Lion Lake fishing

Lion Lake fishing has Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, and Lake Whitefish. It is stocked about 2.8 times a year since 2011, most often in February and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and Largemouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch, and dawn, dusk, and night for Black Crappie.

Lion Lake
Photo: USDA Forest Service Northern Region, Public domain
Last stocked
June 4, 2026
· Cutthroat Trout
Plants on record
44
Since 2011
Species stocked
2 (+6 also recorded)
Average size
12.4 in
Elevation
3,452 ft

Fish at Lion Lake

2 stocked · 6 confirmed present

Around the dates Lion Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 22.3°F in February, 50.9°F in May, 59°F in June, 39.1°F in April. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 35 plants · last May 6, 2020 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked May 6, 2020 · avg 13.8 in · 35 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

How Lion Lake is stocked

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Fish stocked in 2011

2,025

Fish stocked in 2012

6,615

Fish stocked in 2013

1,341

Fish stocked in 2014

1,050

Fish stocked in 2015

1,025

Fish stocked in 2016

926

Fish stocked in 2017

1,225

Fish stocked in 2018

550

Fish stocked in 2019

1,225

Fish stocked in 2020

1,251

Fish stocked in 2021

3,200

Fish stocked in 2022

6,500

Fish stocked in 2023

1,508

Fish stocked in 2024

1,500

Fish stocked in 2025

1,505

Fish stocked in 2026

1,500

Stocking history

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 4, 2026Cutthroat Trout1,5009.26 inreport
May 29, 2025Cutthroat Trout1,5057.42 inreport
June 4, 2024Cutthroat Trout1,5008.3 inreport
May 18, 2023Cutthroat Trout1,5088.59 inreport
October 18, 2022Cutthroat Trout50010 inreport
October 3, 2022Cutthroat Trout5,0002.21 inreport
June 22, 2022Cutthroat Trout5008.42 inreport
May 6, 2022Cutthroat Trout5008.3 inreport
September 28, 2021Cutthroat Trout3,2001.93 inreport
May 6, 2020Rainbow Trout1,0008.59 inreport
February 20, 2020Rainbow Trout5015.83 inreport
February 20, 2020Rainbow Trout2017.36 inreport
June 19, 2019Rainbow Trout18811.26 inreport
May 1, 2019Rainbow Trout81210.72 inreport
February 21, 2019Rainbow Trout2009.18 inreport
February 21, 2019Rainbow Trout2519.76 inreport
May 22, 2018Rainbow Trout5009.54 inreport
February 20, 2018Rainbow Trout5015.22 inreport
May 17, 2017Rainbow Trout1,0009.38 inreport
February 14, 2017Rainbow Trout529.61 inreport
February 14, 2017Rainbow Trout2017.71 inreport
February 14, 2017Rainbow Trout2007.47 inreport
April 7, 2016Rainbow Trout2759.81 inreport
March 16, 2016Rainbow Trout3759.38 inreport
February 18, 2016Rainbow Trout523.3 inreport
February 18, 2016Rainbow Trout2509 inreport
February 18, 2016Rainbow Trout2117.7 inreport
March 25, 2015Rainbow Trout8009.53 inreport
February 24, 2015Rainbow Trout2008.8 inreport
February 24, 2015Rainbow Trout2523.2 inreport
April 24, 2014Rainbow Trout1,0009.7 inreport
February 20, 2014Rainbow Trout2517.5 inreport
February 20, 2014Rainbow Trout1524.5 inreport
February 20, 2014Rainbow Trout1028 inreport
April 11, 2013Rainbow Trout9009.9 inreport
February 20, 2013Rainbow Trout3608.39 inreport
February 20, 2013Rainbow Trout5016.44 inreport
February 20, 2013Rainbow Trout3122.78 inreport
September 19, 2012Rainbow Trout5,5245.38 inreport
May 16, 2012Rainbow Trout2659.95 inreport
May 3, 2012Rainbow Trout75010.1 inreport
February 22, 2012Rainbow Trout7621.63 inreport
September 22, 2011Rainbow Trout1,0004.9 inreport
May 10, 2011Rainbow Trout1,02510.53 inreport

Access and facts

Nearest town
Hungry Horse
Facilities
restrooms

About 39-acre lake 4 miles from Hungry Horse on the road to Hungry Horse Dam. Flathead NF runs the North and South Lion Lake picnic sites here: day use, vault toilets, no drinking water, no fee, with lake fishing and non-motorized boating listed. FWP maps it 88 ft deep.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you go.

About Lion Lake

Photo of Lion Lake
USDA Forest Service Northern Region, Public domain

Nearest lakes

Lake Five 6.5 mi last stocked May 8, 2026 Halfmoon Lake 7.1 mi last stocked May 8, 2026 Spoon Lake 8.8 mi last stocked June 3, 2017 Lost Lake 10.5 mi last stocked May 6, 2026 Wildcat Lake 12.6 mi last stocked July 20, 2022

Public land at Lion Lake

Lion Lake is 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 Lion Lake?

Fishing Lion Lake usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 35 of 44 plants on record, ahead of Cutthroat Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 6, 2020, averaging 13.8 in. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked June 4, 2026, averaging 7.2 in. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie, plus 2 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Lion Lake stocked?

Last stocked June 4, 2026. It is stocked about 2.8 times a year since 2011, most often in February and May.

How big are the fish stocked at Lion Lake?

Stocked fish average 12.4 in. Rainbow Trout average 13.8 in. Cutthroat Trout average 7.2 in.

How do you get on Lion Lake?

The nearest town is Hungry Horse. Facilities include restrooms. About 39-acre lake 4 miles from Hungry Horse on the road to Hungry Horse Dam. Flathead NF runs the North and South Lion Lake picnic sites here: day use, vault toilets, no drinking water, no fee, with lake fishing and non-motorized boating listed. FWP maps it 88 ft deep.

Sources (4) +