Last stocked
August 5, 2025
Plants on record
3
Since 2013
Species recorded
1
Average size
2.6 in
Elevation
9,220.4 ft
Access and facts
- Water type
- high alpine
- Nearest town
- Red Lodge
- Facilities
- camping
Hike-in only, via the Lake Fork trailhead about 11.5 miles south of Red Lodge off the Beartooth Scenic Byway; about 9 miles up the Lake Fork of Rock Creek drainage, ending in a boulder scramble. One campsite at the lake; no campfires.
Sources: water_type , shore_notes , facilities , nearest_town , watch_outs , watch_outs , angler_notes
How Black Canyon Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 10 years between 2013 and 2025.
Greenough Lake (5.8 mi) and Wild Bill Lake (10 mi) were stocked more recently.
Fish at Black Canyon Lake
Fishing Black Canyon Lake is most likely to be for Cutthroat Trout. All 3 plants on record are Cutthroat Trout.
Around the dates Black Canyon Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 53.6°F in July, 51.9°F in August. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Cutthroat Trout 3 plants
- Plants
- 3 of 3
- Last stocked
- August 5, 2025
- Average length
- 2.6 in
What to watch for
Access to Black Canyon Lake requires a 7.5 mile (one way) hike that involves climbing steeply on an unmaintained trail up to the cirque. This beautiful place requires a rugged approach through a boulder field.
What anglers say
According to J 'Flip' S on SummitPost, 'Black Canyon Id recognize that lake anywhere. Awesome fishing'.
Fish stocked per year
- 8,0002013
- 7,4002019
- 8,2402025
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 5, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,240 | 2.34 in | report |
| July 29, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,400 | 2.72 in | report |
| July 29, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 2.8 in | report |
Species stocked here
Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.