.
5. Seeley Lake
- Website: Seeley Lake
- Distance from Missoula: 54 miles (1 hr)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Sailing, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping, Wakeboarding, Waterskiing, Tubing
Seeley Lake is a drive of a little more than 50 miles to the northeast of Missoula and seven miles beyond Placid Lake.
Also located along the Clearwater River, this lake honors the presence of Jasper B. Seeley, a pioneer who built a cabin in the area in 1881.
Much of Seeley’s adult life was involved in the timber business or in the management of forests. He had served as a forest reserve manager. A road finally reached this somewhat remote area near the lake in the 1890s.
Seeley Lake is a glacially formed body of water of 1,031 surface acres. One of the “Chain of Lakes” in the Clearwater Valley, it is a place that authorities stock with rainbow trout throughout much of the year.
In an area with very few settlements, Seeley Lake has a small community nearby and is a location where year-round recreation occurs, including snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Numerous campgrounds are near the lake. These include Big Larch Campground on the eastern shore, a location that is open throughout the year.
River Point Campground and Seeley Lake Campground offer popular seasonal camping alternatives.
Anglers who enjoy catching bass and trout frequent Seeley Lake. Among the fish found here are brown trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, largemouth bass, mountain whitefish, northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch.
6. Upsata Lake
- Website: Upsata Lake
- Distance from Missoula: 49 miles (55 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping
Located 49 miles northeast of Missoula, Upsata Lake is a less developed location that is situated in an area a short distance away beyond where Clearwater Junction meets Highway 200.
The state offers a fishing access site along this 91-acre lake, along with a boat launch and a small, primitive campground that has five sites.
Facilities are limited, and those traveling to this location should plan to bring their own drinking water and haul anything they bring out of the area.
Those who come to this remote location include seasoned anglers who are aware of Upsata Lake’s bountiful populations of largemouth bass, rainbow trout, yellow perch, and northern pike.
The roadway to this location is inaccessible during winter months, so most of the visitors to this location come during a window that spans between May and late October.
7. Lake Inez
- Website: Lake Inez
- Distance from Missoula: 60 miles (1hr 5min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Sailing, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping, Wakeboarding, Waterskiing, Tubing
Continuing five miles north-northwest from Seeley Lake along Highway 83, Lake Inez is the next notable body of water in the Clearwater Valley’s “Chain of Lakes.”
A drive of nearly 60 miles from Missoula, this 288-acre lake at nearly 4,200 feet above sea level offers year-round outdoor recreation in Lolo National Forest.
The Lake Inez campground is open all four seasons, though conditions here favor those who enjoy a more rugged or primitive experience, especially during the colder months, a time when RVs and other vehicles may find it difficult or impossible to navigate to this area.
In addition to the scenic beauty of the nearby forests and the hills and mountains visible in the distance, the main reason people visit this natural glacial lake is to enjoy fishing along the bank or from a boat.
The waters of the Clearwater River pass through Lake Inez, recharging its fish population. Common species found here that were introduced include brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, Kokanee salmon, pumpkinseed, northern pike, and yellow perch.
These fish join native species, such as bull trout, sucker, and mountain whitefish.
8. Lake Alva
- Website: Lake Alva
- Distance from Missoula: 64 miles (1hr 10min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Sailing, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping, Wakeboarding, Waterskiing, Tubing
Lake Alva, the next lake connected by the Clearwater River, is found less than one mile north of Lake Inez.
This 298-acre lake is slightly larger than its downriver sibling but offers similar recreational opportunities as part of this chain.
Those who enjoy camping may make reservations at Lakeside Campground during the summer season, a location that offers convenient access to both lakes for those who enjoy boating, fishing, and seasonal swimming.
Similar to those who visit Lake Inez, the majority of people who come to Lake Alva bring a rod and reel and, most likely, a camera to capture the many impressive views of this glacial lake retreat.
Whether fishing or hiking along the shoreline, the largest number of visitors come during the warmer summer months, since vehicular access to much of this area may be difficult or impossible when winter approaches.
Anglers visiting Lake Alva will find a rich variety of species. Trout are top catches, especially rainbow, bull, and brook trout.
Mountain whitefish, sucker, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch are also commonly found in this beautiful glacial lake.
9. Twin Lakes
- Website: Twin Lakes
- Distance from Missoula: 38 miles (50 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping
Located 38 miles north of Missoula, the Twin Lakes are a popular destination for those traveling along a stretch of Saint Marys Lake Road.
These small lakes have a campground between them, though services in the area are limited. Popular activities along the Twin Lakes include hiking, boating, fishing, and wintertime recreation.
The waterfront location of the campsites near these smaller lakes offers many photographic moments and memories to share.
Located near North Jocko Peak, Blacktail Peak, Weather Peak, and Gray Wolf Peak, these mountain elevations to the east and northeast of the Twin Lakes shield the area from bright morning sunlight, but also offer a cooler experience during summer mornings and add chill during the winter months.
Trout fishing is popular here.
10. Saint Marys Lake
- Website: Saint Marys Lake
- Distance from Missoula: 40 miles (55 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping
A short drive beyond the Twin Lakes on Saint Marys Lake Road brings visitors to Saint Marys Lake.
Not to be confused with the much larger Saint Mary Lake, located a drive of nearly 200 miles north in Glacier National Park, this smaller body of water shares a landscape similar to the Twin Lakes, with large mountain elevations providing shade well into the morning.
The distance between the campgrounds at Saint Marys Lake and the Twin Lakes is only 2.2 miles.
Those who make the nearly 40-mile drive north from Missoula to visit Saint Marys Lake will be rewarded with impressive views of a naturally preserved area.
If they bring their fishing poles, they may have a good chance of catching trout in this lake. Wintertime access may be limited due to snow and ice accumulations.
11. Mission Reservoir
- Website: Mission Reservoir
- Distance from Missoula: 46 miles (55 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping
A 46-mile drive north of Missoula past the Town of St Ignatius provides access to the Mission Reservoir.
This 274-acre body of water in Lake County includes impressive views of East Saint Marys Peak, West Saint Marys Peak, Kakashe Mountain, and other elevations in the Glacier Peaks.
The reservoir was created by impounding a section of Mission Creek, creating a lake that offers some of the most impressive scenery found in this area. Cutthroat trout often swim in these waters.
Located in an area where the Mission Mountains transition into the Mission Valley, this reservoir is known for the trails surrounding it and in the immediate area.
In addition to fishing, another popular activity in the region surrounding this reservoir is camping and paddling.
St. Ignatius, six miles to the west, is a popular stop. It is a settlement established in 1854, predating Montana’s statehood.
12. Ninepipe Reservoir
- Website: Ninepipe Reservoir
- Distance from Missoula: 50 miles (55 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Watching, Photography, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing
Ninepipe Reservoir is located 50 miles north of Missoula and approximately nine miles beyond St. Ignatius.
This 1,202-acre body of water is located within the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, a largely undeveloped preserve that includes upland grasses, small wetlands, and other natural features in an area that was the center of a glacial terminal moraine during the last Ice Age.
The reservoir is located within the Tribal Trust Lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, an area also known as the Flathead Indian Reservation.
A nesting location for birds, this site is also close to where the federal government created the National Bison Range. This initiative continues to preserve the bison and restore some of their natural habitat.
The reserve offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. Anglers will find pumpkinseed, rainbow trout, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and black bullhead in these waters.
13. Kicking Horse Reservoir
- Website: Kicking Horse Reservoir
- Distance from Missoula: 52 miles (60 min)
- Activities: Fishing
Located less than three miles northeast of Ninepipe, Kicking Horse Reservoir also sits within the Flathead Indian Reservation.
A dam was constructed along Dublin Gulch to create this 657-acre impoundment in 1930. Owned and managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, this lake offers both irrigation and recreation to those who live on the reservation.
A variety of species were introduced into Kicking Horse Reservoir for those who enjoy fishing.
Anglers will find pumpkinseed, rainbow trout, black bullhead, largemouth bass, and yellow perch.
14. Pablo Reservoir
- Website: Pablo Reservoir
- Distance from Missoula: 66 miles (1hr 10min)
- Activities: Fishing, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Watching, Photography, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing
Sixty-six miles north of Missoula and 15 miles beyond Kicking Horse, Pablo Reservoir sits within Pablo National Wildlife Refuge.
This area, shaped by Ice Age glaciers, offers wetlands interspersed throughout the rolling terrain of the Mission Valley area. A number of small kettle lakes are found on this site, sanctuaries where wildlife has gathered for millennia.
This reservoir spans between 1,650 and 1,800 surface acres, offering an important water source for the Flathead Irrigation Project under the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, striking a balance between irrigation and conservation is a high priority in this region.
Anglers who fish within Pablo Reservoir will find similar fish species as those introduced at Kicking Horse.
15. Flathead Lake
- Website: Flathead Lake
- Distance from Missoula: 70 miles (1hr 20min)
- Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Sailing, Picnics, Hiking, Biking, Camping, Wakeboarding, Waterskiing, Tubing
A 70-mile drive from Missoula to Polson offers an opportunity to visit Flathead Lake.
Carved by Ice Age glaciers, this body of water that spans more than 200 square miles is the largest natural freshwater lake in the lower 48 states west of the Mississippi.
Fifteen miles wide by 28 miles long, the southern end of the lake is within the Flathead Reservation.
The six units of Flathead Lake State Park offer boat launches and campsites. Wildhorse Island, a 2,165-acre island, preserves old-growth ponderosa pines and offers trails.
Fishing opportunities abound on Flathead Lake. Anglers fishing here hold the state record for a lake trout of 42.69 pounds caught in 2004, and a 10.46-pound lake whitefish caught in 2006. Fishing throughout the year is possible.
More Lakes in Montana:
