Last stocked
September 20, 2024
Plants on record
26
Since 2017
Species recorded
2
Average size
2 in
Elevation
3,844 ft
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Hungry Horse
- Float tube friendly
- Yes
- Facilities
- camping, restrooms
Small (about 51-acre) lake in the South Fork Flathead drainage, Flathead National Forest, reached by a short hike from Hungry Horse Reservoir Road #895. Float tubes are the only recommended watercraft. Three walk-in campsites with picnic tables and a vault toilet; 14-day stay limit.
Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes , watch_outs
How Handkerchief Lake is stocked
The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of July. In 2024 it was June 6, 2024, earlier than usual.
No plants recorded in 2023.
Blue Lake (7.8 mi) was stocked more recently. Blue Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout.
Fish at Handkerchief Lake
Fishing Handkerchief Lake is most likely to be for Arctic Grayling. Arctic Grayling accounts for 15 of 26 plants on record, ahead of Cutthroat Trout.
Around the dates Handkerchief Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 65.4°F in August, 66.9°F in July, 57.2°F in June, 56.2°F in September. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Arctic Grayling 15 plants
- Plants
- 15 of 26
- Last stocked
- September 20, 2024
- Average length
- 2.1 in
Cutthroat Trout 11 plants
- Plants
- 11 of 26
- Last stocked
- August 31, 2021
- Average length
- 1.8 in
Fishing Handkerchief Lake
Handkerchief Lake presents a good fishing opportunity for anglers. The recreation opportunities for this site specifically include Fishing - Lake & Pond. When considering watercraft, float tubes are the only recommended option due to a short hike required from the road to the lake.
Sources: fs.usda.gov
What to watch for
Anglers planning to fish at Handkerchief Lake should be aware that float tubes are the only recommended watercraft. This is due to a short hike required from the road to the lake. Furthermore, visitors to the site should note that potable water is not available.
Fish stocked per year
- 10,0142017
- 1,4502018
- 13,5522019
- 7,4962020
- 6,6002021
- 13,2222022
- 77,8002024
Stocking history
Showing 15 of 26 plants Showing 26 plants
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 20, 2024 | Arctic Grayling | 3,800 | 1.97 in | report |
| June 20, 2024 | Arctic Grayling | 50,000 | 0.85 in | report |
| June 6, 2024 | Arctic Grayling | 24,000 | 0.85 in | report |
| September 27, 2022 | Arctic Grayling | 6,245 | 1.9 in | report |
| September 27, 2022 | Arctic Grayling | 560 | 2.28 in | report |
| July 28, 2022 | Arctic Grayling | 6,417 | 1.55 in | report |
| August 31, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,400 | 1.51 in | report |
| June 13, 2021 | Arctic Grayling | 1,200 | 1 in | report |
| August 11, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1 in | report |
| July 19, 2020 | Arctic Grayling | 2,400 | 1.25 in | report |
| May 15, 2020 | Arctic Grayling | 96 | 8 in | report |
| October 15, 2019 | Arctic Grayling | 152 | 3.22 in | report |
| October 15, 2019 | Arctic Grayling | 228 | 3.22 in | report |
| August 19, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,888 | 1.18 in | report |
| August 19, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 644 | 1.02 in | report |
| August 19, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,468 | 1.08 in | report |
| August 19, 2019 | Arctic Grayling | 1,020 | 2.01 in | report |
| August 19, 2019 | Arctic Grayling | 1,530 | 1.99 in | report |
| July 6, 2019 | Arctic Grayling | 2,400 | 1 in | report |
| July 6, 2019 | Arctic Grayling | 3,222 | 1 in | report |
| August 23, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,450 | 2 in | report |
| August 10, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,093 | 2 in | report |
| August 10, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,907 | 2 in | report |
| August 2, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 6.5 in | report |
| July 29, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 614 | 1 in | report |
| July 29, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,400 | 1 in | report |
Show 11 more plants Show less
Species stocked here
Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.