Arctic Grayling Stocked · 15 plants · last September 20, 2024 Last stocked September 20, 2024 · avg 2.1 in · 15 plants
Arctic Grayling species guideHandkerchief Lake fishing
Handkerchief Lake fishing has Cutthroat Trout and Arctic Grayling on the stocking report. It is stocked about 3.3 times a year since 2017, most often in July and August.
- Last stocked
- September 20, 2024
- · Arctic Grayling
- Plants on record
- 26
- Since 2017
- Species recorded
- 2
- Average size
- 2 in
- Elevation
- 3,844 ft
Fish at Handkerchief Lake
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 Stocked · 15 plants · last September 20, 2024 
Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 11 plants · last August 31, 2021 Last stocked August 31, 2021 · avg 1.8 in · 11 plants
Cutthroat Trout species guideHow Handkerchief Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 2023.
Fish stocked in 2017
10,014
Fish stocked in 2018
1,450
Fish stocked in 2019
13,552
Fish stocked in 2020
7,496
Fish stocked in 2021
6,600
Fish stocked in 2022
13,222
Fish stocked in 2024
77,800
Stocking history
| 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 | 2,468 | 1.08 in | report |
| August 19, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 644 | 1.02 in | report |
| August 19, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,888 | 1.18 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 | 3,222 | 1 in | report |
| July 6, 2019 | Arctic Grayling | 2,400 | 1 in | report |
| August 23, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,450 | 2 in | report |
| August 10, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,907 | 2 in | report |
| August 10, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,093 | 2 in | report |
| August 2, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 6.5 in | report |
| July 29, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,400 | 1 in | report |
| July 29, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 614 | 1 in | report |
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.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you go.
About Handkerchief Lake
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. (fs.usda.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Public land at Handkerchief Lake
Handkerchief Lake is less than 0.1 miles outside the edge of Flathead National Forest.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Handkerchief Lake?
Fishing Handkerchief Lake usually means Arctic Grayling: Arctic Grayling accounts for 15 of 26 plants on record, ahead of Cutthroat Trout. Arctic Grayling was last stocked September 20, 2024, averaging 2.1 in. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked August 31, 2021, averaging 1.8 in.
When is Handkerchief Lake stocked?
Last stocked September 20, 2024. It is stocked about 3.3 times a year since 2017, most often in July and August. No plants recorded in 2023.
How big are the fish stocked at Handkerchief Lake?
Stocked fish average 2 in. Arctic Grayling average 2.1 in. Cutthroat Trout average 1.8 in.
How do you get on Handkerchief Lake?
It is float tube friendly. The nearest town is Hungry Horse. Facilities include camping and 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.
Which lakes near Handkerchief Lake were stocked more recently?
Blue Lake (7.8 mi) was stocked more recently. Blue Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout.