Salmon Lake fishing

Fishing at Salmon Lake has Kokanee Salmon and Cutthroat Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.2 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

May 8, 2024

Plants on record

17

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

2.8 in

Elevation

3,909.4 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town
Seeley Lake
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping

Salmon Lake State Park has a boat launch, 24 campsites including one hike-bike site, flush and vault toilets, and ADA-accessible facilities. About 32 miles northeast of Missoula near Seeley Lake.

Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes

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How Salmon Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of May. In 2024 it was May 8, 2024, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2018.

Harpers Lake (4.8 mi), Placid Lake (5.9 mi), and Upsata Lake (8.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Harpers Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Placid Lake is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon and Cutthroat Trout.

Fish at Salmon Lake

Fishing Salmon Lake is most likely to be for Kokanee Salmon. Kokanee Salmon accounts for 13 of 17 plants on record, ahead of Cutthroat Trout.

Around the dates Salmon Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 51.2°F in May, 40.5°F in April, 59.9°F in June, 69.4°F in July. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Kokanee Salmon 13 plants
Plants
13 of 17
Last stocked
May 8, 2024
Average length
2.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Kokanee Salmon guide.

Cutthroat Trout 4 plants
Plants
4 of 17
Last stocked
July 19, 2014
Average length
4.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Cutthroat Trout guide.

Fishing Salmon Lake

Salmon Lake provides fishing opportunities for a variety of species. The lake is home to fish including rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook and bull trout. Anglers may also find largemouth bass, white mountain whitefish, kokanee salmon, yellow perch, and northern pike. Visitors can try their luck reeling in a fresh catch at Salmon Lake.

Sources: fwp.mt.gov

Fish stocked per year

  • 110,0002011
  • 50,5162012
  • 70,0082013
  • 21,7072014
  • 15,4442015
  • 15,0122016
  • 19,8722017
  • 50,0072019
  • 40,0002020
  • 43,5602021
  • 50,0012022
  • 32,3562023
  • 43,0142024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 17 plants Showing 17 plants

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 8, 2024 Kokanee Salmon 43,014 2.5 in report
April 28, 2023 Kokanee Salmon 32,356 2.68 in report
May 9, 2022 Kokanee Salmon 50,001 2.25 in report
May 5, 2021 Kokanee Salmon 43,560 2.74 in report
May 21, 2020 Kokanee Salmon 40,000 2.5 in report
June 5, 2019 Kokanee Salmon 50,007 2.5 in report
May 14, 2017 Kokanee Salmon 19,872 2.22 in report
April 27, 2016 Kokanee Salmon 15,012 2.01 in report
May 6, 2015 Kokanee Salmon 15,444 2.5 in report
July 19, 2014 Cutthroat Trout 21,707 3.8 in report
May 30, 2013 Cutthroat Trout 10,008 3.9 in report
May 30, 2013 Cutthroat Trout 10,000 4.85 in report
April 30, 2013 Kokanee Salmon 50,000 2 in report
May 2, 2012 Kokanee Salmon 50,516 2.3 in report
June 6, 2011 Cutthroat Trout 10,000 4.78 in report
June 6, 2011 Kokanee Salmon 50,000 2 in report
May 23, 2011 Kokanee Salmon 50,000 2 in report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes