Northwest Reel Life March 2025 Volume 4 Issue 5 - Flipbook - Page 17
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MATTHEW ICE FISHING LOCATIONS
Why stop fishing just
because it’s not flip-flops
and t-shirt weather? The
seasons may change,
and the boat may be
winterized and put away for
storage, but that doesn’t
mean we have to stop our
fishing adventures. On the
contrary, there is something
to say about the hard
water fishing experience
when the temperatures
drop. Here in Montana,
ice fishing is just another
part of the ebb and flow of
the outdoor lifestyle many
residents share and love.
Candidly, I have not icefished on these bodies of
water, yet. I have, however,
fished most of them and
we even have several
episodes at a few of the
mentioned locations with
future plans to highlight
the other fisheries! Without
further ado, here's a
detailed exploration of
five fantastic ice-fishing
spots in Montana. Let's
dive into each location to
understand why they're
great choices for ice fishing
enthusiasts.
1. FORT PECK RESERVOIR
Fort Peck Reservoir is a
premier destination for ice
fishing in Montana. This
massive reservoir stretches
across more than 245,000
acres, making it one of the
largest bodies of water in
the state. The reservoir's
vast size provides a diverse
habitat that supports a
variety of fish species,
including northern pike,
walleye, lake trout, and
smallmouth bass. You may
recall a chinook salmon
episode filmed in the late
summer with the NWF
crew and Shelby Ross of
Ross Outdoor Adventures.
While the chinook are
certainly appealing, the ice
fishing appears to be in its
own class as well!
The reservoir's northern
pike population is
particularly noteworthy,
with anglers regularly
catching specimens of
over 20 pounds. During the
winter months, these fish
are more accessible as they
move into shallower waters
under the ice. Ice fishing
at Fort Peck requires
careful planning due to its
size and the potential for
rapidly changing weather
conditions. However, for
those willing to brave the
elements and the drive, the
rewards can be substantial.
Local guides and outfitters
offer ice fishing tours and
equipment rentals, which
can be particularly helpful
for those unfamiliar with
the area. The reservoir's
remote location also
means that anglers
can enjoy a relatively
undisturbed experience,
surrounded by the stark
beauty of Montana's winter
landscape. The isolation is
perhaps one of the major
draws to the area - Circle,
MT, just southeast of
Fort Peck, is the farthest
location away from a
Starbucks in the contiguous
United
States.
